In this season of giving, here is some biblical background to empower you to become a generous giver and discover the joy that comes with it.

• At the core of our biblical and theological understanding of giving is the truth that “all things come from [God], and of [God’s] own have we given [God]” (1 Chronicles 29:14b).
• God owns everything, and we are called to be stewards of God’s creation (see Leviticus 25:23; Deuteronomy 8:18; Psalm 24:1; Haggai 2:8; Matthew 25:21; 1 Corinthians 4:2; 1 Corinthians 6:19– 20; and Romans 11:36a).
• God is exceedingly generous (see Matthew 7:11; John 3:16; Romans 8:32–33; 2 Corinthians 8:9; and 1 Timothy 6:17c).
• Wealth is fleeting and accumulation is dangerous (see Deuteronomy 6:10–12; Proverbs 23:4–5; Proverbs 30:8–9; Ecclesiastes 5:10–15; Mark 10:25; Luke 6:24; Luke 16:25; and 1 Timothy 6:9–10).
• Giving is an antidote to greed (see Malachi 3:8–10; Mark 10:21; Luke 12:15–17a, 19b–21, 33; and 1 Timothy 6:6–7, 17–19).
• Our hearts follow our money (see Deuteronomy 17:16–17; Proverbs 18:10–11; Ecclesiastes 5:12; Matthew 6:1–4; Matthew 6:19–21; and Matthew 6:24).
• God calls us to raise our standard of giving, not our standard of living (see Luke 3:8a, 10–11; Acts 4:32, 34–35; Acts 20:35b; 2 Corinthians 8:7, 13–14; 2 Corinthians 9:10–11; and James 2:14–17).
• God calls us to withhold nothing but to give all we can (see Matthew 10:38–39; Mark 1:16–18; Mark 12:43–44; Luke 6:38; Luke 14:33; Luke 21:1–4; Acts 4:32; 2 Corinthians 8:1–3, 9; 2 Corinthians 9:6–9; and 1 John 3:16–19).
• Our giving should reflect God’s priority to serve the poor (see Proverbs 19:17; Matthew 25:34–40; Luke 19:8; Acts 10:2–4; Romans 12:13; Galatians 2:9–10; and James 1:27).