Liberality, or generosity, is a virtue highly esteemed in the Christian faith, reflecting the character of God who is abundantly generous to His creation. The exercise of liberality is not merely a matter of giving, but of giving according to one's ability, as guided by the principles laid out in Scripture.

Biblical Foundation

The concept of giving according to one's ability is rooted in the teachings of both the Old and New Testaments. In the Old Testament, the principle is evident in the laws concerning offerings and tithes. For instance, Deuteronomy 16:17 instructs, "Everyone must appear with a gift as he is able, according to the blessing the LORD your God has given you." This directive underscores the expectation that giving should be proportional to the blessings received from God.

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul provides further clarity on this principle. In 2 Corinthians 8:12 , he writes, "For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have." This passage emphasizes that the value of a gift is not measured by its size, but by the willingness and ability of the giver. Paul commends the Macedonian churches for their generosity, noting that they gave "according to their ability, and even beyond it" (2 Corinthians 8:3), highlighting their sacrificial spirit.

Examples of Liberality According to Ability

The early church provides a model of liberality exercised according to ability. In Acts 11:29 , during a time of famine, "the disciples, each according to his ability, decided to send relief to the brothers living in Judea." This collective effort demonstrates a community acting in unity, each contributing as they were able to meet the needs of others.

Another notable example is found in the account of the widow's offering. In Mark 12:41-44 , Jesus observes a poor widow who contributes two small coins to the temple treasury. He remarks, "Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. For they all contributed out of their surplus, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on." Her act of giving, though small in monetary value, was immense in spiritual significance because it was given out of her poverty, according to her ability.

Principles for Practicing Liberality

1. Willingness and Cheerfulness: The heart attitude in giving is crucial. Paul encourages believers in 2 Corinthians 9:7 , "Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." The act of giving should be voluntary and joyful, reflecting a heart aligned with God's purposes.

2. Proportional Giving: As seen in the examples above, giving should be proportional to one's means. This ensures that the act of giving is sustainable and does not lead to personal hardship. It also allows for a fair distribution of resources within the community of believers.

3. Faith and Trust in God: Exercising liberality according to ability requires faith in God's provision. Believers are encouraged to trust that God will supply their needs as they prioritize generosity. Philippians 4:19 assures, "And my God will supply all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus."

4. Stewardship and Responsibility: Christians are called to be good stewards of the resources entrusted to them. This involves managing one's finances wisely to ensure that there is capacity to give. The parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30) illustrates the importance of using one's resources effectively for the kingdom of God.

In summary, liberality is a reflection of God's grace and should be exercised according to one's ability, with a willing heart and trust in God's provision. The biblical model encourages believers to give proportionally, cheerfully, and responsibly, ensuring that their generosity aligns with their capacity and the needs of the community.Deuteronomy 16:10,17
And you shall keep the feast of weeks to the LORD your God with a tribute of a freewill offering of your hand, which you shall give to the LORD your God, according as the LORD your God has blessed you:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Corinthians 16:2
On the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God has prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Chapter xvii.
... them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem. ... For in this way, although
they should sometimes be ... require both to be comforted and exercised in this ...
/.../augustine/our lords sermon on the mount/chapter xvii 2.htm

Fifth Sunday after Epiphany
... But the liberality of kindness is not to be ... to resist, remembering that love must
be exercised by opposition ... No Christian should undertake to do any deed in his ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol ii/fifth sunday after epiphany.htm

"Give Ye them to Eat"
... reveals the power that is constantly exercised for our ... This should be a great
encouragement to His ... enriched in everything unto all liberality, which worketh ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 39 give ye them.htm

Calvinistic Methodism.
... This should not be forgotten when we read the bitter ... in Wales, and stirred up others
to similar liberality. ... and made him her chaplain, and exercised a sort of ...
/.../ 112 calvinistic methodism.htm

The Second Helvetic Confession, AD 1566.
... Zurich, with great kindness and liberality, endeavoring to ... control and discipline
should be exercised over the ... False or immoral teachers should not be tolerated ...
/.../ 55 the second helvetic.htm

From the Close of the General Conference of 1816 to the ...
... was not only accepted, but her liberality was highly ... to them the ordinances, exercised
discipline, held ... just that the colored congregation should pay something ...
/.../chapter 4 from the close.htm

Post-Nicene Mothers
... who, according to Ammianus Marcellinus, exercised a close and ... myself to perpetual
chastity, I should look for a ... of her divorce shows such liberality of thought ...
/.../brittain/women of early christianity/v post-nicene mothers.htm

Moral Characteristics.
... a) The peculiar forbearance which Constantine exercised toward Maximian. ... He took
care that his children should be well ... was marked by very great liberality (cf. ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/section 5 moral characteristics.htm

1 Cor. x. 13
... had borne many temptations, and had exercised themselves many ... of his own rights,
that he should make the ... Lovers, however, display this liberality in goods and ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xxiv 1 cor x.htm

Criticism of the Westminster System of Doctrine.
... even if theological exegesis should be able ... and mutilation so freely exercised against
themselves ... forbearance, forgiveness, love, and liberality; which teaches ...
/.../ 97 criticism of the.htm

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