What does the word say about giving

There is no question that generous giving is a cornerstone of the Christian faith, and that there is great joy in giving. We are all blessed by the giving of others, and we are all blessed to give. For example, I have been in drive-through lines where the person in front of me pays my bill, and I in turn decide to pay the bill of the person behind me. It then becomes a long line of giving and receiving, a display of kindness to others we don’t even know.

Even a simple cycle of giving such as this can unite a community and bring a smile to our faces.

Throughout the centuries, Christians have given generously and sacrificially for the cause of the Gospel. Christians have funded schools, charities, and hospitals. Christians have given time and treasure to rebuild cities after floods and fires. Christians have given faithfully to their local churches, to missionaries, to neighbors in need, and have given consistently in ways that others will never know. Following the lead of our Savior who gave all on our behalf, Christians are a giving people.

But how much does the Bible say we should give?

Is there a specific amount, or a set rule that we are required to follow? Does our salvation itself hinge on the amount of money we give, and where we give it? Does God really threaten to curse us if we don’t give a certain amount in a certain way? The good news for us is that the answer is extraordinarily simple: we are required to give nothing, yet it becomes our desire to give everything.

You Get What You Give

“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.” – 2 Corinthians 9:6

Giving benefits the one who gives the gift and the one who receives the gift. Some have misread this verse to mean that those who give much financially will in turn be rewarded with much financially. This is wrong thinking and sets up a kind of ‘giving in order to get more back’ scheme. God will certainly bless our giving beyond all we ask or imagine and simultaneously provide for our each and every need.

Yet our blessing comes not from a financial return, but by the act of giving itself which grows us and draws us closer to Christ. There are no records of the apostles, or Jesus himself for that matter, living lives of wealth and comfort because of their giving.

God is the Greatest Giver

“Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.” – 2 Corinthians 9:10

God is the greatest giver. He gives us all things, and without Him we are and have nothing. Just like a seed that brings forth a larger harvest than expected, when we give generously we can expect to see a harvest of blessing come from it. God will grow us in righteousness as we give in faith, and will use any gift we give to do more than we could ever imagine. We should seek such a ‘harvest of righteousness’ above any material wealth.

We also don’t give to receive accolades for our generosity. In Matthew 6:3, Jesus tells us to give ‘so that your right hand does not know what your left hand is doing’. Our reward for giving comes from God, not from the accolades of others. There is nothing wrong at all with being thankful for one who gives generously, but that is not why we give. We give out of love of others and love of Christ.

God Loves a Cheerful Giver

“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” – 2 Corinthians 9:7

God loves a cheerful giver! This is a beautiful thought because of what Paul says (give cheerfully) and because of what he doesn’t say (give a certain amount). God doesn’t desire our giving to be done begrudgingly or under compulsion. Should you be pressured to give a certain amount (or else!) then there is something very wrong and very non-Scriptural happening. That giving has gone from being a joy to a burden.

Giving never, ever comes from guilt, obligation, or compulsion. Giving is not some religious tax that Christians are required to meet. Jesus came to push aside that kind of giving, and to fulfill it with something better. Matthew 11:30 tells us that “His burden is light”. Jesus is not the heavenly IRS. His desire is not to place a burden on us by demanding a certain amount of giving and punishing us if we don’t meet it. He gave freely to us on the cross, continues to give freely to us daily in all the blessings of life, and in response we give freely as well.

The Truth about Tithing

Any conversation about Christian giving will involve tithing. Tithing is beneficial, and is a method of giving that can provide structure and personal accountability. One verse that is regularly used when discussing tithing is Malachi 3:9-10, “You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.”

The problem with this verse is that, taken out of context, it becomes legalistic and can cause unnecessary fear and pain in the lives of believers. God will indeed open the floodgates of heaven and pour out blessing on cheerful givers! But if God truly has plans to curse the God-fearing members of His Church because they are not tithing according to this verse in Malachi, why in the world do Paul and the other New Testament writers fail to mention it?

Giving is Good. Legalism is Bad.

The New Testament writers had many opportunities to teach and require percentage giving, yet they don’t do it. They instead encouraged believers to give all they had to God and to others. The old law required giving 10% of the harvest to the theocratic government of Israel. It was used to care for the Levites who served in the temple and as a gift to God. The concept was one that said, tithe to the Temple and do what you will with the rest.

