1 Chronicles 29:6 (NLT) Then the family leaders, the leaders of the tribes of Israel, the generals and captains of the army, and the king’s administrative officers all gave willingly.
1 Chronicles 29:9 (NLT) The people rejoiced over the offerings, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the LORD, and King David was filled with joy.
2 Corinthians 9:6-15 (NLT) Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. As the Scriptures say, “They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever.” For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God. So two good things will result from this ministry of giving—the needs of the believers in Jerusalem will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanks to God. As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ. And they will pray for you with deep affection because of the overflowing grace God has given to you. Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words!
A generous person will usually be rewarded. The reward doesn’t always come in money, and it doesn’t always come in this life, but God does bless generous people. In the New Testament, God gave us His only Son because He loves us so much, and that Son died on the cross for us. It sets an example that generosity in God’s people should be sacrificial.
Acts 20:35 (NLT) And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’
Matthew 10:8b (NLT) Give as freely as you have received!
Proverbs 11:25 (NLT) The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.
When a truly generous person shares their prosperity, a cycle of refreshing begins to turn, until it is hard to tell which came first, the generosity or the feeling of prosperity and refreshment. God calls us to be a source of refreshment to others, and generally, the degree to which we can do that will be the degree to which we receive refreshment in return.