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Bible verses about generosity
What the Bible says about giving, tithing, sharing freely, and the blessedness of a generous heart.
What does the Bible say about generosity?
Generosity in the Bible is not just financial. It includes hospitality, mercy, time, and a willingness to share what God has given. The Old Testament established tithing. Jesus praised the widow who gave her last coins. Paul encouraged cheerful, purposeful giving.
These passages lay out the Bible's teaching that generosity flows from gratitude for what God has already given, and that the generous person receives in turn.
Key passages
"Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver."
God loves a cheerful giver. Money bestowed in charity, may to the carnal mind seem thrown away, but when given from proper principles, it is seed sown, from which a valuable increase may be expected. It should be given carefully.
"The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself."
The liberal soul shall be made fat. Both in temporal and spiritual things, God commonly deals with his people according to the measure by which they deal with their brethren.
"I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive."
It is more blessed to give than to receive. If the Holy Ghost has made ministers overseers of the flock, that is, shepherds, they must be true to their trust. Let them consider their Master's concern for the flock committed to their charge.
"Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again."
Give, and it shall be given unto you. All these sayings Christ often used; it was easy to apply them. We ought to be very careful when we blame others; for we need allowance ourselves.
"Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it."
Bring all the tithes into the storehouse. The men of that generation turned away from God, they had not kept his ordinances. God gives them a gracious call.
"Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:"
Honour the Lord with your substance. There is not a greater enemy to the fear of the Lord in the heart, than self-conceit of our own wisdom.
Main takeaways
- God loves a cheerful giver.
- Generosity is treated as an act of worship and trust in God's provision.
- The Bible promises that giving freely will not lead to poverty but to blessing.
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A compact route through creation, covenant, exodus, kingship, prophecy, Christ, and new creation.
Further guides
What does the Bible say about money?
The Bible does not condemn wealth — it condemns the love of wealth, and it has far more to say about generosity than about getting rich.