Word of god about giving

• 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.
• But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.
• A gift opens the way
  and ushers the giver into the presence of the great.
• A generous person will prosper;
  whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.
• For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.
• 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.
• Honor the Lord with your wealth,
  with the firstfruits of all your crops.
• 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.
• You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
• 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.
• Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
  when it is in your power to act.
• “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.”
• So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.
• Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back.
• Take delight in the Lord,
  and he will give you the desires of your heart.
• All day long he craves for more,
  but the righteous give without sparing.
• Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
• If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
• The wicked borrow and do not repay,
  but the righteous give generously.
• Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.
• But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
• Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
• Speak up and judge fairly;
  defend the rights of the poor and needy.
• Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.
• John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.”

It’s that time of year again – I love Christmas!

Can you imagine what it would be like without giving being such a major part of it?

If you are a bit jaded about Christmas (like we all can become sometimes) I encourage you to really step back and try to become joyful about your giving.

We have the opportunity to let the gifts we purchase be an obligatory purchase or we can choose to give a gift.

I think this was what Paul was talking about when he said, “Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.“

The attitude behind it really matters.

There is a huge difference between buying stuff that you feel (or are) obligated to, and intentionally (and cheerfully) giving something to another person.

And when you consider the possibilities of making homemade Christmas gifts that will be remembered it can really help put new meaning to giving gifts.

So if you need a little boost to your giving attitude this year, do a little meditating on the scriptures below.

And for extra credit you can check out some of these inspiring giving quotes.

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I decided to do a little study to find a bunch of verses about giving just to help me get my heart back to where it needed to be. These are 21 of the more popular giving Bible verses – feel free to add others to the comments…

Deuteronomy 15:10

Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to.

Deuteronomy 16:17

Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD your God which He has given you.

1 Chronicles 29:9

Then the people rejoiced because they had offered so willingly, for they made their offering to the Lord with a whole heart, and King David also rejoiced greatly.

Proverbs 3:27

Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it.

Proverbs 11:24-25

There is one who scatters, and yet increases all the more, and there is one who withholds what is justly due, and yet it results only in want. The generous man will be prosperous, and he who waters will himself be watered.

Proverbs 21:26

…the righteous gives and does not hold back.

Proverbs 22:9

He who is generous will be blessed, for he gives some of his food to the poor.

Proverbs 28:27

He who gives to the poor will never want, but he who shuts his eyes will have many curses.

Malachi 3:10

“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.

Matthew 6:3-4

But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.

Mark 12:41-44

And He sat down opposite the treasury, and began observing how the people were putting money into the treasury; and many rich people were putting in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amount to a cent. Calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury; for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on.”

Luke 3:11

And he would answer and say to them, “The man who has two tunics is to share with him who has none; and he who has food is to do likewise.”

Luke 6:30

Give to everyone who asks of you, and whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back.

Luke 6:38

Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.

John 3:16

For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believes in Him wouldn’t perish, but would have eternal life.

Acts 20:35

In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.

Romans 12:8

…Or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

2 Corinthians 9:6-8

Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed.

2 Corinthians 9:10

Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness;

Philippians 4:15-17

And you yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone; for even in Thessalonica you send a gift more than once for my needs. Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account.

James 2:15-16

If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?

Any other giving verses that you can think of?

If you have been inspired by these Bible verses, dig in further and explore what the Bible says about money! To get you started, check out my article: 5 Bible verses about money!

There have been several times in my life when God has emphasized the power of giving.

Several years ago I was invited to lead a mission trip to a war torn village in North African. I was asked to bring a small team to build a rudimentary clinic for doctors serving villagers that had been effected by the war.

At the time I did not have the money to go, and was battling fear. It was a dangerous area, but the need was great, and a close friend had made the request. I prayed, throwing out a fleece to God, “If you provide the funding Lord, I will go.” The next day I received an “unsolicited” check in the mail from a friend for $2,000, enough to cover the full cost of my trip.

When our team arrived in country we were placed under a travel restriction. We were confined to the capital for the length of our stay. We had the opportunity to encourage some of the Christian leaders in the area, but for the most part our trip seemed like a waste of time and money.

I know now that nothing is truly wasted in God’s economy. An engineer who accompanied me on that trip caught a vision for mission work while we were there. He returned with his family to share the gospel and install wells to provide safe drinking water. Today people are opening their hearts to the grace of God through his ministry.

The Bible talks about sowing seeds of faith through generous giving, “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously” (2 Corinthians 9:6). When my friend gave $2,000 he was sowing a seed of faith. It took time for that seed to take root, but to this day it is producing a spiritual harvest.

I’ve been honored to work for several Christian non-profit organizations throughout my life. Most of them have served the poor in some fashion: providing medical relief, safe housing, job training, and rescue from substance abuse. Those ministries would not have been possible without donors who wanted to honor God through their generosity.

God promises to bless those who are generous to the poor. God promises repayment for our generosity. When we give, the Bible says we are storing up treasures in heaven. Giving has given me joy. It has helped me to fight off unhealthy attachments to worldly things, and to engage more deeply in God’s priorities. The saying is true, “Wherever your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). By investing in God’s kingdom my heart aligns with God’s values and I experience His spiritual blessings.

The following Bible verses about giving teach us how to give in a way that helps others while also honoring God. I hope that they encourage you to be more generous. By giving we have the privilege of participating in God’s kingdom work.

What the Bible Says about Giving

Give to Honor God

Proverbs 3:9


Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the first fruits of all your produce.

Give because God has generously given to you

Deuteronomy 8:18

Remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth.

Deuteronomy 16:16-17

No man should appear before the LORD empty-handed. Each of you must bring a gift in proportion to the way the LORD your God has blessed you.

