Generosity can be expressed in many forms. For example, you can exercise generosity by sharing your money, the things you own, or your time. Being generous without expecting anything in return makes us feel good when we do it with a cheerful heart.
Besides the good feelings generosity brings, there are many other reasons we should be generous. Here are just nine of them.
Because generosity pleases God
But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
Hebrews 13:16 (NKJV)
Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
2 Corinthians 9:6-7 (NASB)
Because generosity brings blessing
In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’
Acts 20:35 (NASB)
The generous man will be prosperous,
And he who waters will himself be watered.
Proverbs 11:25 (NASB)
Because our generosity serves Christ
Jesus himself said that serving others is the same as serving Him.For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’ Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’
Matthew 25:35-40 (NASB)
Because generosity is the opposite of greed
Greed leads to spiritual death but generosity is the opposite of greed.The craving of a sluggard will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work. All day long he craves for more, but the righteous give without sparing.
Proverbs 21:25-26 (NIV)
Because God expects us to help each other
At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality, as it is written: “The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.”
2 Corinthians 8:14-15 (NIV)
Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
Matthew 5:42 (NIV)
Because the preachers and teachers of God’s word deserve our support
The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. For Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and “The worker deserves his wages.”
1 Timothy 5:17-18 (NIV)
Because our generosity on Earth stores up treasure for us in heaven
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matthew 6:19-21 (NASB)
Because God has demands generosity
There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land.
Deuteronomy 15:11 (NIV)
Because you can’t out-give God
Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”May God bless you richly as you give with a cheerful and generous heart,
Luke 6:38 (NKJV)
Daniel
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