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Bible Verses

Bible Verses About Giving and Generosity

25 Scriptures for a generous heart. A 7 minute read.

Generosity runs through the whole Bible because it runs through the heart of God. He gave first, and He gave His Son. Everything we give is a small echo of that.

These Bible verses about giving are grouped by theme. Read one group a day, and ask God to show you one generous step to take.

Give Cheerfully

"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, NIV)

"Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously." (2 Corinthians 9:6, NIV)

"For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have." (2 Corinthians 8:12, NIV)

God cares more about the heart behind the gift than the size of it. Decide in advance, and give gladly.

Give Because God Gave First

"For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich." (2 Corinthians 8:9, NIV)

"Freely you have received; freely give." (Matthew 10:8, NIV)

"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." (1 Chronicles 29:14, NIV)

Christian giving is a response, not a payment. We give because we have received far more.

Give First, Not Last

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

"Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house" (Malachi 3:10, NIV).

Firstfruits came off the top. Giving first is a statement of trust. For what the Bible teaches about the tenth, see tithing in the Bible.

Give to the Poor

"Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward them for what they have done." (Proverbs 19:17, NIV)

"Give generously to them 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 15:10, NIV)

"If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth." (1 John 3:17-18, NIV)

"The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'" (Matthew 25:40, NIV)

Generosity toward people in need is not optional extra credit. Jesus counts it as done to Him.

Give Quietly

"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." (Matthew 6:3-4, NIV)

Giving for applause gets applause and nothing more. Give for an audience of One.

Give Sacrificially

"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" (Mark 12:43-44, NIV).

"In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability." (2 Corinthians 8:2-3, NIV)

God measures a gift by what it costs the giver. Some of the most generous people in Scripture had the least.

Generosity Brings Blessing

"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." (Luke 6:38, NIV)

"One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed." (Proverbs 11:24-25, NIV)

"The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor." (Proverbs 22:9, NIV)

"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." (2 Corinthians 9:8, NIV)

"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." (2 Corinthians 9:11, NIV)

God does bless generosity, but notice why: so that you can be generous again. The blessing keeps flowing outward.

A Generous Life

Paul reminded the Ephesian elders of the words of Jesus: "It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35, NIV).

"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." (1 Timothy 6:18-19, NIV)

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

"Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act." (Proverbs 3:27, NIV)

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:21, NIV)

Generosity is not only an event. It is a way of living with an open hand.

A Simple Practice

Decide this week, in advance and in prayer, one gift you will give before the month ends. Make it a little more than comfortable, and give it quietly.

Then pay attention to what God does in your heart.

A Closing Prayer

Father, You have given me everything, and You did not hold back Your own Son. Make me a cheerful giver. Loosen my grip on what I have, open my eyes to the people in need around me, and teach me the joy of an open hand. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Go Deeper

This page shares biblical principles, not personal financial advice.

Wondering how much to give or where? The Steward Leader app gives you biblical counsel for your exact situation, with NIV Scripture and next steps. Start your free trial.