In Christ, we no longer live under a ‘90/10’ arrangement, but prayerfully give God 100% of all we are and all we have — all the time. Christ came to fulfill the Law, and everything, including each breath, is from Him and belongs to Him. From our perspective, sometimes our giving may look like a lot, sometimes it may look like a little. But when we give as God leads, we may never know the full extent of how our gifts are used for Him.

Giving is an Act of Worship

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” – Romans 12:1

Since we are not required to give a certain amount, what does that mean if we don’t give at all? The key to giving is to do so cheerfully as an act of sacrifice and an act of worship. We should give sacrificially as we feel led by God and allow Him to use our giving to bring about a great harvest in the lives of others and in His church. The pattern of Christian giving is not one of box-checking and obligations. It is a daily lifestyle of kindness and generosity flowing from the Spirit which dwells within us.

When we give to our church, it is because that is where God has led us and we want to be a part of the good work he is doing there. If we simply give an obligatory dollar amount on Sundays, but then walk out and live ungrateful lives Monday through Saturday because we have ‘met our obligation’, we have missed the point entirely. God deserves all we are, not just a dollar amount once a week.

The bottom line is that we are to give cheerfully and generously, ‘as we feel led in our heart to give.’ When we truly do this, it causes us to stay in tune with the Holy Spirit and focused on where God would have us use our offerings for his glory and not our own.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, and any gift that we could give to Him in return is a mere token of thanks for the eternal gift He has given us. Just like those cars in the drive through line, in life we will find ourselves both giving and receiving. We give because everything we own and everything we are is a gift from God.

We give because there is a joy that we can only know when we give as God lead us to. We give because giving makes us more like Christ. And we give because sometimes we will know what it is like to be in dire need and receive graciously from others, and it is an unspeakable joy to give as has been so generously given to us.

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Jason Soroski is a homeschool dad and author of A Journey to Bethlehem: Inspiring Thoughts for Christmas and Hope for the New Year. He serves as worship pastor at Calvary Longmont in Colorado and spends his weekends exploring the Rocky Mountains with his family. Connect on Twitter, Instagram, or at JasonSoroski.net.

Photo credit: ©GettyImages/Hakase

The act of giving is a well-known Christian virtue. As the body of Christ, we are accustomed to answering the call to give freely of our finances, time, and our gifts.

However, in the interest of being a “good” Christian, we can overestimate how much of ourselves and our resources we should give in order to be a blessing to our church and our community. When this happens, giving becomes life-depleting, instead of life-giving.

If you are like me, and your “giving” batteries have become drained, l offer 4 prayers at the end of this article that should send a life-giving volt of joy, energy, and peace flowing through your circuits. May these prayers enable you to find a happy balance between living an abundant life and serving others to enrich theirs.

However, first of all, let us explore some essential principles of giving:

What is giving?

Giving is a personal sacrifice of something that God has given you, to bless someone in need.

There are various forms of giving, the most common being financial gifts.

Giving money to God’s work, as well as those in need, is indeed important. God gives us specific instructions in both the Old and New Testament about financial giving. However, God also provides us with means to give in other ways, such as through our spiritual gifts – talents and natural aptitudes – that can be used to minister to others to benefit them (1 Peter 4:10-11).

In my case, as a British expat living in Germany, l give my language skills as an English speaker to serve in our church’s English translation team.

We can also give our time to help others: We can shop for a sick relative, offer to babysit a friend’s children, or visit an elderly neighbor who lives alone.

Giving is should be an act of worship and living sacrifice (Romans 12:1). We should give according to how God leads us, whether that be with the amount of time or money we give, or how we use our gifts to help others.

Moreover, regardless of what we give, we should give joyfully (2 Corinthians 9:7).

Why do we give?

God is the ultimate giver – He gave us His only son as a bond price for our redemption. Therefore, expressing our honor and gratitude for what God has done for us through giving is wholly acceptable. Additionally, giving holds us accountable and blesses others. 

How was giving defined in the Old Testament?

The importance of financial giving is shown to us early on in the Bible. In Genesis 14:19-20, Abram gave the High Priest Melchizedek a tenth of all of his possessions, in response to God blessing him with victory over his enemies and securing the rescue of his nephew, Lot.

This practice of giving a tenth was continued with the introduction of the Mosaic Law, in which God required that the Israelites give a tithe or 10% of their first fruits (Leviticus 27:30-34). This money was also considered the Levites’ inheritance, who were the priests that served God (Numbers 18:21).

