In biblical terms, "outlay" refers to the expenditure or disbursement of resources, whether financial, material, or spiritual, for a specific purpose. The concept of outlay is closely tied to stewardship, generosity, and the wise management of resources as taught in Scripture.

Old Testament Context

The Old Testament provides numerous examples of outlay, particularly in the context of offerings and sacrifices. The Israelites were commanded to bring various offerings to the Lord, which required a significant outlay of their resources. For instance, in the construction of the Tabernacle, the people of Israel were called to contribute materials: "Everyone whose heart stirred him and everyone whose spirit was willing came and brought the LORD’s offering for the work of the Tent of Meeting, for all its service, and for the sacred garments" (Exodus 35:21). This voluntary outlay was an expression of devotion and obedience to God.

The principle of tithing, as outlined in Leviticus 27:30-32, also represents a form of outlay. The Israelites were instructed to set aside a tenth of their produce and livestock as holy to the Lord. This practice underscored the importance of acknowledging God's provision and sovereignty over all resources.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of outlay is expanded to include the sacrificial giving and support of the early Christian community. The believers in the early church demonstrated their commitment to one another through generous outlay: "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" (Acts 4:34-35). This communal sharing was a tangible expression of love and unity within the body of Christ.

The Apostle Paul also addresses the principle of outlay in his letters, encouraging believers to give generously and cheerfully. 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 out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver" . Here, Paul emphasizes the spiritual blessings that accompany generous outlay and the importance of giving with the right heart attitude.

Spiritual Implications

The biblical teaching on outlay extends beyond material resources to include the outlay of time, talents, and spiritual gifts. Believers are called to invest their lives in the service of God and others, as seen in Romans 12:1, where Paul urges, "Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship" . This call to sacrificial living reflects the ultimate outlay demonstrated by Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for the redemption of humanity.

In summary, the biblical concept of outlay encompasses the faithful and generous use of all resources entrusted to believers. It is an act of worship, stewardship, and love, reflecting the character of God and advancing His kingdom purposes on earth.1. (v. t.) To lay out; to spread out; to display.

2. (n.) A laying out or expending.

3. (n.) That which is expended; expenditure.

4. (n.) An outlying haunt.

5313. niphqah -- an outlay
... 5312, 5313. niphqah. 5314 . an outlay. Transliteration: niphqah Phonetic
Spelling: (nif-kaw') Short Definition: cost. Word Origin ...
/hebrew/5313.htm - 6k

Whether the Matter of Magnificence is Great Expenditure?
... iv, 2) that "a magnificent man will produce a more magnificent work with equal,"
ie proportionate, "expenditure." Now expenditure is the outlay of a sum of ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the matter of magnificence.htm

The Anointing of Jesus.
... Our Lord replies that so long as one is day by day considering the poor and relieving
their necessities, he need not grudge an occasional outlay to manifest ...
/.../the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol ii/i the anointing of jesus.htm

Prayer Incidents in the Life of Our Lord
... He is reviewing the poor results of His ministry and remarking upon the feeble
responses of man to God's vast outlay of love and mercy. ...
/.../bounds/the reality of prayer/viii prayer incidents in the.htm

Perfect Modesty Will Abstain from Whatever Tends to Sin, as Well ...
... For, albeit comeliness is not to be censured, [154] as being a bodily happiness,
as being an additional outlay of the divine plastic art, as being a kind of ...
/.../tertullian/on the apparel of women/chapter ii perfect modesty will abstain.htm

Love and Law.
... To meet the heavy outlay for all this, other and less desirable portions of the
estate were sold, until, finally, only about three hundred acres of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/arthur/words for the wise/love and law.htm

Ranee Khet Mission.
... The report made by them was so favourable that a considerable outlay was sanctioned
for turning it into a retreat for English soldiers from the heat of the ...
/.../chapter xxii ranee khet mission.htm

The Folly of this Heresy it Dissects and Mutilates the Deity. ...
... [6655] And in this we have the first augury of our victory; because even merely
to point out that which is concealed with so great an outlay of artifice, [6656 ...
/.../tertullian/against the valentinians/chapter iii the folly of this.htm

To Mr. W. Hitchin
... In conclusion, I must beg that you will collate my present account with my last,
as I am apprehensive that I may have charged the same outlay twice; the copy ...
//christianbookshelf.org/borrow/letters of george borrow/to mr w hitchin.htm

Of the Device of a Certain Old Man by which Some Work was Found ...
... those parts they were all utterly ignorant of this language), and did no good to
anybody except that which resulted from this device and large outlay, as the ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xxxix of the device.htm

Prayerlessness in the Pulpit
... who are behind these preachers, who furnish their equipment, are men and women in
whose characters prayer has become to be serious labour, their outlay will be ...
/.../bounds/the weapon of prayer/viii prayerlessness in the pulpit.htm

Outlay (2 Occurrences)
...Outlay (2 Occurrences). ... (See RSV). Ezra 6:4 three rows of rolled stones, and a row
of new wood, and the outlay let be given out of the king's house. (YLT). ...
/o/outlay.htm - 7k

Outlaws (6 Occurrences)

/o/outlaws.htm - 8k

Outlet (3 Occurrences)

/o/outlet.htm - 7k

Outgoing (10 Occurrences)
... & vb. n.) of Outgo. 2. (n.) The act or the state of going out. 3. (n.) That which
goes out; outgo; outlay. 4. (n.) The extreme limit; the place of ending. ...
/o/outgoing.htm - 10k

Layer (4 Occurrences)
... NIV). Ezra 6:4 three rows of rolled stones, and a row of new wood, and the
outlay let be given out of the king's house. (See NAS). ...
/l/layer.htm - 7k

Layers (2 Occurrences)
... Layers (2 Occurrences). Ezra 6:4 three rows of rolled stones, and a row of new wood,
and the outlay let be given out of the king's house. (See NAS). ...
/l/layers.htm - 6k

Rich (140 Occurrences)
... 4. (superl.) Composed of valuable or costly materials or ingredients; procured at
great outlay; highly valued; precious; sumptuous; costly; as, a rich dress ...
/r/rich.htm - 37k

Expense (7 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) That which is expended, laid out, or consumed; cost; outlay; charge; --
sometimes with the notion of loss or damage to those on whom the expense falls ...
/e/expense.htm - 8k

Expensive (6 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Occasioning expense; calling for liberal outlay;
costly; dear; liberal; as, expensive dress; an expensive house or family. ...
/e/expensive.htm - 8k

Daphne
... It was a place of great natural beauty, and the Seleucid kings spared no outlay
in adding to its attractions. The precincts enjoyed the right of asylum. ...
/d/daphne.htm - 8k

Should a Christian mortgage a home? | GotQuestions.org

Outlay: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus