Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Meaning:Generosity is the quality of being kind, understanding, and unselfish, especially in giving to others. In the biblical context, generosity is often associated with the willingness to give freely and abundantly, reflecting the character of God Himself. It is a virtue that is highly esteemed and encouraged throughout Scripture.
Biblical References:1.
Old Testament Examples:·
Abraham: Abraham is a notable example of generosity in the Old Testament. In
Genesis 13:9, Abraham offers Lot the first choice of land, demonstrating his willingness to put others' needs before his own.
·
Boaz: In the Book of Ruth, Boaz exemplifies generosity by allowing Ruth to glean in his fields and providing her with extra grain (
Ruth 2:8-16). His actions reflect a heart of kindness and provision.
2.
New Testament Teachings:·
Jesus' Teachings: Jesus frequently taught about the importance of generosity. In
Luke 6:38, He states, "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
·
The Early Church: The early Christians practiced generosity by sharing their possessions with those in need.
Acts 4:34-35 describes how "there were no needy ones among them, because those who owned lands or houses would sell their property, bring the proceeds from the sales, and lay them at the apostles’ feet for distribution to anyone as he had need."
3.
Apostolic Instructions:·
Paul's Exhortations: The Apostle Paul encourages believers to be generous in several of his letters. In
2 Corinthians 9:6-7, he writes, "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."
·
Timothy's Charge: Paul instructs Timothy to command the rich to be generous and willing to share, thus laying up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age (
1 Timothy 6:18-19).
Theological Significance:Generosity is a reflection of God's own nature. God is depicted as abundantly generous, providing for His creation and offering salvation through Jesus Christ.
John 3:16 highlights the ultimate act of divine generosity: "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."
Practical Application:Believers are called to emulate God's generosity in their own lives. This includes being generous with time, resources, and love.
Proverbs 11:25 states, "A generous soul will prosper, and he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed." Generosity is not only a command but also a source of blessing and joy for those who practice it.
Conclusion:Generosity is a central theme in the Bible, encouraging believers to reflect God's character through selfless giving and kindness. It is a virtue that brings glory to God and benefits both the giver and the recipient.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
a.) Of honorable birth or origin; highborn.
2. (a.) Exhibiting those qualities which are popularly regarded as belonging to high birth; noble; honorable; magnanimous; spirited; courageous.
3. (a.) Open-handed; free to give; not close or stingy; munificent; as, a generous friend or father.
4. (a.) Characterized by generosity; abundant; overflowing; as, a generous table.
5. (a.) Full of spirit or strength; stimulating; exalting; as, generous wine.
Greek
2130. eumetadotos -- ready to impart... eumetadotos Phonetic Spelling: (yoo-met-ad'-ot-os) Short Definition: willingly sharing,
ready to impart Definition: willingly sharing, ready to impart,
generous...18. agathos -- good
... Word Origin of uncertain origin Definition good NASB Word Usagegenerous (1), good
(81), good man (2), good thing (6), good things (6), goodness (1), goods (2...
2843. koinonikos -- ready to impart
... willing to communicate,generous. From koinonos; communicative, ie (pecuniarily)
liberal -- willing to communicate. see GREEK koinonos....
2104. eugenes -- noble
... noble From eu and ginomai; well born, ie (literally) high in rank, or (figuratively)
generous -- more noble, nobleman. see GREEK eu. see GREEK ginomai....
100. hadrotes -- thickness, abundance
... bounty. Word Origin from hadros (thick, well-grown) Definition thickness,
abundance NASB Word Usagegenerous gift (1). abundance....
4289. prothumos -- willing, ready
... enthusiastically willing; eager, "ready-to-go"; free, not weighed down by pre-existing
(pre-set) objections or resistance; hence, , spontaneouslygenerous, etc...
Strong's Hebrew
5081. nadib -- inclined,generous, noble... 5080, 5081. nadib. 5082 . inclined,
generous, noble. Transliteration: nadib
Phonetic Spelling: (naw-deeb') Short Definition: nobles.
...7771a. shoa -- independent, noble (in station)
... 7771, 7771a. shoa. 7771b . independent, noble (in station). Transliteration:
shoa Short Definition:generous. Word Origin from yasha...
5869. ayin -- an eye
... 1), displease* (2), displeased* (4), disregard* (1), eye (68), eyebrows* (1), eyelids*
(1), eyes (372), eyesight (1), forehead* (5),generous* (1), glares* (1...