Additionally, clear instructions were given regarding offerings and sacrifices (Deuteronomy 12:5-6). Financial allowances were also given for orphans, widows, and foreigners (Deuteronomy 14:28-29), as well as festivals (Deuteronomy 14:22).

Even in ancient times, God required His people to not only honor Him but to also distribute blessings amongst the people.

What does it mean to give like Jesus?

Giving is not restricted solely to the Old Testament. During His ministry, Jesus emphasized the importance of continuing to give under our new covenant with Him. Jesus stated in Matthew 5:17, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.”

In fact, as a requirement of sharing His ministry with others, Jesus can call us to not only give but give up what we have. After all, He asked His disciples to not only leave their professions, but also their possessions (Luke 9:1-6, Luke 10:1-4). Jesus wants to teach us that it is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35).

To give like Jesus means to offer a sacrifice for the right reasons. We shouldn’t make a spectacle about giving, so that others witness our generosity (Matthew 6:1-2). Instead, we should give in secret with the ultimate intention of glorifying God and blessing others (Matthew 6:3-4).

Additionally, giving like Jesus means to be generous to those less fortunate (Matthew 6:2-3).

Although the Israelites were given a solid 10% benchmark as their tithing requisite, Jesus tells us the following in Luke 6:38, “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

In order words, the more you give, the more will be given back to you. What our reward will be, Jesus tells a rich man in Mark10:29-31.

Jesus is the biblical expert on giving – after all, He sacrificed His life for our salvation. Just as Jesus gave His all for us, so He wants us to give Him our all. That doesn’t mean we have to give up our last cent, but it means we should give wholeheartedly, with our entire heart, body, mind, and spirit.

What are some key scriptures on giving in the Bible?

The following Bible verses provide further information about the importance of giving:

Proverbs 3:9-10: Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.

Malachai 3:8: Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’ In tithes and offerings.

Malachai 3:10: Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.

2 Corinthians 9:6-8: Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

1 Timothy 6:17-18: Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.

Hebrews 13:16: And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

James 2:15-16: Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?

4 prayers for guidance on where and how to give:

The following prayers cover 4 areas that can help you in asking God how to give with joy, purpose, and fulfillment.

A prayer on how to give without discouragement:

Sovereign Lord,

Thank you that You sent Your precious son Jesus Christ to teach me the importance of giving. Help me to give with the same joyful heart to others as Jesus did.

Lord, at times l am discouraged to give. I worry whether l have enough time and money to spare for others. I doubt my own abilities and whether l can make a difference to someone else’s life.

Create a clean heart in me Father, and renew a right spirit within me to give boldly and joyfully, like Jesus, for l wish to honor You with my living sacrifice.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

A prayer on connecting me with needs suited to my gifts:

Father of all creation,

I proclaim that l am Your child, a product of Your handiwork, who is fearfully and wonderfully made! And as Your precious child, l acknowledge and receive the gifts You have created uniquely for me that have been designed to further Your kingdom here on earth.

Precious Father, show me the places where l can shed a light in the dark corners of this world. Guide me to where l can take my gifts and use them to help others who need to hear Your gospel of love, hope, and life.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

A prayer on finding balance and peace in how I choose to give:

Lord of my life,

I honor you with my life, for everything l have is because of You. Father, l wish to share the blessings You have given me with others; however, l am uncertain about how l should give.

Help me to hear Your still small voice through my indecision. Guide me to give in the right direction that will not only help others, but will give me peace, knowing that l acted under Your divine counsel. Teach me to find that balance between giving and living the life You have planned for me.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

A prayer on giving responsibly without depletion or exhaustion:

God of revival,

I endeavor to honor You with my body, heart, and spirit and give of myself ito be a blessing to others. However, lately, l feel like l have little to give. I am running on empty, and to be honest, l am just so tired.

Father, l thank you that You see my willingness to sacrifice and that You never require of us to give over and above our capabilities.

Therefore, I commit myself to you and ask you to revive my weary spirit and teach me to give only that much of myself that is within my means to give.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Giving is a divine requirement and one we should strive to honor in every area of our lives. However, it need not be a draining experience – financial or otherwise. Instead, giving should be an act that gives life, not only to the giver but also to the recipient.

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Madeline Twooney is a Christian writer and co-founder of Jacob’s Ladder Blog. She has written articles for SheLoves, Converge, and Ruminate Magazine and is a contributing writer for Christianity.com and YMI Magazine. In her spare time, Madeline gets creative as a freelance SFX Makeup artist and dances to Sister sledge whilst cooking. She is British but lives in Germany with her husband and their one-eared pussycat. You can contact Madeline at madelinetwooney@gmail.comor jacobsladderblog@yahoo.com. 

Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/Kate Remmer

What does the Bible say about giving? In this article, David Platt answers six of the most important questions surrounding giving in the church.

What Does the Bible Say About Why We Give?

First, we give as an expression of God’s worship. The church at Corinth was instructed to give “on the first day of the week” (1 Cor 16:2). They met on Sundays to worship, and God instructed them to set aside an offering when they gathered. The church does not receive an offering on Sundays simply because it is convenient. The church receives an offering on Sundays because it has been the practice of God’s people since the church was first formed nearly two thousand years ago.

Since an offering is taken each week, it can easily become a mindless routine. But what is happening is far more powerful than that. In the middle of the gathering, the church stops to acknowledge that God is Lord over its money and that He is much more valuable than gold or silver. The church gladly gives its money in worship to God because He is more satisfying and more wonderful than anything money can buy.

Second, we give as the overflow of God’s grace. The word translated “gift” in verse 3 is the Greek word charis, which means “grace.” This passage does not demand an obligatory offering in the church but rather giving compelled by grace. We do not give because we have to but because we want to or think things will go well for us in return. We give because we are overwhelmed by the grace God has given to us in the gospel.

Every follower of Jesus is called by God to give. Paul says, “. . . each of you is to put something aside” (v. 2). This letter was not written only to members of the church with a certain economic standing or financial status. It was for everybody. In the church at Corinth, there were members at both ends of the economic spectrum, some very poor and some very wealthy, yet all were instructed to give. So also today, all Christians should give because the same grace has saved all of us, and the same Lord reigns over all of us.

Whatever God says, His people do. After all, a Christian is one who follows Christ as Lord. This is not a one-time decision, but rather a commitment to follow Christ as your life. Everything you have, including your possessions, plans, dreams, and even your kids, belongs to Jesus. And He has commanded His people to give.

What Does the Bible Say About Where We Give?

Christians give to and through the local church. The offering mentioned in 1 Corinthians 16 was for the saints at Jerusalem, and it was collected in the church at Corinth. Each Christian would bring his or her gifts to the church weekly, and the church would then set aside the gifts for this specific purpose.

Sometimes we have the idea that we are on our own in the Christian life, and we can each give wherever and however we want to. It is not wrong, at various times and for various reasons, to give outside the church. However, the New Testament puts a clear priority on giving to the church for ministry through the church. This is what we see the first Christians doing in the early chapters of Acts.

They brought their gifts and offerings to the gathering of the church and laid them at the apostles’ feet. These followers of Christ were pooling their resources for purposes far greater than any one of them could accomplish individually. Their generosity fueled unity in the church and unity between churches. This is another reminder that God has not called us to be isolated givers. We give together in the church, and as the church we decide together how that money is used.

What Does the Bible Say About When We Should Give?

In short, we give regularly. The expectation in the church at Corinth was that followers of Christ would give “every week” (v. 2). Now that does not mean if your paycheck comes bi-weekly or monthly that you are biblically required to space out your giving to fit a weekly schedule. But it does reveal a clear pattern: the Bible expects Christ-followers to give regularly. We do not wait for an emotional appeal to come our way or for a bonus check to land in our lap, nor do we give sporadically based on whether we feel like we can afford it. Regardless of what our financial situation is, we should regularly put something aside to give.

What Does the Bible Say About How Much We Should Give?

The word “tithe” means “a tenth,” and in the Old Testament tithes were given to support God’s people, Israel (Lev 27:30; Num 18:21–24; Deut 14:22–23, 28–29). Keep in mind that Old Testament Israel was unique. They were not simply a spiritual community, like the church is today; they were also a political nation, so some of the funds they would collect were similar to what we would classify as taxes today.

What Does the Old Testament Say?

When you add it up, the Israelites gave about 20% of their yearly income, and then every three years they gave another 10%. The average, then, came to about 23% per year, and even that was not the total sum of their giving. There were also various offerings (Exodus 23:16; 35:29). In sum, then, the tithe was just the beginning point. It was a floor, not a ceiling. There was no ceiling. Giving in the Old Testament was never intended to be a dutiful, dreary set of offerings that weighed down God’s people. It was, instead, an opportunity to gladly acknowledge the Giver of all good gifts.

What Does the New Testament Say?

