The term "open-handed" in the biblical context often refers to generosity, willingness to give, and a spirit of liberality. This concept is deeply rooted in the teachings of the Bible, where believers are encouraged to be generous and to share their resources with those in need.

Old Testament References

In the Old Testament, the idea of being open-handed is closely associated with the laws and teachings given to the Israelites. Deuteronomy 15:7-8 instructs, "If there is a poor man among your brothers within any of the gates in the land that the LORD your God is giving you, you are not to harden your heart or shut your hand from your poor brother. Instead, you are to open your hand to him and freely loan him whatever he needs." This passage emphasizes the importance of compassion and generosity towards the poor and needy within the community.

Proverbs also highlights the virtue of generosity. Proverbs 11:24-25 states, "One gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds what is right, only to become poor. A generous soul will prosper, and he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed." Here, the principle of open-handedness is linked to the idea of divine blessing and prosperity for those who give freely.

New Testament Teachings

In the New Testament, the teachings of Jesus and the apostles further reinforce the concept of being open-handed. Jesus, in His Sermon on the Mount, teaches about giving to those who ask and not turning away from those who want to borrow (Matthew 5:42). This teaching underscores the importance of a generous spirit as a reflection of God's love and grace.

The early church exemplified open-handedness in their communal living. Acts 2:44-45 describes how "all the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they shared with anyone who was in need." This practice of sharing and generosity was a hallmark of the early Christian community, demonstrating their commitment to caring for one another.

The Apostle Paul also encourages believers to be generous. In 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 , he writes, "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver." Paul emphasizes that generosity should be voluntary and joyful, reflecting a heart aligned with God's purposes.

Theological Implications

The concept of being open-handed is not merely about financial giving but encompasses a broader attitude of the heart. It reflects a trust in God's provision and a willingness to be used as a conduit of His blessings to others. The open-handed believer recognizes that all resources ultimately belong to God and are to be used for His glory and the benefit of others.

In summary, the biblical teaching on being open-handed calls believers to a lifestyle of generosity, compassion, and selflessness. It is a call to reflect God's character in our dealings with others, ensuring that our hands are open to give and to bless as we have been blessed.(a.) Generous; liberal; munificent.

Whyte -- Experience
... Be more generous-minded, and more open-handed, as God has been so generous-minded,
and so open-handed toward you: if that has indeed been so. ...
/.../kleiser/the worlds great sermons volume 8/whyte experience.htm

Upon the Collections , iv.
... But since this severity is only denounced in order that we may seek for mercy, we
too in this present life must show such open-handed mercy that after perilous ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/sermon ix upon the collections.htm

On the Collections, V.
... kind and regarded as a means, is good and is of the greatest advantage to human
society, when it is in the hands of the benevolent and open-handed, and when ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/sermon x on the collections.htm

On the Fast of the Tenth Month.
... God our reasonable service of abstinence, and each might remember so to use his
abundance as to be more abstinent in himself and more open-handed towards the ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/leo/writings of leo the great/sermon xvi on the fast.htm

Two Ways of Despising God's Feast
... We choose lives of weary work and hunting after uncertain riches, rather than listen
to His call, despising the open-handed housekeeping of our Father's house ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/two ways of despising gods.htm

The Foundation of the Church.
... conspire against him; and all the richer and nobler Romans 54ed in terror under
him, though the common people liked him for being open-handed, and amusing them ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson xxi the foundation of.htm

Daily Bread
... the merciful, they that do hunger and thirst after righteousness; blessed are the
sympathetic, the stout-hearted, the open-eyed, the open-handed; plain and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/merriam/the chief end of man/v daily bread.htm

A People Prepared for the Lord
... more true. Are we? They hated covetousness and overreaching. Do we? They
were generous, open-handed, hospitable. Are we? My friends ...
/.../kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon xxxviii a people prepared.htm

Rom. xii. 4, 5
... the saints. For above when he says, "he that showeth mercy with cheerfulness,"
he makes us open-handed to everybody. Here, however ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xxi rom xii 4.htm

The Personal History of Herod - the Two Worlds in Jerusalem.
... Charity was not only open-handed, but most delicate, and one who had been in good
circumstances would actually be enabled to live according to his former ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter ii the personal history.htm

Openhanded (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Openhanded (2 Occurrences). Deuteronomy 15:8 but
thou shalt surely open thy hand unto him, and shalt surely ...
/o/openhanded.htm - 7k

Open-handed (2 Occurrences)
Open-handed. Openhanded, Open-handed. Opening . Noah Webster's Dictionary ...
(BBE). Openhanded, Open-handed. Opening . Reference Bible.
/o/open-handed.htm - 7k

Liberal (11 Occurrences)
... or studies. 2. (a.) Bestowing in a large and noble way, as a freeman; generous;
bounteous; open-handed; as, a liberal giver. 3. (a ...
/l/liberal.htm - 12k

Open-'eyed (1 Occurrence)
Open-'eyed. Openeth, Open-'eyed. Openhanded . Multi-Version Concordance
Open-'eyed (1 Occurrence). ... (YLT). Openeth, Open-'eyed. Openhanded . Reference
/o/open-'eyed.htm - 6k

Generous (17 Occurrences)
... spirited; courageous. 3. (a.) Open-handed; free to give; not close or stingy;
munificent; as, a generous friend or father. 4. (a ...
/g/generous.htm - 11k

Free (454 Occurrences)
... a bad sense. 9. (superl.) Not close or parsimonious; liberal; open-handed;
lavish; as, free with his money. 10. (superl.) Exempt ...
/f/free.htm - 38k

Philippians (2 Occurrences)
... remarkable that the Macedonian converts were, as a class, very poor (2 Corinthians
8:2); and the parallel facts, their poverty and their open-handed support of ...
/p/philippians.htm - 42k

Beneficent (3 Occurrences)
... ungrateful and wicked. (WEY). 1 Timothy 6:18 They must be beneficent, rich in
noble deeds, open-handed and liberal; (WEY). Proverbs 11:25 ...
/b/beneficent.htm - 7k

Noble (61 Occurrences)
... profession of faith-- (WEY). 1 Timothy 6:18 They must be beneficent, rich in
noble deeds, open-handed and liberal; (WEY). 2 Timothy 2:20 ...
/n/noble.htm - 27k

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