Liberality, often understood as generosity or openhandedness, is a virtue highly esteemed in the Christian faith. The Bible provides numerous exhortations encouraging believers to practice liberality, reflecting God's own generous nature. This entry explores key scriptural passages that urge Christians to be liberal in their giving and support of others.

Old Testament Foundations

The concept of liberality is deeply rooted in the Old Testament, where God's people are called to care for the needy and support the community. Deuteronomy 15:10-11 instructs, "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. There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land."

Proverbs 11:25 further emphasizes the blessings associated with generosity: "A generous soul will prosper, and he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed." This wisdom literature underscores the reciprocal nature of liberality, where the giver is also blessed.

New Testament Teachings

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ exemplifies and teaches liberality. In Luke 6:38 , He states, "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 back to you." This passage highlights the abundant return that comes from generous giving.

The Apostle Paul also provides clear exhortations to the early church regarding liberality. 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." Paul encourages believers to give willingly and joyfully, trusting in God's provision.

Practical Expressions of Liberality

The early church is depicted as a community marked by liberality. Acts 2:44-45 describes the believers' practice: "All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they shared with anyone who was in need." This communal sharing reflects the deep commitment to meeting the needs of others.

Paul's letters often commend churches for their generosity. In Philippians 4:15-16 , he acknowledges the Philippians' support: "And you Philippians, in the early days of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church but you partnered with me in the matter of giving and receiving. For even while I was in Thessalonica, you provided for my needs once and again." Their liberality is presented as a model for others.

Spiritual Significance

Liberality is not merely a financial transaction but a spiritual act of worship and obedience. Hebrews 13:16 exhorts, "And do not neglect to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased." This verse highlights that acts of generosity are pleasing to God and integral to the Christian life.

In summary, the Bible consistently calls believers to practice liberality, reflecting God's own generosity and fulfilling the command to love one's neighbor. Through liberality, Christians demonstrate their faith, support the community, and participate in God's work on earth.Luke 3:11
He answers and said to them, He that has two coats, let him impart to him that has none; and he that has meat, let him do likewise.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Luke 11:41
But rather give alms of such things as you have; and, behold, all things are clean to you.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Acts 20:35
I have showed you all things, how that so laboring you ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Corinthians 16:1
Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do you.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Timothy 6:17,18
Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

St. Ambrose Answers Objections Made to the Uselessness of his ...
... Ambrose answers objections made to the uselessness of his exhortations in favour ...
sustenance by labour, and seek with their hands supplies for their liberality. ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xi st ambrose answers.htm

Exhortations to those who are Called
... you find that you are effectually called, I have three exhortations to you ... about
doing good, and send abroad the refreshing influence of our liberality, we walk ...
/.../watson/a divine cordial/exhortations to those who are.htm

After Saying what Return must be Made for the Service of the Above ...
... It is therefore a good thing for us to be bedewed with the exhortations of the divine
Scriptures, and that the ... Thus good-will is better than liberality itself. ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xxxii after saying what.htm

Refutation of the Calumnies by which it is Attempted to Throw ...
... the principle that God gives no less a display of his liberality when he ... All the
Apostles abound in exhortations, admonitions and rebukes, for the purpose of ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 16 refutation of the.htm

Love that Can Hate
... irrelevant interruption in the sequence of the apostolic exhortations, we shall ... that
love shall weaken the condemnation of wrong, and modern liberality, both in ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/love that can hate.htm

Severinus in Germany.
... By his exhortations, he made such an impression on the king, that he ... to be humble,
should this year receive nourishment from your liberality." All, therefore ...
/.../neander/light in the dark places/severinus in germany.htm

The True Spirit of Missions.
... the guidance of the Holy Spirit, uniformly enforce their exhortations by tender ... all
iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people." Is liberality required ...
/.../dibble/thoughts on missions/chapter i the true spirit.htm

Efforts of Julian to Establish Paganism and to Abolish Our Usages. ...
... teachers and readers to give instruction in pagan doctrines and exhortations, and
to ... "Habituate the pagans to the exercise of this liberality, by showing them ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of sozomenus/chapter xvi efforts of julian to.htm

Peter's First Sermon
... We have only a summary of his exhortations, the gist of which was earnest ... to shame
so much profession of brotherhood, justified because the liberality of the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/peters first sermon.htm

(On the Fast of Seventh Month, V. )
... of common devotions, confidently inciting you with fatherly exhortations to make ...
slain by holy aspirations, avarice is cast out by liberality, and burdensome ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leo/writings of leo the great/sermon xc on the fast.htm

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