In the New Testament, we do not find a specific command to tithe. Instead, we see many examples of giving that goes beyond the tithe. Jesus says, “Sell your possessions, and give to the needy” (Lk 12:33). He tells one man to sell every single thing he has (Lk 18:22), and in the very next chapter, a new follower of Christ gives away over half of his possessions (Lk 19:8). And, as we’ve already seen, the early church in Acts did what Jesus said to do: they sold their possessions and belongings and distributed the proceeds to the needy (Acts 2:45; 4:34–35). Moving from the Old Testament to the New Testament, then, we see expanded giving, not diminished giving. This makes sense when we remember what compels us to give, namely, the overflow of God’s grace.

Start with a Tithe

If you’re still wondering where to begin, then start your giving with a tithe. Some, due to serious financial difficulties, may need to take some steps over time to get to that point, but the general practice for Christians should be to at least start their giving with a tithe. Tithing honors a biblical principle, one that the Old Testament explained, Jesus endorsed, and the early church practiced. Do not let tithing be the finish line but rather the starting block.

What Does the Bible Say About What Happens When We Give?

When we solicit financial advice, we look for the closest thing possible to a guarantee. We want to make sure that our money will bring a good return. If you give in obedience to Scripture, then you have at least three guarantees. First, giving changes your heart. Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matt 6:21). If you spend your money on the things of this world, then that is where your heart will be. But if you spend your money on the things of God, then your heart will be with Him and the things that honor Him.

Second, giving guarantees that the church will be edified. As we give to the church and through the church, the church is further strengthened to become that which God designed it to be. Third, giving guarantees that God will be glorified. How do we fight the idolatry of money in our culture and the love of money in our hearts? We give as God has called us to give.

Editor’s Note: The following excerpt is adapted from the chapter on giving in Twelve Traits: Embracing God’s Design for the Church by David Platt.

What does the Bible say about giving?

Are you storing up treasures in Heaven or on Earth? Many people hate this topic. “Oh no here comes another Christian talking about giving more money again.” When it’s time to give does your heart buckle up? The gospel produces the kind of heart that expresses love. The gospel will produce generosity in our lives but only when we allow it to. Is the gospel that you believe in transforming your life? Is it moving you? Examine your life now!

Are you becoming more generous with your time, finances, and talents? Are you giving cheerfully? People know when you give with love. They know when your heart is in it. It’s not about how big or how much. It’s about your heart.

The greatest things I’ve ever received in my life were priceless gifts from people who could not afford to give more. I’ve wept before because I’ve been touched by the heart of the generosity of others.

Set aside some of your income for giving. When it comes to giving to certain people like the poor many make excuses such as, “they’re just going to use it for drugs.” Sometimes that is true but that doesn’t mean we have to stereotype all homeless people.

You don’t always have to give money. Why not give them food? Why not talk with them and get to know them? We could all be doing more for the Kingdom of God in this area. Always remember this, every time that you give you give to Jesus who is in disguise (Matthew 25:34-40).

Christian quotes about giving

“A kind gesture can reach a wound that only compassion can heal.”

“You have two hands. One to help yourself, the second to help others.”

“When you learn, teach. When you get, give.”

“Only by giving are you able to receive more than you already have.”

“It’s not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.”

“Give. Even when you know you can get nothing back.”

“As base a thing as money often is, yet it can be transmuted into everlasting treasure. It can be converted into food for the hungry and clothing for the poor. It can keep a missionary actively winning lost men to the light of the gospel and thus transmute itself into heavenly values. Any temporal possession can be turned into everlasting wealth. Whatever is given to Christ is immediately touched with immortality.” — A.W. Tozer

“The more you give, the more comes back to you, because God is the greatest giver in the universe, and He won’t let you outgive Him. Go ahead and try. See what happens.” Randy Alcorn

 In all of my years of service to my Lord, I have discovered a truth that has never failed and has never been compromised. That truth is that it is beyond the realm of possibilities that one has the ability to out give God. Even if I give the whole of my worth to Him, He will find a way to give back to me much more than I gave. Charles Spurgeon

“You can always give without loving, but you can never love without giving.” Amy Carmichael

“A lack of generosity refuses to acknowledge that your assets are not really yours, but God’s.” Tim Keller

“Remember this—you can’t serve God and Money, but you can serve God with money.” Selwyn Hughes

