8 scriptures that teach us to be generous

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When a conversation moves to the topic of generosity, there's a high likelihood that people would rather change the subject. Being generous is tough because it can sometimes put us in a position where we need to sacrifice our own personal desires and comforts to be a blessing to others.

But take a good look at your life today and consider this: you are already blessed. If you have food on your table, money in your pocket, and even breath, you are blessed. God blesses us so we can be a blessing to others around us. We were meant to be channels for God's goodness, not cesspools of it.

If there is anyone who exudes generosity the most, no one can go beyond the example of Christ. He so willingly gave up everything He had so that we may share in His glory. Now, as recipients of God's grace through Christ, what's to stop us from responding in generosity toward others?

Here are eight scriptures that encourage us to move in generosity, enabled by the work of Jesus Christ in us.

"For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for His name in serving the saints, as you still do" (ESV, Hebrews 6:10). (Pexels)
Ephesians 4:28 "Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need." (Pexels)
2 Corinthians 8:3,7 "For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord…But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you — see that you excel in this act of grace also." (Pexels)
Mark 9:41 "For truly, I say to you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ will by no means lose his reward." (Pexels)
Proverbs 25:21 "If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink." (Pexels)
Proverbs 22:9 "Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor." (Pexels)
Psalm 41:1-2 "Blessed is the one who considers the poor! In the day of trouble the Lord delivers him; the Lord protects him and keeps him alive; he is called blessed in the land; you do not give him up to the will of his enemies." (Pexels)