This time of year we’re always looking for ways to give to others and the bible is the perfect place to start. We’ll let Acts 20:35 set the stage for our hearts to give to others, “It’s more blessed to give than to receive.” In a world that takes, let’s Be A Generous Giver instead.
I saw the hashtag #BeAGiver earlier this week and it struck a chord with me. My mind swirled to how much we should “Be A Giver” like Our Heavenly Father and give generously, as He does.
How Do You Become A Generous Giver?
To become a generous giver like our Heavenly Father, we spend time with Him and grow in our understanding of His generosity to us.
God is the author of generosity. He gave and He gives lavishly and generously. His storehouse is overflowing and never, ever ends.
We’re on the heels of Thanksgiving and five days away from Christmas which means giving is at its prime.
This is a wonderful thing!
Many people partake in this season of giving and we cherish the delight of giving and bestowing gifts to others.
But this season of giving shouldn’t end after the holidays and fade into New Year Resolutions and new diet plans. As Christians, it should not be seasonal.
What if we become more and more like the Giver and give generously not just in this season but throughout the year? The bible gives us much to consider how we can be a generous giver.
The Giver of All Things
Do you know God to be a Giver? Part of His identity is that He is known as a Lavish Giver. THE Generous Giver.
Could we say the same for ourselves? Do we give generously and lavishly? Not just during the Christmas season, but anytime?
When we are faithful to give, we are faithfully representing God. I’m becoming more and more convinced that when we give generously, Jesus is displayed brilliantly.
I’m not speaking on a strictly monetary basis. We have been gifted with numerous gifts for us to share and give to others and the bible shows us how.
Every single gift that we have received, Jesus already paid the price in full for. When we accept His gift of salvation, we have an overflow of gifts that we can bestow on others all throughout the year!
He’s the source and we’re the vessel.
Does our giving whisper Jesus to others? Are we representing well the Generous Giver?
Generous Giver Bible Verse
Freely you have received, freely give. Matthew 10:8 NIV
Blessed are those who are generous, because they feed the poor. Proverbs 22:9 NLT
Give generously to the poor, not grudgingly, for the LORD your God will bless you in everything you do. Deuteronomy 15:10
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:6-7
Those are just a few bible verses on generous giving. What if we fixed our hearts and minds on what has been lavishly given to us so that we can lavishly give to others?
It’s a win-win! We are blessed to bless and why let it be prime giving season when the storehouse is full all year round?
10 Ways to Be A Generous Giver
Below you’ll find 10 ways to be a generous giver and additional generous giver bible verses to encourage you to be like the Giver of all things.
Generous Giver: Love.
Give the gift of love.
Bible Verse: And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13
Loving one another is only possible when we love like Him. It has to start with His love before anything else. We didn’t earn it yet He gives His love away freely and abundantly.
The gift of love can be expressed in a multitude of ways!
One out of the box way is to identify their love language and give them the love that they speak. Gary Chapman, author of The 5 Love Languages breaks this into five love categories: Words of Affirmation, Quality Time, Receiving Gifts, Physical Touch, or Acts of Service.
Give love with no strings attached. Not sure where to start? Start small. Begin by being more patient, kind, and not self-seeking. Show those around you the love given to you in Christ.
The more we fall in love with Jesus, the more we love others well!
Generous Giver: Joy.
Give the gift of joy.
Bible Verses: “Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.” The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.” Psalm 126:2-3
The Lord has done great things for us! Give the gift of joy. Throw it around like confetti. It’s contagious!
You won’t find it gift-wrapped under the tree. Instead, you’ll find it wrapped in the presence of the One who is the fountain of true joy.
Spend time with the Lord and you’ll have plenty of joy to overflow to others.
Generous Giver: Kindness.
Give the gift of kindness.
Bible Verse: He has showered his kindness on us… Ephesians 1:8
Like summer rain with the sunlight shining through, we have been showered by God’s loving-kindness.
No, we do not need the holidays to remind us to be kind. But, it’s as good a time as any to do so and give kindness away. Be kind to those you encounter.