“Do you not know that God entrusted you with that money (all above what buys necessities for your families) to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to help the stranger, the widow, the fatherless; and, indeed, as far as it will go, to relieve the wants of all mankind? How can you, how dare you, defraud the Lord, by applying it to any other purpose?” John Wesley

“The world asks, ‘What does a man own?’ Christ asks, ‘How does he use it?” Andrew Murray

“The person who thinks the money he makes is meant mainly to increase his comforts on earth is a fool, Jesus says. Wise people know that all their money belongs to God and should be used to show that God, and not money, is their treasure, their comfort, their joy, and their security.” John Piper

“He that rightly understands the reasonableness and excellency of charity will know that it can never be excusable to waste any of our money in pride and folly.” William Law

Give for the right reasons

I want to start by saying that once you put your trust in Christ you are free. You can do whatever you want with your money. However, realize this. All things come from God. Everything that you are and everything that you have belongs to God. One of the greatest things that has increased my generosity was realizing that God has provided for me not to hoard but to honor Him with my finances. He provides for me to be a blessing to others. Realizing this has allowed me to truly trust in the Lord. It’s not my money. It’s God’s money! Everything belongs to Him.

By His grace His riches are in our possession so let’s glorify Him with it. We were once a people headed to destruction. We were so far from God. By the blood of His Son He has given us the right to become His children. He has reconciled us to Himself. God has provided believers with eternal riches in Christ. The love of God is so great that it compels us to pour out love. God has given us unimaginable spiritual riches and He even gives us physical riches. Knowing this should compel us to glorify Him with what He has given us.

1. James 1:17 “Every generous act of giving and every perfect gift is from above and comes down from the Father who made the heavenly lights, in whom there is no inconsistency or shifting shadow.”

2. 2 Corinthians 9:11-13 “You will be enriched in every way for all generosity, which produces thanksgiving to God through us. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing in many acts of thanksgiving to God. They will glorify God for your obedience to the confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with others through the proof provided by this service.”

Giving inspires the world. 

My motives in this section are not to glorify myself but to show how God taught me that giving motivates the world to give. I remember once I paid for someone’s gas. Did he have the money to pay for his own gas? Yes! However, he never had someone pay for his gas before and he was extremely grateful. I thought nothing of it.

As I walked out of the store I looked to my left and I noticed the same guy giving money to a homeless man. I believe he was motivated by my act of kindness. When someone helps you it makes you want to help someone else. Kindness leaves a lasting impression on others. Never doubt what God can do with your giving.

3. 2 Corinthians 8:7 “But since you excel in everything in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you see that you also excel in this grace of giving.”

4. Matthew 5:16 “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

Bible verse about giving cheerfully

When you give do you give cheerfully? Many people give with a grudging heart. Their heart doesn’t align with their words. You might remember a time in your life when you offered someone something, but you did it to be polite. In your mind, you were hoping that they declined your offer. This can happen for something as simple as sharing food. We can be so stingy with stuff that we crave. Are you being nice or kind?

There are some people in our lives who we know are struggling, but they are too prideful to say they need something and even if we do offer they are too prideful to take it or they don’t want to seem like a burden. Sometimes we just have to freely give it to them. A kind person just gives without even having to offer. A nice person can be kind, but sometimes they are just being polite.

5. Proverbs 23:7 “for he is the kind of person who is always thinking about the cost. “Eat and drink,” he says to you, but his heart is not with you.”

6. Deuteronomy 15:10 “You shall generously give to him, and your heart shall not be grieved when you give to him, because for this thing the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in all your undertakings.”

7. Luke 6:38 (ESV) “give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”

8. Proverbs 19:17 (KJV) “He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.”

9. Matthew 25:40 (NLT) “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!”

10. 2 Corinthians 9:7 “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.”

11. Matthew 10:42 (NKJV) “And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward.”

12. Deuteronomy 15:8 (NKJV) but you shall open your hand wide to him and willingly lend him sufficient for his need, whatever he needs.

13. Psalm 37:25-26 (NIV) “I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be a blessing.”

 14. Galatians 2:10 (NASB) “They only asked us to remember the poor—the very thing I also was eager to do.”

15. Psalm 37:21 “The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous are gracious and giving.”

Giving vs lending

I always recommend giving instead of lending. When you allow people to borrow money that can ruin your relationship with others. It is better to just give if you have it. Make sure there is never a catch behind your generosity.

You don’t need to gain anything from your giving. You’re not a bank you don’t need to charge interest. Give cheerfully and expect nothing in return. You can never pay Christ back for what He has done on the cross for you. In the same way, don’t be afraid to give to people who you know can never pay you back.

