Liberality, often understood as generosity or openhandedness, is a virtue highly esteemed in the biblical narrative. The Scriptures consistently highlight the blessings associated with a generous spirit and the curses or negative consequences that accompany a lack of liberality. This entry explores the biblical perspective on liberality and the repercussions of its absence.

Biblical Foundation of Liberality

The Bible frequently exhorts believers to practice generosity. Proverbs 11:24-25 states, "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 underscores the paradoxical truth that giving leads to greater gain, while withholding leads to poverty. The principle of sowing and reaping is evident here, where liberality results in divine favor and abundance.

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul encourages the Corinthian church to excel in the grace of giving. 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 reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." Paul emphasizes that generosity should be voluntary and joyful, reflecting the heart of God.

Consequences of a Lack of Liberality

The absence of liberality is often associated with various curses or negative outcomes in the biblical text. Proverbs 28:22 warns, "A stingy man hastens after wealth and does not know that poverty awaits him." This proverb highlights the futility of greed and the inevitable poverty that follows a lack of generosity. The pursuit of wealth without a generous spirit leads to spiritual and material impoverishment.

In the parable of the rich fool, Jesus illustrates the dangers of hoarding wealth without regard for others. Luke 12:20-21 recounts God's words to the rich man: "But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be required of you. Then who will own what you have accumulated?' This is how it will be for anyone who stores up treasure for himself but is not rich toward God." The rich man's lack of liberality results in a divine rebuke and the loss of his soul, demonstrating the ultimate curse of greed.

The Call to Generosity

The biblical call to liberality is not merely a suggestion but a command that reflects God's character. In Deuteronomy 15:7-8 , the Israelites are instructed, "If there is a poor man among your brothers within any of the gates in the land that the LORD your God is giving you, you are not to harden your heart or shut your hand from your poor brother. Instead, you are to open your hand to him and freely loan him whatever he needs." This command underscores the expectation of generosity as a reflection of God's provision and care for His people.

The early church exemplified this principle in Acts 4:32-35 , where believers shared their possessions so that "there were no needy ones among them." This communal liberality was a powerful testimony to the transformative power of the Gospel and the unity of the Spirit.

Conclusion

The biblical narrative consistently affirms that liberality is a virtue that brings blessing, while its absence leads to various curses. Generosity reflects the heart of God and aligns believers with His purposes, resulting in spiritual and material prosperity. Conversely, a lack of liberality invites divine disfavor and the impoverishment of the soul.Proverbs 28:27
He that gives to the poor shall not lack: but he that hides his eyes shall have many a curse.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Blessedness of Giving
... "He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack; but he ... Often, as wealth increases
liberality is starved out, and the ... is what enriches the giver and brings down a ...
/.../various/the wonders of prayer/the blessedness of giving.htm

Christian Sympathy
... among those who seek our help has checked much liberality. ... the smoke which marks
the daily toil that brings food to ... the strong man boweth down for lack of bread ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 8 1863/christian sympathy.htm

Second Sunday after Epiphany
... that giveth, let him do it with liberality; he that ... This error is attributable to
our lack of faith ... employing the expression is that faith brings gifts, which ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol ii/second sunday after epiphany.htm

The Spiced Wine of My Pomegranate;
... the giver, but the heart overflowing with liberality is met ... are so numerous that
thou wilt never lack a reason ... value of the blessings which He brings thee, for ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/till he come/the spiced wine of my.htm

A Discourse of Mercifulness
... ministry of the Word not only brings light with ... Let the springs of your liberality
run among the ... They lack the pomegranate (says Gregory Nazianzen) who have no ...
/.../15 a discourse of mercifulness.htm

On the Death of his Father.
... distress, while a more liberal beneficence brings stable honour ... great and so boundless
is her love of liberality. ... most mindless women, who, for lack of beauty ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xviii on the death.htm

Book I.
... C. This way of arguing is intricate and brings the simplicity ... For to have all and
lack nothing is the virtue ... But your liberality is so great that, in order to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/jerome/the principal works of st jerome/book i.htm

Of Prayer --A Perpetual Exercise of Faith. The Daily Benefits ...
... very things which flow from his spontaneous liberality should be ... he thus threatens:
"When ye make many prayers, I ... of James, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 20 of prayera perpetual.htm

Book ii. Jerome Answers the Second, Third, and Fourth Propositions ...
... As in good works it is God who brings them to ... had a weak stomach, and was subject
to many infirmities, to ... is such as this the host cannot possibly lack anything ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/book ii jerome answers the.htm

The Evangelical Revival.
... also be remembered (for it serves to explain this, as well as many other apparent ...
they knew their sins were forgiven they were under the wrath and curse of God ...
/.../chapter ix the evangelical revival.htm

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