The Bible contains numerous verses that provide guidance and insights into the principles of giving. Whether it’s giving to others, to God, or the broader concept of generosity, these verses offer valuable perspectives on the significance of a generous heart. This compilation of 30 Bible verses about giving, accompanied by in-depth commentaries, aims to explore the multifaceted nature of giving as portrayed in Scripture.
Bible verses about giving
Acts 20:35 (NKJV):
“I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'”
Acts 20:35 captures a profound teaching of Jesus, emphasizing the inherent blessedness in giving. It challenges the prevailing notion of receiving as the ultimate source of blessing, redirecting attention to the joy and fulfillment found in selfless generosity.
2 Corinthians 9:7 (NKJV):
“So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.”
2 Corinthians 9:7 provides a foundational principle for giving—voluntary, cheerful, and purposeful. It highlights the importance of attitude in giving, emphasizing that the motive behind generosity matters to God.
Proverbs 3:9-10 (NKJV):
“Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the firstfruits of all your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.”
Proverbs 3:9-10 links honoring the Lord with material possessions and the principle of firstfruits. It unveils the reciprocal nature of giving, suggesting that honoring God with our resources leads to divine abundance.
Malachi 3:10 (NKJV):
“Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try Me now in this,” says the Lord of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it.”
Malachi 3:10 introduces the concept of tithing, presenting it as an invitation to test God’s faithfulness. The imagery of opened windows and overflowing blessings underscores the divine response to faithful giving.
Luke 6:38 (NKJV):
“Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”
Luke 6:38 encapsulates the reciprocity of giving, suggesting that the measure of generosity one extends will be mirrored in the blessings received. It underscores the principle of sowing and reaping in the context of generosity.
Proverbs 11:25 (NKJV):
“The generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will also be watered himself.”
Proverbs 11:25 draws a parallel between generosity and enrichment, presenting a picture of a generous soul as one who experiences abundance. The imagery of watering implies a mutually beneficial dynamic in giving.
Matthew 6:3-4 (NKJV):
“But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.”
Matthew 6:3-4 illuminates the virtue of discreet giving, emphasizing the heart’s sincerity in charitable actions. The promise of an openly revealed reward from the heavenly Father reinforces the idea of divine recognition.
Proverbs 19:17 (NKJV):
“He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord, and He will pay back what he has given.”
Proverbs 19:17 introduces the concept of lending to the Lord through acts of compassion to the poor. The assurance of divine repayment underscores the sacred nature of giving to those in need.
Deuteronomy 15:10 (NKJV):
“You shall surely give to him, and your heart should not be grieved when you give to him, because for this thing, the Lord your God will bless you in all your works and in all to which you put your hand.”
Deuteronomy 15:10 emphasizes the importance of a willing heart in giving, with the promise of God’s blessing on all aspects of the giver’s endeavors. It underscores the transformative power of a joyful and compassionate spirit in generosity.
Bible verses about giving
Philippians 4:19 (NKJV):
“And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:19, while not explicitly about giving, is often cited in the context of God’s provision. It indirectly encourages a sense of trust and reliance on God’s abundance, fostering a spirit of contentment and generosity.
Proverbs 22:9 (NKJV):
“He who has a generous eye will be blessed, for he gives of his bread to the poor.”
Proverbs 22:9 links a generous perspective with blessings, portraying the one who shares with the poor as having a “generous eye.” It suggests that a disposition of generosity precedes and accompanies acts of giving.
1 Timothy 6:17-19 (NKJV):
“Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.”
1 Timothy 6:17-19 provides guidance specifically to the wealthy, encouraging them to place their trust in God rather than material wealth. The call to be rich in good works, ready to give, and willing to share underscores the eternal significance of a generous lifestyle.
Proverbs 28:27 (NKJV):
“He who gives to the poor will not lack, but he who hides his eyes will have many curses.”
Proverbs 28:27 draws a cause-and-effect relationship between giving to the poor and abundance. It warns against turning a blind eye to the needs of others, suggesting that generosity results in blessing while indifference invites curses.
Mark 12:41-44 (NKJV):
“Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And many who were rich put in much. Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites, which make a quadrans. So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood.'”
Mark 12:41-44 recounts the famous story of the widow’s offering, highlighting the sacrificial nature of her giving. Jesus commends her for giving from her poverty, emphasizing the value of heartfelt sacrifice over the monetary amount.
2 Corinthians 8:12 (NKJV):
“For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have.”
2 Corinthians 8:12 underscores the principle of proportionate giving, emphasizing the willingness of the heart as the primary factor. It introduces a sense of equity, suggesting that God evaluates contributions based on the intent and capacity of the giver.
