Topical Encyclopedia
The term "liberally" in the context of the Bible often refers to the act of giving generously and without reservation. This concept is deeply rooted in the character of God and is reflected in the behavior expected of His followers. The idea of liberality is associated with generosity, open-handedness, and a willingness to share one's resources with others.
Divine GenerosityGod's nature is inherently generous, and His liberality is evident throughout Scripture.
James 1:5 states, "Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." This verse highlights God's willingness to provide wisdom liberally to those who seek it, emphasizing His open-handedness and lack of reproach.
Human GenerosityBelievers are called to emulate God's generosity in their own lives.
Proverbs 11:25 declares, "A generous soul will prosper, and he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed." This proverb underscores the principle that those who give liberally will themselves be blessed. The act of giving is not only a reflection of God's character but also a means of receiving His blessings.
New Testament TeachingsThe New Testament further reinforces the importance of giving liberally. In
2 Corinthians 9:6-7 , the Apostle Paul 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." This passage encourages believers to give freely and joyfully, trusting in God's provision and the principle of sowing and reaping.
Practical ApplicationThe call to give liberally extends beyond financial resources. It includes time, talents, and acts of kindness.
Acts 20:35 records Paul quoting Jesus, saying, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." This teaching encourages believers to adopt a lifestyle of generosity, reflecting the heart of God in their interactions with others.
Old Testament ExamplesThe Old Testament also provides examples of liberality. In
Deuteronomy 15:10 , God instructs the Israelites, "Give generously to him, and do not let your heart be grieved when you do so; and because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything to which you put your hand." This commandment to give generously to the needy is accompanied by a promise of divine blessing, reinforcing the value God places on liberality.
ConclusionThe biblical concept of giving liberally is a reflection of God's own generous nature and a call for His people to live in a way that mirrors His character. Through acts of generosity, believers not only meet the needs of others but also experience the joy and blessings that come from living a life of open-handedness and grace.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
adv.) In a liberal manner.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
LIBERAL; LIBERALITY; LIBERALLYlib'-er-al, lib-er-al'-i-ti, lib'-er-al-i: The different forms of the word all refer to one who is generous, bountiful, willing and ready to give and to help. Both the Hebrew words of the Old Testament and the Greek words of the New Testament translated into the English word "liberal" have a deeper and nobler meaning than is generally conveyed by the English word. InProverbs 11:25, the liberal soul (nephesh berakhah) means a soul that carries a blessing. InIsaiah 32:5, the American Standard Revised Version has "bountiful" where the King James Version has "liberal," and inIsaiah 32:8 "noble" takes the place of "liberal" (nadhibh). The principal Greek words are haplotes literally, "simplicity," "sincerity," and charis, "grace," "favor." In1 Corinthians 16:3, "bounty" substitutes "liberality." It is well to bear in mind that a Biblical liberality can spring only out of a noble soul, and is Godlike in its genesis and spirit.
G. H. Gerberding
Greek
574. haplos -- simply, sincerely...liberally, sincerely. Adverb from haplous (in the objective sense of haplotes);
bountifully; --
liberally. see GREEK haplous. see GREEK haplotes.
...1632. ekcheo -- to pour out, fig. to bestow
... Transliteration: ekcheo Phonetic Spelling: ( ek-kheh'-o,) Short Definition: I pour
out, shed Definition: I pour out (liquid or solid); I shed, bestowliberally...
Strong's Hebrew
6059. anaq -- to serve as a necklace... anaq. 6060 . to serve as a necklace. Transliteration: anaq Phonetic Spelling:
(aw-nak') Short Definition:
liberally.
... compass about as a chain, furnish,
liberally...4530. missah -- sufficiency
... abundance, tribute. From macac (in the sense of flowing); abundance, ie
(adverbially)liberally: tribute. see HEBREW macac. 4529, 4530....
Library
Whether it Belongs to a Liberal Man Chiefly to Give?
... iv, 1) that "those who have not earned money, but have received the money earned
by others, spend it moreliberally, because they have not experienced the want...
Epistle Lix. To the Numidian Bishops, on the Redemption of their...
... brotherhood, considering all these things according to your letter, and sorrowfully
examining, have all promptly and willingly andliberally gathered together...
Prayer --A Privilege, Princely, Sacred
... At any price give me the Book of God! Lord, is it not Thy word""If any man lack
wisdom, let him ask of God? Thou givestliberally, and upbraidest not....
There was True Justice under Saturnus, but it was Banished by...
... "Now streams of milk, now streams of nectar flowed." [963]. And no wonder,
since the storehouses of the goodliberally lay open to all....
Whether Liberality is a virtue?
... to be connected with the other virtues: since many are virtuous who cannot be liberal,
for they have nothing to give; and many give or spendliberally who are...
Loving Advice for Anxious Seekers
... "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all menliberally,
and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.""James 1:5....
A Liberal Church
... It is the part of church members to dealliberally with those who lay aside their
secular employment that they may give themselves to the ministry....
"Seek First the Kingdom of God," &C.
... If God loved riches well, do ye think he would give them soliberally, and
heap them up upon some base covetous wretches? Surely no....
Treatise viii. On Works and Alms.
... Raphael the angel also witnesses the like, and exhorts that alms should be freely
andliberally bestowed, saying, "Prayer is good, with fasting and alms...
For Eight Years Gregory Has Given up the Practice Of
... of our mind, we should allow those who have the gift of speech, like some good artists
alike skilled to the utmost in their art andliberally furnished in the...
Thesaurus
Liberally (4 Occurrences)... (adv.) In a liberal manner. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. LIBERAL; LIBERALITY;
LIBERALLY.
... GH Gerberding. Multi-Version Concordance
Liberally (4 Occurrences).
...Liberality (7 Occurrences)
... is not impoverished by his liberalities. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
LIBERAL; LIBERALITY;LIBERALLY. lib'-er-al, lib-er-al'-i...
Bounty (14 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Liberality in bestowing gifts or favors; gracious or liberal giving; generosity;
munificence. 3. (n.) That which is given generously orliberally....
Upbraideth (1 Occurrence)
... James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men
liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. (KJV ASV WBS)....
Jehiel (17 Occurrences)
... (7.) A "prince" and "ruler of the house of God" who contributedliberally to the
renewal of the temple sacrifices under Josiah (2 Chronicles 35:8)....
Lacks (27 Occurrences)
... James 1:5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all
liberally and without reproach; and it will be given to him. (WEB NAS RSV NIV)....
Lacketh (17 Occurrences)
... James 1:5 But if any of you lacketh wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to all
liberally and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. (ASV WBS)....
Liberate (3 Occurrences)
Liberal (11 Occurrences)
... of the Liberal party, so called. Cf. Whig. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
LIBERAL; LIBERALITY;LIBERALLY. lib'-er-al, lib-er-al...
Generously (12 Occurrences)
... James 1:5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all
liberally and without reproach; and it will be given to him. (See NAS RSV NIV)....
Resources
What is the biblical way to lead a child to Christ? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about fear? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the meaning of “Cast your bread upon the waters” in Ecclesiastes 11:1? | GotQuestions.orgLiberally: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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