Definition: The term "stingy" refers to an unwillingness to give or share, particularly in terms of money or resources. It is often associated with a lack of generosity and a focus on self-preservation at the expense of others' needs.

Biblical Context: The Bible addresses the concept of stinginess in various passages, often contrasting it with the virtues of generosity and charity. Stinginess is generally viewed negatively, as it reflects a heart that is not aligned with God's call to love and serve others.

Old Testament References:

1. Proverbs 11:24-25 : "One gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds what is right, only to become poor. A generous soul will prosper, and he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed." This passage highlights the paradox that those who give freely often receive more in return, while those who are stingy may find themselves lacking.

2. Proverbs 28:22 : "A stingy man hastens after wealth and does not know that poverty awaits him." Here, the pursuit of wealth through stinginess is shown to be ultimately futile, as it leads to spiritual and sometimes material poverty.

3. Ecclesiastes 5:13 : "There is a grievous evil I have seen under the sun: wealth hoarded to the harm of its owner." This verse warns against the dangers of hoarding wealth, which can harm the individual both spiritually and relationally.

New Testament References:

1. 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 : "Consider 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 out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver." The Apostle Paul encourages believers to give generously and willingly, contrasting this with the negative implications of stinginess.

2. James 2:15-16 : "Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you tells him, 'Go in peace; stay warm and well fed,' but does not provide for his physical needs, what good is that?" This passage underscores the importance of practical generosity, implying that mere words without action are insufficient.

Theological Implications: Stinginess is often seen as a reflection of a heart that is not fully trusting in God's provision. It can indicate a reliance on material wealth rather than on God's promises. The Bible encourages believers to be generous, reflecting God's own generosity towards humanity.

Practical Application: Christians are called to examine their attitudes towards wealth and possessions, ensuring that they are not hoarding resources or withholding aid from those in need. Generosity is a key aspect of Christian discipleship, and believers are encouraged to give freely and joyfully, trusting that God will provide for their needs.1. (a.) Meanly covetous or petty; stingy; closefisted.

2. (adv.) In a miser manner.

3596. kilay -- a rascal
... churl. Or kelay {kay-lah'-ee}; from kuwl in the sense of withholding; stingy --
churl. see HEBREW kuwl. 3595, 3596. kilay or kelay. 3597 . Strong's Numbers
/hebrew/3596.htm - 6k

How those are to be Admonished who Desire not the Things of Others ...
... For a fig-tree without fruit cumbers the ground, when the soul of the stingy
keeps unprofitably what might have benefited many. ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/chapter xxi how those are.htm

Concerning the Exhortation to be Addressed Many at Once, that it ...
... that the soft-hearted be so inflamed to zeal that yet fire be not added to the wrathful;
that liberality in giving be so infused into the stingy that yet ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/chapter xxxvi concerning the exhortation.htm

Time Changes Nations' Dresses --And Fortunes.
... and the due proportion of the size, in that they were neither prodigally long across
the shins, nor immodestly scanty between the knees, nor stingy to the ...
/.../tertullian/on the pallium/chapter i time changes nations dressesand.htm

The Second Part.
... In all cheape and easie duties, prodigall: stingy & slothfull in the waighty
things of the Law: these have at command good words, countenance, yea teares ...
/.../ward/a coal from the altar to kindle the holy fire of zeale/the second part.htm

Wrong Derivation of the Word Theos the Name Indicative of the True ...
... be a foot in diameter. Thus far you must confess [843] men were stingy in
even celestial objects. In process of time their ambitious ...
/.../tertullian/ad nationes/chapter iv wrong derivation of the.htm

On the Fall
... accuse our parents of grudging it to us, and listen to the voice of the tempter,
as Eve did, when the serpent tried to make out that God was stingy to her ...
/.../kingsley/the good news of god/sermon xxxvi on the fall.htm

Chapter xxxi
... Apparently, Laban himself was doing far better than when Jacob first arrived. But
Laban's sons have too much of the stingy spirit of their father. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxi.htm

Glossary
... Namely. Specially. Onehead. Union. Out! Alas. Pincher. A covetous or stingy person.
Ravishing. Ecstasy. Reckless. Indifferent. Ronker. A whisperer. Ronner. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/glossary.htm

Beauty for Ashes
... men require substantial meals amid their exhausting toil; and, as I feel that the
Lord of the harvest would not have his laborers treated stingy, I have to ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/beauty for ashes.htm

Meditations of the Misery of a Man not Reconciled to God in Christ ...
... for all the benefits which God bestowed on them, they became malcontent with their
present state, as if God had dealt enviously or stingy with them; and ...
/.../bayly/the practice of piety/meditations of the misery of.htm

stingy (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (a.) Meanly covetous or petty; stingy; closefisted. 2. (adv.) In a miser
manner. Multi-Version Concordance stingy (1 Occurrence). ...
/n/stingy.htm - 6k

Forget (77 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 9:6 But do not forget that he who sows with a stingy hand will
also reap a stingy crop, and that he who sows bountifully will also reap ...
/f/forget.htm - 31k

Crop (33 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 9:6 But do not forget that he who sows with a stingy hand will
also reap a stingy crop, and that he who sows bountifully will also reap ...
/c/crop.htm - 17k

Narrow (21 Occurrences)
... 5. (superl.) Contracted; of limited scope; illiberal; bigoted; as, a narrow mind;
narrow views. 6. (superl.) Parsimonious; stingy; covetous; selfish. ...
/n/narrow.htm - 14k

Niger (1 Occurrence)

/n/niger.htm - 7k

Generous (17 Occurrences)
... spirited; courageous. 3. (a.) Open-handed; free to give; not close or stingy;
munificent; as, a generous friend or father. 4. (a ...
/g/generous.htm - 11k

Miserly (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Like a miser; very covetous; sordid; stingy.
Multi-Version Concordance Miserly (1 Occurrence). ...
/m/miserly.htm - 6k

Miserable (11 Occurrences)
... 3. (a.) Worthless; mean; despicable; as, a miserable fellow; a miserable dinner.
4. (a.) Avaricious; stingy; miserly. 5. (n.) A miserable person. ...
/m/miserable.htm - 10k

Pinch (3 Occurrences)
... the shoe pinches. 7. (vi) To take hold; to grip, as a dog does. 8. (vi)
To spare; to be stingy; to be covetous. 9. (n.) A close ...
/p/pinch.htm - 8k

Churlish (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Like a churl; rude; cross-grained; ungracious;
surly; illiberal; stingy. 2. (a.) Wanting pliancy ...
/c/churlish.htm - 7k

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