Romans 12:8 (NKJV):
“Or he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.”
Romans 12:8 lists various spiritual gifts, including the gift of giving. The mention of giving with liberality suggests a spirit of generosity that goes beyond mere obligation, embracing a joyful and abundant approach to giving.
1 Chronicles 29:14 (NKJV):
“But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly as this? For all things come from You, and of Your own, we have given You.”
1 Chronicles 29:14 captures the essence of acknowledging God’s ownership of all things. It emphasizes the perspective that even in our giving, we are offering back to God what ultimately belongs to Him.
Hebrews 13:16 (NKJV):
“But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.”
Hebrews 13:16 broadens the concept of giving to include doing good and sharing. It implies that acts of kindness and generosity constitute sacrifices that are pleasing to God.
Luke 21:1-4 (NKJV):
“And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites. So He said, ‘Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all; for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had.'”
Luke 21:1-4 provides another account of the widow’s offering, emphasizing Jesus’ perspective on the value of sacrificial giving. It reinforces the idea that the worth of an offering is measured not by its amount but by the sacrifice involved.
Proverbs 14:31 (NKJV):
“He who oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker, but he who honors Him has mercy on the needy.”
Proverbs 14:31 draws a connection between honoring God and showing mercy to the needy. It suggests that acts of mercy toward the less fortunate are expressions of reverence and honor towards God.
Proverbs 28:8 (NKJV):
“One who increases his possessions by usury and extortion gathers it for him who will pity the poor.”
Proverbs 28:8 contrasts unethical wealth accumulation with the purposeful gathering of resources to aid the poor. It implies that generosity towards the poor counters the negative consequences of unjust gain.
Matthew 25:35-40 (NKJV):
“for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.'”
Matthew 25:35-40 presents the powerful imagery of Jesus identifying with the needy. It emphasizes the profound spiritual impact of caring for those in distress, portraying it as a direct service to Christ Himself.
Proverbs 31:20 (NKJV):
“She extends her hand to the poor, yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.”
Proverbs 31:20 portrays the virtuous woman as one who actively reaches out to the poor and extends a helping hand to the needy. It underscores the compassionate and proactive nature of giving.
Luke 12:33 (NKJV):
“Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys.”
Luke 12:33 records Jesus’ counsel to sell possessions and give alms as a means of investing in heavenly treasures. It challenges the attachment to material possessions and encourages a lifestyle of sacrificial generosity.
1 John 3:17-18 (NKJV):
“But whoever has this world’s goods and sees his brother in need and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.”
1 John 3:17-18 connects possessing worldly goods with the responsibility to assist those in need. It stresses the tangible expression of love through deeds, emphasizing the inadequacy of mere verbal expressions.
Matthew 10:8 (NKJV):
“Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.”
Matthew 10:8 sets the context of freely giving in the context of the disciples’ mission to extend healing and deliverance. It conveys the idea that the generosity of God’s gifts to us should inspire a generous sharing with others.
Proverbs 19:6 (NKJV):
“Many entreat the favor of the nobility, and every man is a friend to one who gives gifts.”
Proverbs 19:6 observes the magnetic appeal of generosity, suggesting that people naturally gravitate towards those who are known for their giving. It underscores the positive social impact of a generous spirit.
Acts 4:32-35 (NKJV):
“Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. And with great power, the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles’ feet, and they distributed to each as anyone had need.”
Acts 4:32-35 provides a glimpse into the early Christian community’s practice of communal sharing. It reflects a radical expression of generosity, where believers willingly sold possessions to meet the needs of others.
Ephesians 4:28 (NKJV):
“Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.”
Ephesians 4:28 advocates for a transformative shift in behavior—from stealing to honest labor—so that individuals can contribute to the well-being of others through their earnings. It introduces the concept of honest labor as a means to facilitate giving.
James 2:14-17 (NKJV):
“What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,’ but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”
James 2:14-17 addresses the inseparable connection between faith and works. It challenges the notion of a faith that remains inactive in the face of tangible needs, highlighting the vitality of genuine faith expressed through compassionate actions.
In conclusion, these 30 Bible verses about giving showcase the diverse aspects of generosity, from sacrificial giving to cheerful sharing and communal support. They offer a comprehensive understanding of the biblical principles underlying the act of giving and emphasize the transformative impact of a generous heart. Each verse encourages believers to reflect on their attitudes towards possessions, the less fortunate, and God’s call to share blessings with others.
Read: Powerful Bible verses about life (With Biblical Commentary)