At the very heart of God’s nature is generosity. From eternity past, the Triune God has existed in a perfect relationship of mutual, self-giving love – Father, Son and Holy Spirit fully giving themselves to one another. This eternal generosity is not merely something God does; it is who He is. And because we are made in His image, and invited into relationship with Him, we are called to reflect that same generous life.

As followers of Christ, our generosity flows not from obligation or abundance, but from our union with the One who gave everything for us. In Christ, we are set free from fear, scarcity and self-protection. We are empowered to live a lifestyle of whole-life generosity – giving our time, talents, treasure, testimony, trust and thankfulness in service to God and others.

When a church embraces this kind of generosity, it becomes a vibrant reflection of the life of God. Generosity is no longer a fundraising tactic or a financial strategy – it becomes the culture, the very expression of the Church’s life in Christ. This is seen beautifully in the churches of Nagaland, India.

Nagaland, a hilly state in Northeastern India with a population of approximately two million, is home to diverse tribal communities where over 87% of the population identify as Christian. The state boasts a high literacy rate of 80%, yet nearly 20% of its people live in poverty. Despite economic challenges, Nagas are known for their vibrant culture, deep community support and extraordinary generosity.

Historically, Nagas have supported one another through voluntary contributions during times of illness, death or crisis. When someone is sick, medical expenses are often covered by the freewill offerings of community members – not because they are wealthy, but because generosity is embedded in their culture. This practice of communal giving carried over and found new expression when Christianity came to the region.

As the Gospel has taken root in their communities, their indigenous rhythms of generosity have been infused with a fresh biblical vision, offering a compelling model of what it means to be a generous church. Today, Naga churches are not only sustained by traditional tithes and offerings but are also fueled by a variety of innovative, community-based fundraising methods that reflect their culture and communal spirit. These practices help fund ministry work locally, nationally and globally while building unity and shared responsibility. Here are some notable examples:

• One-Day Income: Annually, every church member contributes the equivalent of a day’s wage to support the ministry of the church.
• Household Chicken Contribution: Each household gives an amount equal to the cost of one whole chicken.
• The Lord’s Box: A gift box placed in each home collects offerings for ministry work once or twice a year.
• Special Mission Offerings: In addition to the Lord’s Box, envelopes are available for designated ministry or mission contributions.
• Youth and Children’s Support: Youth and children raise funds toward youth ministries by helping families with household chores.
• Talent or Fete Day: Members raise funds through goods and services such as cooking, gardening, handicrafts, knitting, weaving and animal husbandry.
• Indigenous Curry Sales and Ministry Buffets: Traditional food sales support ministry work.
• Seed Money Initiatives: The church provides members with small capital to invest and return with profit.
• Handful of Rice: Each household donates a handful of rice for redistribution or sale at subsidized prices.
• Household Contributions: Proceeds from sales of fish, fruit and vegetables go towards supporting the church, and each household contributes firewood, yams, bananas, or even an orange tree to the church.
• Concerts and Talent Shows: Children and youth organize fundraising concerts to support ministry activities.
• Branded Church Items: Some churches design and sell T-shirts, calendars, diaries and bags to raise funds.
• Flowerpot Sales: Every household will plant a flowerpot, and the proceeds go to ministry.
• First Fruits Offering: The church receives first fruits from each member, such as vegetables, fruits, rice and animals, either through proceeds from sales or as a free gift.
• Raffle Drawings and Jumble Sales: Organized to raise funds for specific projects or ministry needs.
• Tea Leaves and Dried Fish: Sold for ministry support.
• Pledges: Willing church members will pledge to donate a certain amount for a designated ministry (such as sponsoring a VBS or youth camp at a poorer church, trainings for a women’s and men’s fellowship, theological students or missions, etc.)
• Fasting Meal: The church or ministry departments organize a time of fasting and prayer, during which members voluntarily give the cost of their missed meals. The collected fund is then donated to a specific cause or mission.

This beautiful, Spirit-led model of generosity demonstrates just how deeply the Gospel can transform a community when faith and culture are wisely integrated. The Naga church is a powerful testimony of communal discipleship – where giving is not merely a financial act, but a lifestyle shaped by grace, relationship and mission. They offer a portrayal of Christ and a dynamic model of whole-life generosity for churches around the world!