Liberality, the quality of being generous and open-handed, is a virtue that the Bible encourages believers to practice in various aspects of life, including in their relationships with servants. The Scriptures provide guidance on how masters should treat their servants with fairness, kindness, and generosity, reflecting the character of God who is just and compassionate.

Biblical Foundations

The Bible establishes a framework for the treatment of servants that emphasizes justice and mercy. In the Old Testament, the Mosaic Law provided specific instructions for the humane treatment of servants. For instance, in Deuteronomy 15:12-14 , it is written: "If your brother, a Hebrew man or woman, is sold to you, he shall serve you six years, and in the seventh year you shall set him free. And when you release him, do not send him away empty-handed. You are to furnish him liberally from your flock, your threshing floor, and your winepress. You shall give to him as the LORD your God has blessed you."

This passage underscores the principle of liberality by instructing masters to provide generously for their servants upon their release, reflecting God's blessings upon them. The act of sending a servant away with provisions is a tangible expression of gratitude and benevolence, ensuring that the servant can start anew with dignity and support.

New Testament Teachings

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul addresses the relationship between masters and servants, urging masters to treat their servants with fairness and respect. In Ephesians 6:9 , Paul writes: "And masters, do the same for them. Give up your use of threats, because you know that He who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with Him."

This exhortation highlights the equality of all people before God and calls for a spirit of liberality that transcends social hierarchies. Masters are reminded that they, too, are under the authority of the heavenly Master, who shows no partiality. Therefore, they are to exercise liberality by treating their servants with the same respect and kindness they would desire for themselves.

Practical Application

The principle of liberality toward servants can be applied in various ways. Employers and those in positions of authority are encouraged to provide fair wages, humane working conditions, and opportunities for personal and professional growth. The spirit of liberality also involves recognizing the inherent dignity and worth of every individual, regardless of their social or economic status.

Furthermore, liberality extends beyond material provisions to include emotional and spiritual support. Encouraging words, acts of kindness, and a willingness to listen and understand the needs of those who serve are all expressions of a generous heart.

Conclusion

The biblical call to exercise liberality toward servants is a reflection of God's own generosity and justice. By treating servants with kindness, fairness, and generosity, believers demonstrate the transformative power of the Gospel in their lives and bear witness to the love and grace of God.Deuteronomy 15:12-14
And if your brother, an Hebrew man, or an Hebrew woman, be sold to you, and serve you six years; then in the seventh year you shall let him go free from you.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Of Prayer --A Perpetual Exercise of Faith. The Daily Benefits ...
... rather than embrace the divine liberality voluntarily offered ... mutilated, or interrupted
and wandering, should meet with a ... all who are truly exercised in prayer ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 20 of prayera perpetual.htm

The Last Interview of Paul with the Elders of Ephesus.
... order than elders or presbyters, who exercised authority over ... Christians, whether
ministers or people, should be commended ... the source of his liberality, that it ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xxiv the last interview.htm

The Planting of the Church in New England --Pilgrim and Puritan.
... and exclusiveness, do really excel, in liberality and patient ... and of the same household
should be strangers. ... what authority their ministry was to be exercised. ...
/.../bacon/a history of american christianity/chapter viii the planting of.htm

The Beginning of Justification. In what Sense Progressive.
... saved," "not of works, lest any man should boast," (Eph ... let us not boast of voluntary
liberality in matters ... had otherwise chosen, he might have exercised (1:Cor ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 14 the beginning of.htm

The True Gnostic is Beneficent, Continent, and Despises Worldly ...
... In particular, the habit of liberality [3606] which ... according to their requests,
[we should say] that ... its sincerity the faith which is exercised in reference ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xii the true gnostic is.htm

From the Close of the General Conference of 1832 to the Beginning ...
... what should be written upon his tombstone, should he die ... the spirit of revival, and
of liberality in support ... and the Church by this neglect toward her servants ...
/.../chapter 12 from the close.htm

A Discourse of Mercifulness
... for this very reason, because he would have mercy exercised. ... 5 We are to extend our
liberality by virtue of ... be very angry with them that should question their ...
/.../15 a discourse of mercifulness.htm

From the Death of Bishop Asbury to the Close of the General ...
... rousing appeal to the sympathies and liberality of the ... resolved that the money thus
refunded should be divided ... wealth, and, since he had exercised the office ...
/.../chapter 3 from the death.htm

From the Close of the General Conference of 1792 to the Close of ...
... to be found in that spirit of liberality which Christianity ... My mind was greatly
exercised on the occasion, and ... I replied, I should preach as God should direct ...
/.../chapter 1 from the close.htm

From the Close of the General Conference of 1812 to the Death of ...
... of the preachers, and otherwise exercised his authority ... extensive influence as he
did, should wholly escape ... by his example, he provoked others to liberality. ...
/.../chapter 2 from the close.htm

Liberality: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus