Bountifulness, in the biblical context, refers to the quality of being generous and abundant in giving, often associated with God's provision and the expected response of believers in their own lives. This concept is deeply rooted in the character of God and is reflected in the lives of those who follow Him.

Divine Bountifulness

The Bible frequently highlights God's bountiful nature, emphasizing His generosity and provision for His creation. In Psalm 65:11, the psalmist declares, "You crown the year with Your bounty, and Your paths overflow with plenty." This verse illustrates God's abundant provision, portraying Him as one who ensures the earth is fruitful and sustains life.

God's bountifulness is also evident in His grace and mercy. Ephesians 1:7-8 states, "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding." Here, the apostle Paul speaks of the lavishness of God's grace, underscoring the abundance with which He bestows His spiritual blessings upon believers.

Human Response to Bountifulness

Believers are called to emulate God's bountifulness in their own lives. This is often expressed through acts of generosity and charity. In 2 Corinthians 9:6-7, 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 generously and willingly, reflecting the bountiful nature of God in their actions.

The principle of bountiful giving is not limited to material wealth but extends to all aspects of life, including time, talents, and love. In Luke 6:38, Jesus teaches, "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." This teaching emphasizes the reciprocal nature of generosity and the blessings that flow from a bountiful spirit.

Bountifulness in Community

The early church exemplified bountifulness in their communal life. Acts 2:44-45 describes the believers as having "all things in common" and selling their possessions to distribute to anyone in need. This practice of sharing and generosity was a tangible expression of their faith and commitment to one another, demonstrating the transformative power of living in accordance with God's bountiful nature.

Spiritual Bountifulness

Beyond material generosity, bountifulness also encompasses spiritual abundance. In John 10:10, Jesus declares, "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." This promise of abundant life speaks to the spiritual richness available to believers through a relationship with Christ. It is a life characterized by joy, peace, and fulfillment, rooted in the bountiful grace of God.

In summary, bountifulness is a key biblical theme that reflects the generous nature of God and the expected response of His people. It encompasses both material and spiritual abundance, encouraging believers to live generously and reflect God's character in their interactions with others.BOUNTIFULNESS; BOUNTY

boun'-ti-fool-nes, boun'-ti (haplotes, "singleness," "benevolence," 2 Corinthians 9:11 the King James Version; Tobh, "to be good" (Proverbs 22:9); eulogia, "good speech," "blessing" (2 Corinthians 9:6); gamal, "to treat well" (Psalm 119:17); shoa`, "to be liberal" (Isaiah 32:5); yadh, "hand," "power"): Paul speaks of the church at Corinth "being enriched in everything unto all liberality" (the King James Version "bountifulness," 2 Corinthians 9:11). The offering of the church at Corinth for the Christians of Judea is termed a "bounty," a blessing, liberally given: "and not of extortion" (the King James Version "of covetousness," 2 Corinthians 9:5, 6). The word occurs also in 1 Kings 10:13: "Besides that which Solomon gave her of his royal bounty," literally "according to the hand of King Solomon."

L. Kaiser

572. haplotes -- singleness, hence simplicity
... sincerity (2). bountifulness, simplicity, singleness. From haplous; singleness,
ie (subjectively) sincerity (without dissimulation ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/572.htm - 7k

2 Cor. vii. 13
... but "riches of liberality;" that is, an equipoise to the greatness of their poverty,
or rather much outweighing it, was the bountifulness they displayed. ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xvi 2 cor vii.htm

And a Little after He Saith, "For as Touching the Ministering to ...
... and multiply your seed sown, and increase the growing fruits of your righteousness;
that ye may be enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth ...
/.../augustine/of the work of monks /section 18 and a little.htm

The
... In what a colour [409] ! With what a conscience! What though the door-keeper forbade
thee not, because of the bountifulness of the entertainer? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/the.htm

2 Cor. viii. 16
... For he that feels confidence as to him that ministereth [830] , and suspects not
those who are to be receivers, gives with the fuller bountifulness. ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xviii 2 cor viii.htm

John Chapter v. 24-30
... in due course, not indeed proportionably to its importance, but according to our
ability: both because you take in, not according to the bountifulness of the ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate xxii john chapter v.htm

Of the Attributes Assigned by Hilary to Each Person. The Trinity ...
... begotten, but the sweetness of the begetter and of the begotten, filling all creatures
according to their capacity with abundant bountifulness and copiousness ...
/.../augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 10 of the attributes assigned.htm

On the Fast of the Tenth Month.
... of his material possessions with which he ministers to the needy, is transformed
into eternal riches, and such wealth is begotten of this bountifulness as can ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/leo/writings of leo the great/sermon xvi on the fast.htm

Epistle Lxv. To Augustine, Bishop of the Angli .
... And, since the new Church of the Angli has been brought to the grace of Almighty
God through the bountifulness of the same Lord and thy labours, we grant to ...
/.../the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle lxv to augustine bishop.htm

Epistle Xlix. To Honoratus, Deacon .
... of Sardinia, in which they ordered all these present grievances to be redressed,
to the end that their commands, proceeding from the bountifulness of their ...
/.../the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle xlix to honoratus deacon.htm

Of the Origin of Principalities or Powers.
... as if we could believe that having none towards whom to show the blessings of His
goodness, He had been solitary, and a stranger to all bountifulness; a thing ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter vii of the origin.htm

Bountifulness (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia BOUNTIFULNESS; BOUNTY. boun'-ti-fool ... Kaiser.
Multi-Version Concordance Bountifulness (1 Occurrence). 2 Corinthians ...
/b/bountifulness.htm - 8k

Bounty (14 Occurrences)
... of industry, as husbandry or manufactures. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
BOUNTIFULNESS; BOUNTY. boun'-ti-fool-nes, boun'-ti (haplotes ...
/b/bounty.htm - 12k

Bountifully (8 Occurrences)

/b/bountifully.htm - 8k

Causeth (209 Occurrences)
... (KJV WBS). 2 Corinthians 9:11 Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness,
which causeth through us thanksgiving to God. (KJV WBS). ...
/c/causeth.htm - 38k

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