1 Chronicles 29:12-14

Everything in heaven and earth is Yours, O LORD. Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. “God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name. But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.”

Giving is an expression of God’s love

1 John 3:17

But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?

Give to support the work of the church

Romans 12:13

Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

1 Timothy 5:17-18

Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.”

3 John 5-8 

Beloved, it is a faithful thing you do in all your efforts for these brothers, strangers as they are, who testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God. For they have gone out for the sake of the name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. Therefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.

Give to store up treasures in heaven

Matthew 6:19-21

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

How to Give

Give anonymously

Matthew 6:1-4

Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.

But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Give willingly and cheerfully

Deuteronomy 15:10

You shall give to him freely, and your heart shall not be grudging when you give to him, because for this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in all that you undertake.

2 Corinthians 9:6-7


The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Give sacrificially

Luke 3:10

Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.

2 Corinthians 8:3

For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability, they gave of their own accord.

Give with a spirit of compassion and love

Proverbs 3:27


Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it.

1 Corinthians 13:3

If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Set a goal to excel at giving

2 Corinthians 8:7

Just as you excel in everything— in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us— see that you also excel in this grace of giving.

Bible Verses about Giving to Others

Loan money without interest

Leviticus 25:36-37 


Take no interest from him or profit, but fear your God, that your brother may live beside you. You shall not lend him your money at interest, nor give him your food for profit.

Give to everyone who asks

Luke 6:30 


Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back.

Give to those in need

Matthew 25:34-40

Then the King will say to those on his right, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 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? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?” And the King will answer them, “Truly, I say to you, as you. did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.”

Luke 12:33

Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys.

James 2:15-16

If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?

Bible Verses about Giving to the Poor

Deuteronomy 15:7-8


If among you, one of your brothers should become poor, in any of your towns within your land that the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart or shut your hand against your poor brother, but you shall open your hand to him and lend him sufficient for his need, whatever it may be.

Proverbs 19:17


Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.

Proverbs 22:9

Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor.

Proverbs 28:27

He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses.

Benefits of Giving in the Bible

Deuteronomy 15:10 


You shall give to him freely, and your heart shall not be grudging when you give to him, because for this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in all that you undertake.

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.

Proverbs 11:24


One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.

Malachi 3:8-10

Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In your tithes and contributions. You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you.

Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.

Luke 6:38

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.

1 Timothy 6:17–19

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. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

Examples of Generous Giving in the Bible

Genesis 14:18-20 

And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. (He was priest of God Most High.) And he blessed him and said, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!” And Abram gave him a tenth of everything.

Luke 21:1-4

Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box, and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. And he said, “Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”

Acts 2:44–45

All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.

Acts 4:34-37

There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.

Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

Acts 20:35

In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

2 Corinthians 8:1–5

We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.

For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints— and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.

Philippians 4:15-17

And you yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone; for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs. Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account.

Quotes to Inspire Giving

“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

“I do not believe one can settle how much we ought to give. I am afraid the only safe rule is to give more than we can spare.” — C. S. Lewis

“It is not how much we give, but how much love we put into giving.” — Mother Teresa

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

“God is always trying to give good things to us, but our hands are too full to receive them.” — Augustine

“God prospers me not to raise my standard of living, but to raise my standard of giving.” — Randy Alcorn

“No person was ever honored for what he received. He was honored for what he gave.” — Calvin Coolidge

“If a person gets his attitude toward money straight, it will help straighten out almost every other area in his life.” — Billy Graham

“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

A Prayer for Generosity

Heavenly Father,

You are the giver of all life. You are the giver of every good and perfect gift. In you there is complete supply. I adore you, for you are the King of Kings, yet you see me, and know me, and fill me with your love, your presence, your joy, and your graciousness. You have poured out your blessings upon me. There is none like you.

Lord I confess that I have not always been the best steward of your gifts. Forgive me and help me to be more generous. I sometimes worry about my future instead of seeking first your kingdom. Help me to trust in you for my provision.

When I step back to get perspective, I remember your faithfulness. I am reminded of how you provided for the Israelites in the wilderness. You provided for prophet Elijah when he felt alone and abandoned. You have provided for me in the same way. You have never forsaken me. You have never abandoned me. Thank you for providing for my needs.

Thank you for blessing me with a home and family. Thank you for trusting me with talents and treasures that I can use to honor you.

Help me to be a better steward of your gifts. Grow in me a heart of generosity. Help me to see the poor as image bearers of Christ (Matthew 25:40). Help me to be more charitable and open handed to those in need.

In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

Additional Resources for Giving

If these Bible verses have been an encouragement to you or provoked you to be more generous, please pass them on to others who might benefit from them as well. Share this post on Facebook, Pinterest, or email the link to a friend. Now more than ever, our world needs the generosity of God’s people.

In addition to the Bible, the following books have helped me to become a more generous person. They are worth reading if you have the time and inclination.

Money, Possessions, & Eternity by Randy Alcorn

Who wants to settle for fleeting treasures on earth, when God offers everlasting treasures in heaven? It’s time to rethink our perspectives on money and possessions.

Storm the Gates: Provoking the Church to Fulfill God’s Mission by Nathan Cook

C.S. Lewis once wrote, “Enemy-occupied territory — that is what this world is. Christianity is the story of how the rightful king has landed…and is calling us all to take part in a great campaign of sabotage.»

Storm the Gates provides a Biblical framework and practical advice for undermining the systems of the world through love, forgiveness, and generosity.

These recommended resources are for sale on Amazon. Clicking on the link will take you to the Amazon store. As an Amazon associate I earn a percentage of the sale from qualifying purchases. The revenue I earn from Amazon helps to support the maintenance of this site.

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.”