Kindness is a popular word these days but it originated with our Heavenly Father. One of the greatest gifts you can give is kindness. True kindness gives without expecting something in return. It shows others that you care, you notice, and you love them.
Act generously, smile, give extra help, or extend grace. Don’t underestimate the power of a touch, your presence, a hug, or a listening ear.
Shower kindness on others.
Generous Giver: Presence.
Give the gift of presence.
Bible Verse: And He said, “My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest.” Exodus 33:14
No presents, or tensils, or bows needed, just a willingness to be fully present. Give it generously. Sometimes, that is all that’s needed to show someone they are loved.
Be available and present for your family. Make memories to cherish.
Show those in front of you that they are seen, heard, and important to you. May we be known for our attention and care that we give to others.
Generous Giver: Grace.
Give the gift of grace.
Generous Giver Bible Verse: He gives grace generously. James 4:6
Grace. The bedrock of our faith. I love how Justin Holcomb describes it, “Grace is getting what you don’t deserve.”
Or, “Grace is unconditional love toward a person who does not deserve it.” – Paul Zahl.
Be grace-filled with your words to others. In a world that gets easily offended and spouts off rude and harsh words easily, let’s pray to keep a calm spirit and respond with grace.
I need to better practice this, too.
It’s hard to give grace generously to those that do not deserve it. But if we take just a moment to consider the grace that we’ve received and the cost of Jesus dying for us to give this along with Himself, it makes the giving a lot easier.
Generous Giver: Patience.
Give the gift of patience.
Bible Verse: Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:2
Love is patient. 1 Corinthians 13:4
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9
Ok, the extra two verses were for me.
Patience is tough yet the Lord gives it generously to us.
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9
It’s only by His example and His power are we able to give patience. It’s a fruit of the Spirit for a reason.
Generous Giver: Forgiveness.
Give the gift of forgiveness.
Bible Verse: “Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.” Isaiah 1:18
The author of generosity gives forgiveness to all that ask.
Is there a matter in your heart that needs to be settled? Or is there a matter of forgiveness that needs to be settled between you and someone else?
Receive the gift of forgiveness and then give it away and extend forgiveness to others. You both will be blessed by it.
Generous Giver: Being Known.
Give the gift of being known.
Bible Verse: You know what I long for Lord, you hear my every sigh. Psalm 38:9
Our Heavenly Father knows us. We are known through and through. He fights specifically for us, watches specifically over us, provides specifically for us, and intimately knows us.
We’re surrounded by others who feel abandoned, invisible, and unnoticed. Give the precious gift of being known.
Make eye contact and listen. Notice others. Search for their heart between their words. Share the gift of being known by our Heavenly Father.
Related Post: Easy Ways to Encourage Others
Generous Giver: Time.
Give the gift of time.
Bible Verse: There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens. Ecclesiastes 3:1
Time is precious and oh so valuable. Are we using our time wisely?
So many of us would much rather prefer quality time over another gadget.
Quality time is a cherished gift to many that cannot be calculated.
Offer your time and you may be surprised by the response. Give your undivided attention. Set aside some time together without distractions so you can nurture conversations and enjoy each other’s company.
Generous Giver: Peace.
Give the gift of peace.
Generous Giver Bible Verse: I [Jesus] have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. John 16:33
Jesus and the cross form the centerpiece of our peace. With Jesus, we have peace that passes all understanding.
We’re also called to be peacemakers. With everyone.
If you’re not experiencing the peace of God, spend time with Him. It is only afterward that we can give to others. Actively pursue peace and leave the results to God.
Generous Giver Year-Round
I hope these ways to be a generous giver encourage you. We have been blessed to bless – not just during the holiday season but throughout the year. If your heart’s desire is to grow in generosity, spend more time with the Lavish Giver. He’s the greatest example of giving we can ever follow and we will grow to rest in the fact that He is always giving Himself away.
Call to Action:
Read 2 Corinthians 9:6-8. How can generosity be encouraged in your life?
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:6-8
Related Post: 11 Ideas for Giving Beyond the Holidays