The Biblical Foundation of Generosity (Blueprint Series)
In God's kingdom, true generosity flows from understanding a simple but profound truth: everything we have is a gift from Him. When we hold our resources loosely and invest them generously, we tap into a supernatural economy where there is always enough.
The Biblical Blueprint for God's House
Throughout Scripture, we see that God has always desired to dwell among His people. In Ephesians 2:19-22, Paul writes:
"So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God." (ESV)
This passage reveals God's intention: He wants us to be built together as His dwelling place. The church isn't just a building or an organization—it's the house of God where He lives among His people.
Generosity in the Early Church
When we examine the early church in the book of Acts, we find a powerful connection between generosity and revival:
"The full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. With great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them..." (Acts 4:32-34a, ESV)
What's remarkable is how naturally this financial surrender came to them. The early believers were so gripped by God's generosity that selling their possessions to care for one another wasn't something they needed to be convinced to do—it flowed from hearts overwhelmed by grace.
Two factors made generosity natural for the early church:
Jewish Tradition: Most early Christians came from a Jewish background where communal giving was normal, with the understanding that everything belongs to God and should be shared.
Fresh Encounter with Grace: Having just witnessed Jesus' resurrection and experienced the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, they were still overwhelmed by God's extravagant generosity through Christ. Their financial generosity was simply a response to what they had received.
The Three Biblical Uses of Community Contributions
Throughout Scripture, the contributions of God's people have consistently been used for three main purposes:
Build the Buildings: From the wilderness tabernacle to Solomon's temple to the gathering places of the early church, God's people have always contributed to create spaces where people can encounter Him.
Support the Servants: From the Levitical priesthood in the Old Testament to the apostles and church leaders in the New Testament, God's servants have been supported by the contributions of His people.
Provide for the People: God's generosity flows through His people to care for the needy within the community and beyond.
The Tabernacle: A Lesson in Willing Hearts
In Exodus 35, we find the Israelites giving generously to build the tabernacle:
"Then all the congregation of the people of Israel departed from the presence of Moses. And they came, everyone whose heart stirred him, and everyone whose spirit moved him, and brought the Lord's contribution to be used for the tent of meeting, and for all its service, and for the holy garments... Every man dedicating an offering of gold to the Lord." (Exodus 35:20-22, ESV)
Where did these former slaves get such wealth? Just before the Exodus, God gave them favor with the Egyptians, who gave them gold, silver, and clothing. Their place of bondage became their place of prosperity! Having experienced God's miraculous provision, they freely gave when asked to contribute.
The Tithe: Recognizing God's Ownership
When the Israelites entered the Promised Land, God established the tithe:
"Every tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the trees, is the Lord's; it is holy to the Lord." (Leviticus 27:30, ESV)
Notice that God wasn't asking for the tithe back—He was declaring that it was already His. After giving His people 90% of what was already all His, He simply claimed the tenth as His own.
God directed this tenth to support the Levites who served in the tabernacle:
"To the Levites I have given every tithe in Israel for an inheritance, in return for their service that they do, their service in the tent of meeting." (Numbers 18:21, ESV)
The Levites didn't receive land inheritance because they were dedicated to serving in God's house. The tithe supported those who maintained the place where God's people encountered Him.
Jesus' Approach to Tithing
Jesus had multiple opportunities to revoke the practice of tithing but didn't. Instead, He said, "I did not come to abolish the Law but to fulfill it" (Matthew 5:17, ESV). The tithe isn't the ceiling of our giving—it's the baseline.
In Malachi 3, God addresses those who withhold their tithe:
"Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, 'How have we robbed you?' In your tithes and contributions. You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you. Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need." (Malachi 3:8-10, ESV)
Not tithing is described as robbing God because we're keeping what already belongs to Him. But God invites us to test Him in this—to experience His supernatural provision when we honor Him with our resources.
A Personal Testimony of Generosity
Beyond tithing is the joy of generosity. One couple felt God asking them about their $10,000 savings: "What if you invested in my dreams first and trusted me to provide for your dreams later?"
They gave that money to a struggling Christian school, which not only survived but thrived, doubling its enrollment the following year. In the seven years since, God returned to them more than ten times what they gave.
This illustrates God's invitation in Malachi: "Put me to the test and see if I'm not better at taking care of you than you are at taking care of yourself."
Building for Generations
What we're building today isn't just for us—it's for those who come after us:
"Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations." (Deuteronomy 7:9, ESV)
When we build God's house with generosity, we're creating an inheritance for future generations. What our spiritual forefathers built, we inherited. What we build, our children will inherit.
Psalm 127:1 reminds us: "Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain." We don't want to build something that glorifies us—we want to build a house where God dwells, a place where His presence is manifest and people encounter Him.
Reflection Questions
Heart Check: Where is your treasure truly placed? Jesus said that where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Matthew 6:21). Take time to pray and ask God to reveal if there are areas where you're holding back from Him financially.
Scripture Study: Read 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 and journal about God's promises to those who give generously. How might your perspective on giving change if you fully believed these promises?
Next Steps: What is one practical step you can take this week to grow in financial obedience and generosity? Whether it's beginning to tithe, increasing your giving, or blessing someone in need, ask God to show you how He wants to work through your resources.