📖 Biblical Definition
To give is to bestow, grant, hand over — and Scripture identifies the supreme giver as God Himself. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son" (John 3:16). The Son in turn "gave himself for me" (Galatians 2:20); the Spirit gives spiritual gifts "to every man severally as he will" (1 Corinthians 12:11). Christian giving is therefore response, not initiative — the receiver passing on what he has been given. Christ commands: "freely ye have received, freely give" (Matthew 10:8); "give, and it shall be given unto you" (Luke 6:38). The grace of giving is one of the surest marks of a regenerate soul. Generous men reflect a generous God.
📜 KJV Continual Tense
In KJV: giveth — God’s sustained, generous bestowing.
expand to see more
James 1:5: "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not." The continuous tense is the encouragement — God is the One who is giving, right now, generously.
Philippians 4:19: "my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." The supplying is ongoing.
2 Corinthians 9:7: "God loveth a cheerful giver." Continuous love for continuous giving.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
To bestow, grant, transfer.
expand to see more
To bestow without compensation; to grant; to confer; in Scripture the supreme verb of God’s grace — gave His Son, gives wisdom, gives gifts, gives life. Christian giving imitates.
📖 Key Scripture
John 3:16 — "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son."
James 1:5 — "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."
2 Corinthians 9:7 — "Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Transactionalized in fundraising-Christianity (give-to-receive) rather than the grateful response to received grace Scripture commands.
expand to see more
Prosperity teaching has weaponized giving as a transaction ("sow a seed, reap a harvest"). Scripture’s giving is response, not transaction. We give because we have received; we sow because the Spirit has sown in us; we are cheerful because the gospel is.
Recover the order: God gave first, supremely, in Christ. Christian giving is the soul’s answer to that gift — not a coin in the cosmic vending machine.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Greek didōmi; Hebrew natan.
expand to see more
['Greek', 'G1325', 'didōmi', 'to give']
['Hebrew', 'H5414', 'natan', 'to give, put, set']
Usage
"Give cheerfully — God loves a cheerful giver."
"We give because we have received."
"God gives liberally and upbraideth not."