What does the Bible say about giving offering?

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The Bible teaches that giving is a joyful, worshipful response to God’s grace, offered freely and generously rather than from pride, pressure, or hope of earning favor with Him. Jesus commends quiet giving in Matthew 6:1-4 and the sacrificial faith of the widow in Mark 12:41-44. Paul says God loves a cheerful giver in 2 Corinthians 9:7 and urges believers to abound in generosity as a fruit of grace in 2 Corinthians 8:7. Malachi 3:10 calls God’s people to faithful support of His worship, while 1 Timothy 6:17-19 directs the rich to be generous and ready to share. Giving stores treasure in heaven and reflects Christ’s teaching that it is more blessed to give than to receive.

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

  • Luke 6:38

    "Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be given to you. For with the same measure you measure it will be measured back to you."

  • 2 Corinthians 9:7

    Let each man give according as he has determined in his heart; not grudgingly, or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver.

  • Malachi 3:10

    Bring the whole tithe into the store-house, that there may be food in my house, and test me now in this," says Yahweh 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 for.

  • 1 Timothy 6:17-19

    [17] Charge those who are rich in this present world that they not be haughty, nor have their hope set on the uncertainty of riches, but on the living God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy; [18] that they do good, that they be rich in good works, that they be ready to distribute, willing to communicate; [19] laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold of eternal life.

  • Mark 12:41-44

    [41] Jesus sat down opposite the treasury, and saw how the multitude cast money into the treasury. Many who were rich cast in much. [42] A poor widow came, and she cast in two small brass coins, which equal a quadrans coin. [43] He called his disciples to himself, and said to them, "Most assuredly I tell you, this poor widow gave more than all those who are giving into the treasury, [44] for they all gave out of their abundance, but she, out of her poverty, gave all that she had to live on."

  • Matthew 6:1-4

    [1] "Be careful that you don't do your charitable giving before men, to be seen by them, or else you have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. [2] Therefore when you do merciful deeds, don't sound a trumpet before yourself, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may get glory from men. Most assuredly I tell you, they have received their reward. [3] But when you do merciful deeds, don't let your left hand know what your right hand does, [4] so that your merciful deeds may be in secret, then your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

  • Acts 20:35

    In all things I gave you an example, that so laboring you ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"

  • Luke 12:33-34

    [33] Sell that which you have, and give gifts to the needy. Make for yourselves purses which don't grow old, a treasure in the heavens that doesn't fail, where no thief approaches, neither moth destroys. [34] For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

  • 2 Corinthians 8:7

    But as you abound in everything, in faith, utterance, knowledge, all earnestness, and in your love to us, see that you also abound in this grace.

  • Proverbs 11:24

    There is one who scatters, and increases yet more. There is one who withholds more than is appropriate, but gains poverty.

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