[CYM] 16.0 Give and Be Generous

Yeshua consistently taught that His followers should be generous, giving freely and sacrificially in response to God’s grace. Generosity, in Yeshua’s teaching, reflects the heart of God and reveals true discipleship.

In Matthew, Yeshua says, give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away (Matthew 5:42). In the Sermon on the Mount, He warns against giving for show, instead urging secret, sincere generosity:

But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly (Matthew 6:3–4).

Generosity is to be humble and God-centered.

Mark highlights sacrificial giving through the story of the poor widow who gave two small coins: And Yeshua called unto him his disciples and said, verily I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living (Mark 12:43–44). Yeshua honors her not for the amount but for the depth of her trust and self-denial.

In Luke, Yeshua commands, give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again (Luke 6:38). He tells the rich ruler to sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me (Luke 18:22), showing that generosity often requires surrender. The Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25–37) also displays practical, costly love in action.

In John, generosity is implied through love. Yeshua praises Mary’s costly gift of perfume (John 12:3–8), and His own life is the ultimate gift: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16).

Across the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, Yeshua commands generous, joyful giving that reflects God’s abundant heart and a kingdom-first mindset.