We’ve compiled lists of books on generosity that a believer must read along the way. Generosity is a matter of compassion and selflessness, especially when it comes to giving money and other valuables to others. The Bible abounds with mentions of generosity as a virtue. The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor. Proverbs 22:9 God is a giver and He expects us to give as well.
Examples of God’s kindness are all around us. God made this world for us, to give us a living, and to supply our wants and desires. He gives us color, light, sound, air and the ability to taste, appreciate, touch and feel content.
God’s generosity was demonstrated best of all when He offered His Son as a sacrifice to pay the penalty for our sin. And for such a generosity, we can only thank God for his incomparable gift. (2 Corinthians 9:15) The greatest act of generosity was the gift of Jesus to sinful man.
Ephesians 4:32 tells us to be forgiving as we have been forgiven. Furthermore, we should be giving as we see God giving. Generosity can come in many forms. We can offer friendship, hospitality, time and material resources. The Bible teaches the general principle that those who give will be blessed: “One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. He who is generous will himself be blessed, for he gives his bread to the needy. God blesses those who are willing to sell their grain rather than hoard it (Prov. 11:24-26). The Word of God reminds us that those who give are always remembered and rewarded, in this life and the life to come.
God wants us to give so that we can be blessed by it. Jesus said, “Give, and it shall be given unto you.” Your lap will be full of a good measure, trampled down, shaken together, and running over. For with the measure you measure, it will be measured to you (Luke 6:38). This promise is repeated in 2 Chronicles 16:9, “The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to strengthen those whose heart is fully committed to him.”
Below are lists of books on generosity:
Contagious Generosity (Creating a Culture of Giving in Your Church) – Chris Willard & Jim Sheppard
Encounters with Jesus (Unexpected Answer to Life’s Biggest Questions) – Timothy Keller
Generosity (The Life Giving Power of Doing Good To Others) – Jan Grace
Generous Justice (How God’s Grace Makes Us Just) – Timothy Keller
How To Be Enriched By Giving – Gordon Lindsay
More or Less (Choosing A Lifestyle of Excessive Generosity) – Jeff Shinabarger
