Faith & Finance - Generosity Lessons from Joanna with Sharon Epps
“We love because He first loved us.” – 1 John 4:19
Those six words beautifully capture the foundation of our relationship with God—we can only love and give because He first gave to us. Today, Sharon Epps joins us for a fascinating discussion on the generosity of women in the Bible.
Sharon Epps is the President of Kingdom Advisors, FaithFi’s parent organization. Kingdom Advisors serves the broad Christian financial industry by educating and equipping professionals to integrate biblical wisdom and financial expertise.
The Women Who Provided for Jesus
Luke 8:1-3 records an often-overlooked detail:
“Soon afterward, He went through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the Good News of the Kingdom of God. And the twelve were with Him, and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s household manager, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their means.”
This passage tells us three key things:
- These women had been healed by Jesus—physically, spiritually, or both.
- They supported Jesus’ ministry financially out of their own wealth.
- Their generosity was a response of gratitude for what Christ had done for them.
One of these women, Joanna, stands out in particular.
Joanna: A Woman Transformed by Jesus
Joanna was the wife of Chuza, King Herod's household manager. Thus, she likely had significant wealth and lived a royal lifestyle. Yet, despite her status, she was weakened when she met Jesus. She needed healing, and her first act of generosity was actually receiving—not giving.
This is a powerful reminder: Before we can give, we must first receive.
What Does This Teach Us?
- Money alone doesn’t solve all problems—Joanna had wealth but still needed Christ.
- Generosity starts with receiving—not just financially, but in all aspects of life.
- God uses people from all walks of life—even a woman in Herod’s court—to fund Jesus' ministry.
Receiving Before We Give
Joanna’s story reminds us of an important biblical truth: we can only give what we have first received.
1 Corinthians 4:7 asks:
“What do you have that you did not receive?”
The answer? Nothing.
Everything—our breath, skills, love, wisdom, and financial resources—is a gift from God. We receive, then we give, creating a virtuous cycle of generosity that mirrors God’s own generosity toward us.
Three Key Questions to Consider:
- What have I received from Christ that enables me to give?
- Is my giving safe or sacrificial?
- What does my giving reveal about how well I’ve received from God?
These questions challenge us to shift our perspective—to see giving not as an obligation but as an overflow of what we have already been given.
The Motivation Behind Joanna’s Generosity
Why did Joanna give so generously? Gratitude.
Later, in Luke 24, we find Joanna at Jesus’ empty tomb. She was among the women who encountered the angels, remembered Jesus’ words, and ran to tell the apostles.
Her journey shows a progression:
- She received healing from Jesus.
- She financially supported His ministry.
- She proclaimed His resurrection.
Her generosity wasn’t just about money—it was about devotion. She gave because she loved Jesus deeply.
Lessons in Generosity
As we reflect on Joanna’s story, here are some key takeaways we can walk away with:
1. Generosity is a Journey
Our relationship with Christ fuels our generosity. The deeper our love for Him, the more naturally we want to give.