16. Luke 6:34-35 “If you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners in order to receive back the same amount. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men.”

17. Exodus 22:25 (NASB) “If you lend money to My people, to the poor among you, you are not to act as a creditor to him; you shall not charge him interest.”

18. Deuteronomy 23:19 (NASB) “You are not to charge interest to your countrymen: interest on money, food, or anything that may be loaned on interest.”

19. Psalm 15:5 “who does not lend his money at interest or take a bribe against the innocent— the one who does these things will never be moved.”

20. Ezekiel 18:17 “He helps the poor, does not lend money at interest, and obeys all my regulations and decrees. Such a person will not die because of his father’s sins; he will surely live.”

God looks at the heart of our giving

It’s not about how much you give. God looks at the heart. You could give your last dollar and that could be more to God than someone who gave $1000 dollars. We don’t have to give more, but I believe the more you trust the Lord with your finances it will result in giving more. If there is no love, there is nothing. Your heart speaks louder than the amount that you give. Your money is a part of you so what you do with it says a lot about your heart.

21. Mark 12:42-44 “But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything–all she had to live on.”

22. Matthew 6:21 “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

23. Jeremiah 17:10 “I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.”

24. Proverbs 21:2 “A person may think their own ways are right, but the Lord weighs the heart.”

Are we cursed if we don’t tithe?

Many prosperity gospel teachers use Malachi 3 to teach you are cursed if you don’t tithe which is wrong. Malachi 3 teaches us to trust God with our finances and He will provide. God needs nothing from us. He just desires our heart.

25. Malachi 3:8-10 “Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you say, ‘How have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings. You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing Me, the whole nation of you! Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test 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 a blessing until it overflows.”

God does bless people with more than enough.

We must never give because we think God will give us more. No! This should not be the reason behind our giving. Often giving requires us to live beneath our means. However, I noticed that God does indeed keep those with a generous heart financially secure because they are trusting Him with their finances. Also, God does bless people with the talent of giving. He gives them a desire to freely give and He blesses them with more than enough to help those in need.

27. 2 Corinthians 9:8 “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”

28. Proverbs 11:25 “A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.”

The gospel leads to making sacrifices with our money.

Did you know that it pleases the Lord when we make sacrifices? As believers, we have to make sacrifices for others, but we like to live above our means. We like to give the old stuff that doesn’t cost a thing. Does your giving cost you? Why give the old stuff why not the new? Why do we always give people the stuff that we don’t want? Why not give people stuff that we do want?

When we make sacrifices that cost us we learn to be more selfless. We become better stewards with God’s resources. What sacrifice is God leading you to make? Sometimes you are going to have to sacrifice that trip that you have been dying to go on.

Sometimes you are going to have to sacrifice the newer car that you wanted. Sometimes you are going to have to sacrifice the time that you wanted for yourself to bless the lives of others. Let’s all examine our giving. Is it costing you? Sometimes God is going to ask you to dip into your savings and give more than usual.

29. 2 Samuel 24:24 “But the king replied to Araunah, “No, I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to the LORD. my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.” So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen and paid fifty shekels of silver for them.”

30. Hebrews 13:16 “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.”

31. Romans 12:13 “Share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality.”

32. 2 Corinthians 8:2-3 “During a severe testing by affliction, their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed into the wealth of their generosity. I testify that, on their own, according to their ability and beyond their ability.”

33. Romans 12:1 “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”

34. Ephesians 5:2 “and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”

Giving your time.

For many of us it’s so easy to give material things. It’s so easy to give money. All that you have to do is go inside your pocket and hand it to people. It’s one thing to give money, but it’s another thing to give time. I’ll be honest. I’ve struggled in this area. Time is priceless. Some people could care less about money. They just want to spend time with you.

We are always busy doing the next thing that we neglect those who God has put in our lives. We neglect the man who wants to be heard for 15 minutes. We neglect the woman who needs to hear the gospel. We are always in a rush to do things that benefit us.

Love thinks about others. We should volunteer more, listen more, witness more, help out our closest friends more, help those who can’t help themselves more, spend time with our families more, and spend time with God more. Giving time humbles us. It allows us to see the beauty of Christ and how blessed that we are. Also, giving time allows us to connect with others and spread the love of God.

