More than a call to give, Biblical Generosity invites us to grasp the deeper reason behind our giving: God’s love that came first.
When broadcast journalist Ka El Garcia, the day’s program host of 702 DZAS – FEBC Radio’s Entre-Pinoy Espeyal, asked how this affects our livelihood, both for entrepreneurs and employees, I said that having access to resources also gives us access to influence. And with that influence comes a greater responsibility to those God has entrusted to us, be it our family or community.
Patrick Johnson, Founder and Visionary of GenerousChurch, an organization that sparks global generosity by empowering church and ministry networks worldwide, often shared that 25% of what Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount was about stewardship.
Scripture shows us moments when God urgently calls someone’s name twice, “Martha, Martha,” “Moses, Moses,” “Abraham, Abraham,” to draw their full attention. In a similar way, it is worth noting that about one-fourth of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount centers on provision, possession, and generosity, reminding us how deeply these themes matter to God.
Whenever we receive money or any kind of resource, it is wise to pause and ask the LORD, “Is this bread for me to consume or seed for me to plant and give to others?” As a good Father, God delights in seeing His children enjoy the fruits of their labor. Yet, following His own example of generosity, if we are encouraged to share our blessings, by all means, give.
I am deeply grateful to Jo Alabastro, Station Manager of 702 DZAS – FEBC Radio, who, upon seeing the program concept about Biblical Generosity, immediately gave it a chance to be heard on air and watched online by millions of listeners and viewers in the Philippines and around the world.
For days, I prepared, reading books, reviewing documents, and refining my notes, until, just hours before the interview, I found myself in the studio’s prayer room. There, I realized that what I needed most was not more preparation, but prayer. The truth became clear: God owns everything, and we are merely stewards, even of the knowledge He has entrusted to us. As vessels of His message, we speak with humility and dependence on Him.
Looking back, I can see that God’s generosity has been present all along. Provision truly follows purpose. The PAGEONE Group, led by Ron Jabal and Vonj Tingson, together with their capable Strategic Accounts Officer, Gen Asas, has been nothing short of generous in graciously providing me with this beautiful space to write about the many good things happening around us.
Emanuel Bistrian, Executive Director of Generosity Path, shared their vision “to see a world healed through generosity, that when someone’s heart is fully surrendered to Jesus, that leads to radical giving…and ultimately to bring God’s kingdom down on earth; that is how the world is healed through generosity”.
In their Journey of Generosity book, one can read about Pastor Tim Keller’s sermon mentioning Apostle Paul’s final message to his friends to “Believe the gospel and live radically generous lives” while emphasizing that “It is more blessed to give than to receive”.
If I remember correctly, he went on to explain that the context referred to was the state of being in the very presence of God, like in the Garden of Eden, where everything was good. But stepping out of that place brought about all the negativity we experience today. In hindsight, knowing that it is more blessed to give draws us back to that state of being in God’s presence, through the healing power of generosity, when love is put into action through giving.
To further illustrate his point, he spoke about the hidden power of greed, a force that entices us to chase after fleeting treasures. In contrast, there is only one treasure that pursues us: God Himself. Though He literally owns everything, He deemed it right and sufficient to give His only begotten Son so that He might once again embrace His most precious treasures: Us.
As John 3:16 declares, “Because God gave, we give.”
Now, biblical generosity flows freely, without pressure or strain, as a natural outpouring of a heart overflowing with God’s love.