1293. berakah -- a blessing
... Word Origin from barak Definition a blessing NASB Word Usage benefit (1), blessed
(1), blessing (48), blessings (11),generous (1), gift (3), most blessed (1...
2896a. tob -- pleasant, agreeable, good
... cheerful (3), choice (2), delightful (1), fair (1), favor (1), favorable (3), favorably
(3), festive (1), fine (3), fine ones (1), fit (1),generous* (1), glad...
52. Abishay -- "my father is Jesse," an Israelite name
... Abishai. Or (shorter) Abshay {ab-shah'ee}; from 'ab and shay; father of a gift
(ie Probablygenerous); Abishai, an Israelite -- Abishai. see HEBREW 'ab....
Library
AGenerous and Heavenly Principle
... THE FOURTH CENTURY 88 It is agenerous and heavenly principle. It is agenerous
and heavenly principle, that where a benefit is fairly...
Essay iv. TheGenerous Spirit, Who, when Brought among the Tasks...
... A SAILOR'S FORTUNE. ESSAY IV. thegenerous spirit, who, when brought Among
the tasks of real life? thegenerous spirit, who, when...
"A Fine,Generous Fellow. "
... WORDS FOR THE WISE. "A FINE,GENEROUS FELLOW.".... "What a fine,generous fellow Peyton
is!" said one of the party to me, as we met on the next day....
BeingGenerous and Loving
... THE SAYINGS OF THE WISE BEINGGENEROUS AND LOVING. He who returns evil for
good, From his house evil shall not depart. It is an honor...
Of Generosity
... From this compassion springs generosity; for none can begenerous in a supernatural
way, with faithfulness and goodwill towards all, save him who has a pitiful...
Thou Art the Man
... All his history shows him as a man of wonderfully sweet, chivalrous,generous,
swiftly compassionate nature. And so, when he hears...
Letter xxxi. --Conduct in Sickness.
... Although your illness is not serious I am sure you act like thosegenerous souls,
who, in their least discomforts go on till the worst comes to the worst, in...
Letter viii. To Demophilus, Therapeutes. About Minding Ones Own...
... And what made David [88] , the father of God, a friend of God? Even for
being good andgenerous towards enemies [89] . The Super...
Loyal to the Core
... you consult his welfare more than your own, that is the very reason why he feels
attached to you, and counts it a pleasure to serve such agenerous-hearted man...
Charity.
... hearts. Saul, after God departed from him, was not wholly destitute of
generous feeling respecting his family and kingdom. Dives...
Thesaurus
Generous (17 Occurrences)... 3. (a.) Open-handed; free to give; not close or stingy; munificent; as, a
generous friend or father.
... Multi-Version Concordance
Generous (17 Occurrences).
...Generosity (6 Occurrences)
... Generosity (6 Occurrences). Matthew 20:15 Have I not a right to do what I choose
with my own property? Or are you envious because I amgenerous?' (See RSV)....
Liberal (11 Occurrences)
... or studies. 2. (a.) Bestowing in a large and noble way, as a freeman;generous;
bounteous; open-handed; as, a liberal giver. 3. (a...
Gleaning (10 Occurrences)
... law no longer holds in the land, but the custom of allowing the poor to glean in
the grain fields and vineyards is still practiced bygenerous landlords in...
Generously (12 Occurrences)
Taxing (3 Occurrences)
... delay. Artaxerxes, in addition to hisgenerous gifts, exempted the priests
and temple-servants from all taxation (Ezra 7:24). In...
Tax (43 Occurrences)
... delay. Artaxerxes, in addition to hisgenerous gifts, exempted the priests
and temple-servants from all taxation (Ezra 7:24). In...
Vote (3 Occurrences)
... than that, he is the one who was chosen by the vote of the Churches to travel with
us, sharing our commission in the administration of thisgenerous gift to...
Vessels (210 Occurrences)
... Samuel 17:28). Thegenerous natives brought not only gifts of food but the
necessary vessels in which to cook it. An earthen vessel...
Nadab (21 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Liberal,generous. (1.) The eldest of Aaron's
four sons (Exodus 6:23; Numbers 3:2). He with his brothers...
Resources
What does the Bible say about generosity? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is Christian Socialism? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about hospitality? | GotQuestions.orgGenerous: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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