35. Colossians 4:5 “Behave wisely toward outsiders, making the best use of your time.”

36. Ephesians 5:15 “Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk, not as unwise but as wise.”

37. Ephesians 5:16 “Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”

Giving to be seen in the Bible. 

Giving so others can see you is a form of boasting in yourself. We take the glory that God rightly deserves. Do you like to give anonymously? Or do you want people to know it was you that gave? Often celebrities fall into this trap. They give with the cameras on. They want everyone to know. God looks at the heart. You can hold a fundraiser but have the wrong motives in your heart.

You can tithe but have the wrong motives in your heart. You can be compelled to give because you just watched your friend give and you don’t want to seem selfish. It is so easy to give to be seen. Even if we don’t go out of our way to be seen what is your heart doing?

Would you mind if you didn’t receive credit for a donation that you gave? Examine yourself. What motivates your giving? This is something we all should pray about because this is something that is so easy to struggle with in our heart.

38. Matthew 6:1 “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.”

39. Matthew 23:5 “All their deeds are done for men to see. They broaden their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels.”

I’ve noticed that the more you have, the stingier you can become.

As a young teen, I used to have a commission job and from that job I learned that the wealthiest people would be the stingiest and the most upscale neighborhoods would lead to less sales. The middle class and lower middle class would lead to the most sales.

It’s sad, but often the more we have the harder it can be to give. Having more money can be a trap. It can lead to hoarding. Sometimes it can be a curse brought on by God. People say, “I don’t need God I have my savings account.” When the Great Depression happened many committed suicide because they were trusting in money and not in God. When you rely fully upon the Lord you realize it is God alone who sustains you and God will get you through the hard times.

God is greater than your savings account. It is very good and wise to save, but it is never good to trust money. Trusting money leads to hardening your heart. Trust the Lord with your finances and allow Him to show you how to use your finances for His glory.

40. Luke 12:15-21 “And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.” But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”

41. Luke 6:24-25 “But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort. Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will go hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep.”

42. 1 Timothy 6:9 “But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.”

Don’t let your giving be motivated by the wrong reasons.

Don’t let your giving be motivated by fear. Don’t say, “God’s going to strike me down if I don’t give.” Don’t let your giving be motivated by guilt. Sometimes our heart can condemn us and Satan helps our heart to condemn us.

We shouldn’t be pressured by others to give. We should not give out of greed because we think that God is going to bless us with more. We should not give out of pride to be honored by others. We should give cheerfully for the glory of our King. God is who He says He is. I have nothing and I am nothing. It’s all about Him and it’s all for Him.

43. 2 Corinthians 9:7 “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

44. Proverbs 14:12 “There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.”

There are times when not to give.

Sometimes we must put our foot down and say, “No. I can’t this time.” Never give if giving means disobeying the Lord. Never give when we know the money is going to be used for something ungodly. Never give if giving will harm your family financially. It is so easy for believers to be taken advantage of. Some people have money, but would rather spend your money.

Some people are just lazy moochers. Believers should give, but we should not keep giving to someone who is making no effort to help themselves. There comes a time when we have to draw the line. It is possible that we can help people to remain content in their laziness.

Many people can benefit from hearing the word no in a respectable way of course. Instead of always giving money to someone who is constantly mooching off you, give your time and help them find a job. If they want nothing to do with you because you denied their request. Then, they were never your friend in the first place.

45. 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12 “For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.”

Examples of giving in the Bible

46. Acts 24:17 “After an absence of several years, I came to Jerusalem to bring my people gifts for the poor and to present offerings.”

 47. Nehemiah 5:10-11 “I and my brothers and my men are also lending the people money and grain. But let us stop charging interest! Give back to them immediately their fields, vineyards, olive groves and houses, and also the interest you are charging them—one percent of the money, grain, new wine and olive oil.”

48. Exodus 36:3-4 “They received from Moses all the offerings the Israelites had brought to carry out the work of constructing the sanctuary. And the people continued to bring freewill offerings morning after morning. 4 So all the skilled workers who were doing all the work on the sanctuary left what they were doing.”

49. Luke 21:1-4 “As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. 2 He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. 3 “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. 4 All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”

50. 2 Kings 4:8-10 “One day Elisha went to Shunem. And a well-to-do woman was there, who urged him to stay for a meal. So whenever he came by, he stopped there to eat. 9 She said to her husband, “I know that this man who often comes our way is a holy man of God. 10 Let’s make a small room on the roof and put in it a bed and a table, a chair and a lamp for him. Then he can stay there whenever he comes to us.”