Generosity is an attitude of the heart that can unlock blessing and open the windows of heaven over your life (Mal 3:10-11). When paired with joy it touches the heart of God, as 2 Corinthians 9:7 says, “God loves a cheerful giver”.
In its simplest terms, generosity is the quality of being kind and giving. This isn’t just limited to the financial or materialistic, but relates to our heart attitude towards relationships, ministry and the time and grace we extend to others. It is demonstrated through a giving attitude, a selfless nature, an honourable spirit and a serving heart, as defined by the original Greek word ‘Agathos’.
The Heart of God
Radical generosity has never been demonstrated more clearly than the partnership between God the Father and Jesus the Son through giving and sacrifice. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” This generosity is founded in perfect love and knows no limits. God’s generosity is without bounds. If He loved us so much that He didn’t even withhold His own Son, we know that He will freely give us all things (Rom 8:32).
“If He loved us so much that He didn’t even withhold His own Son, we know that He will freely give us all things.”
Reaping the Harvest
When we begin living in generosity it reveals the heart of God and speaks to an inherent awareness within every one of us of the goodness of God. This is the dimension the disciples ministered out of when they were commissioned by Jesus to preach the gospel, heal the sick and free the oppressed: “Freely you have received, freely give.” (Matt 10:5-8). They themselves had received healing, freedom and the unshakeable truth of the gospel, which changed their lives dramatically. They ministered out of what they freely received and became a conduit for the power of heaven on earth.
When we live out of this dimension we access a powerful spiritual key, the principle of sowing and reaping. Galatians 6:7-8 says “…For whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.”
Whatever is sown into our mind has access to our heart and will bear fruit. That is why Paul warns us to bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ (2 Cor 10:5, Rom 12:2). The Apostle Paul encourages us to continue sowing into the Spirit when he says “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” (Gal 6:9).
Unlocking Provision
Proverbs 11:24 describes two types of people: “One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.” The Scripture likens Biblical generosity to that of a sower scattering seeds that one day produce a harvest (2 Cor 9: 8-13). A heart of generosity is a spiritual key that unlocks supernatural provision. “Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” (Luke 6:38). Put simply, God always balances the books and He is never stingey about it! When we give generously to the Lord and the work of His Kingdom we never lose.
A heart of generosity is connected to one of the most powerful attributes of God. In Genesis 22:14 God is called Jehovah Jireh, which means ‘the Lord will provide’. This is who He is. It is in His Name and it is in His very nature to supernaturally provide for us, His children. The depth of His goodness is incomprehensible. He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think (Eph 3:20). It is incredible to consider that we can be so aware of and blessed by God’s goodness and still confidently know there are greater dimensions to discover.
Growing in maturity
A generous attitude is worthy of our pursuit, not just individually but also collectively. Ephesians 4:15-16 shows us that the Body of Christ grows, matures, develops and becomes effective as each one gives. Paul says, “…may we grow up in all things into Him who is the head – Christ – from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share….” Generosity matures the Body of Christ. When every joint supplies, the Church grows and matures and we gain a stature in the spirit corporately that we cannot gain independently.
“Generosity matures the Body of Christ. When every joint supplies, the Church grows and matures and we gain a stature in the spirit corporately that we cannot gain independently.”
We live in a culture where so much value has revolved around what we can get. Yet since COVID-19 brought us into lockdown, I believe many have realised that perhaps this isn’t the measure of true success. This has provided a reality check that has changed the perspective of many. I know people who are discovering a renewed gratitude for their relationships, a new commitment to their marriage and are fostering a greater connection with their children. These are the signs of a generous spirit that goes against the flow of the culture and lives in the truth that it truly is more blessed to give than to receive.
Pastors Brian and Lynne Heath have been married for 40 years and served as the senior leaders of City Builders Church (formerly COC) at Sale, in the heart of Gippsland, for the past 27 years.
Brian is one of the longest serving pastors in the Gippsland region and has become a true father to many spiritual sons and daughters and a valued mentor to younger ministers and community leaders.
Brian has a strong prophetic dimension to his life and carries the apostolic grace to build strong churches and to teach, train, impart and prepare the Church for the last day’s harvest. Brian believes the church of the future will not only carry the grace to win souls, but to impact and influence every domain of society.
Brian is also part of an apostolic team that travels regionally and throughout the Pacific. He is also working with ministry partners to build an alliance of like-minded ministries, churches, individuals and organisations that desire to rediscover and rebuild the Christian foundations that this great nation was built upon.