In a relationship with God, giving isn’t optional; it’s expected. God gives generously to you, and he calls you to give to others in need as his love flows through your life. Here are 28 Bible verses about giving to others, plus 10 creative ways to give, which you can use to spread God’s love.
What Does the Bible Teach Us about Giving to Others?
The Bible teaches that giving to others is an important way of spreading God’s love in our world. Since God has given us the ultimate gift – eternal salvation – and is constantly pouring blessings into our lives, we should respond by giving as well. Matthew 10:8 urges: “Freely you have received; freely give.”
Giving is all about putting love into action. Jesus tells us in John 13:35, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” 1 John 3:16-18 describes how to love through giving: “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. 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.” Giving to others is part of living a faithful life in relationships with Jesus. Galatians 6:2 urges everyone who follows Jesus to, “Carry each other’s burdens and so you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
Luke 6:38 points out that those who give to benefit others will benefit themselves from doing so: “Give, and it will be given to you. A good portion – packed down, firmly shaken, and overflowing – will fall into your lap. The portion you give will determine the portion you receive in return.” By faithfully giving, we welcome God’s blessings into others’ lives and our own lives. Acts 20:35 proclaims, “… as the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Well-being research in my book Wake Up to Wonder supports those biblical truths, showing that those who give to others experience benefits that include more happiness, less stress, stronger concentration, and better mental health than those who don’t give to others.
The biggest blessing of all from faithfully answering God’s call to give is pleasing God, which strengthens our relationships with him. As Hebrews 13:16 says, “And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”
More Bible Verses about Giving to Others
The Bible has much more to say about giving to others. In addition to the seven verses we’ve just looked at together, here are 21 more Bible verses about giving to others:
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” – Matthew 6:19-21
“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.” – 1 Timothy 6:17-19
“Happy are generous people, because they give some of their food to the poor.” – Proverbs 22:9
“‘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. I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,’ says the Lord Almighty. ‘Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,’ says the Lord Almighty.” – Malachi 3:10-12
“Don't withhold good from someone who deserves it, when it is in your power to do so.” – Proverbs 3:27
“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.” – 2 Corinthians 9:6-8
“As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. ‘Truly I tell you,’ he said, ‘this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.’” – Luke 21:1-4
“Contribute to the needs of God’s people, and welcome strangers into your home.” – Romans 12:13
“‘Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison and didn’t do anything to help you?’ Then he will answer, ‘I assure you that when you haven’t done it for one of the least of these, you haven’t done it for me.’” – Matthew 25:44-45
“Give to those who ask, and don’t refuse those who wish to borrow from you.” – Matthew 5:42
“My brothers and sisters, what good is it if people say they have faith but do nothing to show it? Claiming to have faith can’t save anyone, can it? Imagine a brother or sister who is naked and never has enough food to eat. What if one of you said, 'Go in peace! Stay warm! Have a nice meal!?' What good is it if you don't actually give them what their body needs? In the same way, faith is dead when it doesn’t result in faithful activity.” – James 2:14-17
“Those who are gracious to the poor lend to the Lord, and the Lord will fully repay them.” – Proverbs 19:17
“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. 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. 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 6:1-4
“Instead of each person watching out for their own good, watch out for what is better for others.” – Philippians 2:4
“The crowds asked him [Jesus], ‘What then should we do?’ He answered, ‘Whoever has two shirts must share with the one who has none, and whoever has food must do the same.’” – Luke 3:10-11
“Poor persons will never disappear from the earth. That’s why I’m giving you this command: you must open your hand generously to your fellow Israelites, to the needy among you, and to the poor who live with you in your land.” – Deuteronomy 15:11
“If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” – Luke 11:13
“God isn't unjust so that he forgets your efforts and the love you have shown for his name's sake when you served and continue to serve God's holy people.” – Hebrews 6:10
“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. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” – 2 Corinthians 9:10-15
“Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice.” – Psalm 112:5
“A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” – Proverbs 11:25
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Daisy
10 Creative Ways to Give to Others
There is no limit to the creative ways you can share your talents, skills, time, and money with other people in need. Day by day, you can ask the Holy Spirit to guide you to the people God wants you to help – either directly, or through organizations like your church and charitable organizations. Here are 10 ideas to spark your creativity:
1. Organize your home and set aside as many items as you can to donate to a charity. Financially contribute on a regular basis to charities working for values you support.
2. Write messages in cards to send to people you know who could use encouragement.
3. Cook a special meal for someone you love and donate items to a local food bank.
4. Read books to a young child in your life, and make time to play with him or her.
5. Help an elderly person you know with whatever they need, such as mowing their lawn or giving them rides to appointments.
6. Start a mentoring relationship with someone you can help grow spiritually.
7. Share your skills with others by teaching them how to do what you do well – either professionally, or for a hobby.
8. Adopt a pet and/or volunteer at your local animal shelter or an animal rescue organization.
9. Help the environment where you live by volunteering at a park or participating in a community cleanup event.
10. Look for ways to bring fun to others every day, such as by sharing a joke, playing music, or something else that sparks joy. Be intentional about practicing acts of kindness in your relationships.
Conclusion
Bible verses about giving to others show that giving is something all believers should do regularly. God calls us to share his love with others, and giving is an essential part of doing so. Since God has given us the greatest gift of all – salvation – let’s respond faithfully when God urges us to give to others.
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/NoLiMiT_Bkk
Whitney Hopler helps people discover God's wonder and experience awe. She is the author of several books, including the nonfiction books Wake Up to Wonder and Wonder Through the Year: A Daily Devotional for Every Year, and the young adult novel Dream Factory. Whitney has served as an editor at leading media organizations, including Crosswalk.com, The Salvation Army USA’s national publications, and Dotdash.com (where she produced a popular channel on angels and miracles). She currently leads the communications work at George Mason University’s Center for the Advancement of Well-Being. Connect with Whitney on her website at www.whitneyhopler.com, on Facebook, and on X/Twitter.