Money can be a powerful tool, but it can also become a source of worry or pride. The Bible offers wise guidance on giving and using money with a generous heart. Today, we’ll explore what Scripture teaches about sharing wealth and why it’s a part of serving God.
Also Read: What Does The Bible Say About Worshiping God
What Does The Bible Say About Giving Money
Malachi 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.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of giving in the form of tithes. It encourages believers to bring their whole tithe to the storehouse, which symbolizes the house of God. By doing so, it is believed that God will bless the giver abundantly.
Believers are encouraged to trust in the Lord’s promises and have faith that He will pour out blessings upon them when they faithfully give. This verse serves as a reminder that giving is not only an act of obedience but also an avenue through which God’s blessings can flow in our lives.
Proverbs 11:24-25
“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.”
These verses highlight the principle of sowing and reaping, especially when it comes to giving. The act of giving freely and generously leads to a multiplication of blessings in the giver’s life. It is believed that when one gives with a pure and selfless heart, they will find themselves gaining even more.
On the other hand, withholding and being stingy can lead to poverty and lack. These verses remind believers of the power of generosity and the reciprocal nature of giving. When we refresh and bless others through our giving, we ourselves will be refreshed and prospered.
2 Corinthians 9:6
“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.”
This verse emphasizes the principle of sowing and reaping in the context of giving. Just as a farmer who sows few seeds can expect a small harvest, those who give sparingly can expect to receive limited blessings in return.
On the contrary, those who give generously can expect a bountiful harvest of blessings. This verse encourages believers to approach giving with an open hand and a generous heart, trusting that God will multiply their gifts and bless them abundantly.
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.”
These words of Jesus emphasize the principle of reciprocity in giving. They encourage believers to give freely, knowing that their generosity will be reciprocated. Just as a measure used in giving will determine the measure received, giving generously will result in a generous outpouring of blessings.
Jesus’s words here invite believers to have a faith-filled approach to giving, trusting that God will abundantly bless and provide for their needs as they open their hands and hearts to give generously.
Proverbs 3:9-10
“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.”
These verses emphasize the importance of honoring the Lord with our wealth and possessions. The firstfruits, which represent the first and best of our earnings, are to be dedicated to the Lord. By doing so, believers can expect an abundance of blessings and provision in return.
These verses teach us that when we prioritize honoring God with our wealth, He will bless and multiply what we have. It is an invitation to trust God with our finances and recognize that He is the ultimate source of every good thing in our lives.
Proverbs 19:17
“Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward them for what they have done.”
This verse reminds believers that when they are kind and generous towards the poor and those in need, it is as if they are lending to the Lord Himself. God promises to reward them for their compassionate actions and giving.
By caring for and meeting the needs of the less fortunate, believers align themselves with God’s heart for justice and mercy. This verse encourages believers to view their acts of giving as an opportunity to partner with God in His work and to expect His blessings as a result.
Acts 20:35
“In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
These words, spoken by the apostle Paul, reflect the teaching of Jesus Himself. Paul encourages believers to imitate his example of hard work and giving to help the weak and less fortunate. He reminds us of Jesus’s words that highlight the greater blessing that comes from giving rather than receiving.
This verse challenges believers to cultivate a mindset of selflessness and generosity. It reminds us that true joy and fulfillment are found in giving and serving others, rather than solely focusing on receiving or accumulating material wealth.
Proverbs 28:27
“Those who give to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to them receive many curses.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of giving to the poor and those in need. It states that those who are generous towards the less fortunate will lack nothing because their acts of kindness will be blessed by God.
On the contrary, those who ignore or turn a blind eye to the needs of the poor will experience negative consequences. This verse serves as a reminder that compassion and generosity are not only pleasing to God but also lead to abundance and blessings in the lives of believers.
Hebrews 13:16
“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”
This verse encourages believers to actively engage in acts of goodness and to willingly share what they have with others. Such actions are described as sacrifices that are pleasing to God.
By practicing generosity and selflessness, believers demonstrate their love for God and their willingness to obey His commandments. This verse reminds us that our acts of giving and sharing are not in vain but have eternal significance as they please God and align with His heart of love and compassion.
Proverbs 22:9
“The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.”
This verse underscores the principle that generosity leads to blessings. It suggests that those who are generous and share what they have, particularly with the poor, will experience God’s favor and abundance in their own lives.
It is a reminder that giving is not only about meeting immediate needs but also about sowing seeds for a harvest of blessings. The act of sharing food with the poor symbolizes a broader attitude of generosity in various aspects of life, inviting believers to trust in God’s provision and blessings as they give to others.
Proverbs 14:21
“Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner, but blessed is he who is generous to the poor.”
This verse highlights the importance of treating others with kindness and generosity, particularly those in need. It contrasts the behavior of despising one’s neighbor with the blessedness that comes from being generous to the poor.
Believers are reminded that their treatment of others, especially the less fortunate, has spiritual implications. Showing generosity and kindness towards the poor aligns with God’s heart for justice and compassion, leading to blessings in the lives of those who practice it.
