THF_2025ImpactReport_Digital - Flipbook - Page 21
Expressions
of Generosity from
Around the World
Caroline Curry
Many people around the world actively give something to help the
poor and needy, but what makes the generosity of the church unique is the
posture of servanthood that defines it. We see this modeled in Jesus: “For even
the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life
as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28). We also see this modeled in the early
church—in Acts, the church met together and shared everything, sold what they
had in order to give to those in need, worshipped always, met in homes for the
Lord’s Supper, shared meals with great joy and generosity, and devoted
themselves to teaching, fellowship, and prayer (Acts 2:22-27). So much of what
the early church did involved caring for the needs of others collectively,
compassionately, and consistently.
Today, God’s people still give generously in this way. The heart is the same,
but the sharing of time, talents, and resources can be expressed differently
in different contexts. At Tyndale, we partner with organizations representing
cultures and regions in every corner of the globe that are expressing biblical
generosity in unique ways relevant to their spheres of service. To understand this
better, we asked our partners to share what generosity looks like in their contexts.
God’s people in every part of the world give by sharing resources, both physical
and financial. In the slums of Nairobi, people share what little financial resources
they have selflessly to care for those around them. Another partner in Togo
highlighted the sharing of resources in the gifting of chickens to Bible study
leaders, and in Pakistan, financial resources are given as scholarships to
make higher education a reality. Giving resources is a way that people sacrifice
for the sake of others, the foundational heart posture of biblical generosity.
Hospitality is also central in biblical generosity, rooting service in relationship and
a posture of love. A partner in Czech Republic shares that they are generous with
hospitality at the communal level, offering local initiatives that invite everyone
in. A partner in Egypt saw this happening through families, where people invite
others into fellowship through homes and friendship. In the context of Tanzania,
families open homes to even strangers, offering food and shelter without
hesitation. This can also look a little more specific, as in the sharing of a meal.
For a partner in Chicago serving the local Latino community, this looked like
sharing meals as gifts of thanksgiving, while for a partner in Cambodia, the act
of bringing food to prepare and eat together is an expression of love overflowing
to generosity. Though the expression of hospitality may differ from Cambodia to
Chicago, or from Czechia to Tanzania, the heart of generosity remains the same.
The sharing and sacrifice of time is another way that biblical generosity
is expressed. In Ghana, older women generously give time to mentor younger
women, volunteering personal experience and life skills. In Spain, where smaller
churches limit the financial resources available, the giving of one’s time to others
is where generosity is abundantly expressed. The “why” and “how” of generosity
in action may look different across cultures, but there is no question that God’s
people give up their time for the service of others.
There are many other expressions of biblical generosity shared across cultures
but unique to individual contexts, from generous prayer to skills and knowledge
to the free sharing of God’s Word and the gospel. And while giving financially
may be what comes to mind first for US readers, we know this wasn’t the only
way God called the church to be generous, and we know this is not the only
expression of generosity around the world. The church around the globe in every
place is giving from what the Lord has blessed us with—from time to talent to
resources—and though it looks different from place to place, it’s all vital to full
participation in the expression of biblical generosity as one unified church around
the world.
21
