Generosity

1. The Biblical Definition of Generosity

Biblical generosity is far more than occasional giving or random acts of kindness. It is a Spirit-formed disposition of the heart that reflects God’s own nature—His readiness to give beyond what is required, deserved, or expected.

Key Biblical Terms

Old Testament (Hebrew)

• נָדִיב (nadiv) – often translated “noble,” “willing,” or “generous.” It speaks of a willing, princely, magnanimous heart.

  • “The generous man (nadiv) devises generous things, and by generosity he shall stand” (Isaiah 32:8 NKJV).

• חֶסֶד (chesed) – usually translated “lovingkindness,” “steadfast love,” or “mercy.” While not “generosity” in a narrow sense, it describes God’s covenant loyalty and kindness, which overflows in generous action (Psalm 136).

New Testament (Greek)

• ἁπλότης (haplotēs) – often translated “generosity,” “liberality,” or “sincerity.” Literally, it means singleness or simplicity of heart—a heart that gives without mixed motives, without duplicity, without self-seeking.

  • “He who gives, with liberality (en haplotēti)” (Romans 12:8 NASB).
  • “Their liberal (haplotēs) sharing with them all” (2 Corinthians 9:13 NKJV).

• εὐλογία (eulogia) – “blessing,” but in giving contexts it means a generous gift (2 Corinthians 9:5–6).

• μεταδίδωμι (metadidōmi) – “to share, to give a part of what one has” (Ephesians 4:28; Romans 12:8).

Putting this together:

Biblical generosity is the Spirit-empowered willingness to share resources, time, and self in a free, joyful, and sacrificial way, reflecting God’s own overflowing goodness.