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.”
These verses provide guidance to those who are wealthy in this world. They are reminded not to place their hope in their material possessions but to trust in God as the true provider of everything. Rather than hoarding their wealth, they are encouraged to do good, be rich in good deeds, and be generous in sharing.
Through their generosity, they will lay up treasure in heaven and lay a firm foundation for the coming age, where true life is found. These verses stress the eternal value of generosity and the importance of using wealth as a means to bless others and honor God.
Proverbs 11:25
“A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.”
These words highlight the reciprocal nature of generosity. Those who are generous and refresh others will, in turn, be refreshed themselves. Giving of one’s time, resources, and energy to uplift and bless others leads to blessings and abundance in one’s own life in return.
This verse encourages believers to cultivate a mindset of generosity and selflessness, recognizing the joy and fulfillment that come from serving and blessing others. It serves as a reminder that God honors and rewards those who choose to live a life of compassion and generosity.
Matthew 6:3-4
“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.”
These verses teach believers about the importance of giving without seeking recognition or rewards from others. Jesus encourages giving in secret, not publicly boasting about one’s acts of generosity.
When believers give in this way, with a humble and pure heart, God Himself sees their deeds and promises to reward them accordingly. This verse calls for a genuine and selfless approach to giving, focusing on pleasing God rather than receiving accolades from men.
2 Corinthians 8:12
“For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.”
This verse highlights the importance of a willing and cheerful heart in the act of giving. It emphasizes that the acceptability of a gift is not measured by its size or magnitude but by the willingness and sincerity with which it is given.
Believers are encouraged to give according to what they have, recognizing that their gifts, no matter how small, are acceptable to God when given with a genuine spirit of generosity. This verse reminds us that the attitude behind our giving is of utmost importance in God’s eyes.
Proverbs 3:27
“Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due when it is in your power to act.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of acting on opportunities to do good and to help those in need when we have the ability to do so. It calls believers to be sensitive to the needs of others and to respond with generosity and compassion.
When we have the power or means to make a positive difference in someone’s life, we are encouraged not to withhold that good. This verse reminds us to seize the opportunity to bless others and to be instruments of God’s love and provision.
Matthew 25:35-36
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”
In these verses, Jesus explains that whenever we care for those in need, we are, in fact, ministering to Him. He identifies Himself with the hungry, thirsty, stranger, naked, sick, and imprisoned, and asks His followers to respond with compassion and generosity towards them.
This passage serves as a reminder that our acts of giving are not limited to financial contributions but also include practical help, hospitality, and care for those in various physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
1 John 3:17
“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?”
This verse challenges believers’ hearts regarding their response to the needs of others. It highlights the importance of having compassion and pity on those who are experiencing lack or hardship.
When believers possess material possessions yet remain indifferent to the needs around them, it implies a lack of God’s love in their hearts. This verse calls for a transformation of heart that aligns with the love of God, leading to acts of generosity and care towards those in need.
Acts 4:32-35
“All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. With great power, the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.”
This passage describes the early believers in the early Church, who exemplified a spirit of unity and generosity. They saw their possessions as communal rather than individual, willingly sharing everything they had with one another.
Through their collective generosity, the early Church was able to meet the needs of all believers, and there were no needy individuals amongst them. This passage serves as an inspiring example of what can happen when believers embrace a selfless and communal approach to giving.
Proverbs 28:25
“A greedy man stirs up strife, but the one who trusts in the LORD will be enriched.”
This verse contrasts the destructive nature of greed with the blessings that come from trusting in the Lord. A person who is consumed by greed tends to cause conflict and strife, while those who place their trust in God experience enrichment and abundance.
By highlighting the negative consequences of greed and the positive outcome of trusting God, this verse encourages believers to choose a mindset of contentment and generosity. It serves as a reminder that true wealth and fulfillment are found in God and not in the accumulation of material possessions.
1 Timothy 5:8
“Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”
This verse reminds believers of their responsibility to provide for their own families and relatives. It underlines the importance of caring for the needs of those closest to us and ensuring their well-being.
By neglecting the duty to provide for one’s household, it implies a denial of the faith and reflects a lack of Godly character. This verse emphasizes the significance of meeting the needs of our own families as an expression of our faith and commitment to God’s principles.
Luke 12:33
“Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.”
In this verse, Jesus challenges His followers to prioritize eternal treasures over temporary possessions. He encourages them to give to the poor and those in need generously, investing in heavenly treasures that will never perish or fade away.
Jesus invites believers to reevaluate their attachment to material possessions and to recognize the greater value of caring for and blessing others. By doing so, they store up treasures in heaven and partake in the work of God’s Kingdom.
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.”
This verse reminds believers that their giving should be a voluntary and joyful act, not out of obligation or pressure. It emphasizes that the motivation behind giving is as important as the act itself.
Believers are encouraged to prayerfully consider what they will give, allowing their hearts to guide them in their decision-making process. This verse encourages a spirit of cheerful giving, where the joy of blessing others becomes a source of fulfillment and delight in the heart of the giver.