One of my favorite Bible verses about charity and giving is, “One who is gracious to a poor man lends to the Lord, And He will repay him for his good deed.” (Proverbs 19:17) Just ponder this for a moment: yes we can “give to the Lord” and He will “repay” us according to our generosity. This sheds new light on the popular verse that we “reap what we sow,” doesn’t it? 🙂
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A Heart of Giving
“Tis the season for giving, right? This year has come with unprecedented difficulty and strife on a worldwide level that has shaken our nation and communities to their very core. As believers, it’s hard not to help but to find glimmers of hope and light as we barrel ahead to the peak of the holiday season and the start of a much welcomed New Year.
It’s no coincidence that the two prominent holidays most associated with light and joy, Christmas and Hanukkah, both happen at the darkest time of the year. As Christians, we have a responsibility to spread our light to others who are in need of cheer at this time of year.
When it comes to charity and giving, there are undoubtedly year-round opportunities for an individual, family, or organization, whom many of us know have immediate needs. Helping someone with the good gifts God has blessed us with is a very authentic and tangible way to fulfill these needs and brings honor to our Messiah.
The need and opportunity are often amplified during the holiday season, as many families are unable to provide basic necessities such as food or hygiene products for themselves and their loved ones. There are also many children who are not in a position to receive even a simple gift of something that might be on their “wishlist” of happiness.
May these Bible verses about Charity and Giving speak to your heart and if you are able to give, please do. If you are not and are in need, do not be ashamed of asking for a helping hand. May you be abundantly blessed in return!
Old Testament Verses About Charity
One who is gracious to a poor man lends to the Lord, And He will repay him for his good deed.
~ Proverbs 19:17
Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.
~ Proverbs 31:8-9
If among you, one of your brothers should become poor, in any of your towns within your land that the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart or shut your hand against your poor brother, but you shall open your hand to him and lend him sufficient for his need, whatever it may be.
~ Deuteronomy 15:7-8
He has distributed freely; he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever; his horn is exalted in honor.
~ Psalm 112:9
If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday.
~ Isaiah 58:10
Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.
~ Proverbs 11:25
If among you, one of your brothers should become poor, in any of your towns within your land that the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart or shut your hand against your poor brother, but you shall open your hand to him and lend him sufficient for his need, whatever it may be.
~ Deuteronomy 15:7-8
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
Goodwill come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice.
~ Psalm 112:5
They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be a blessing.
~ Psalm 37:26
A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.
~ Proverbs 11.25
New Testament Bible Verses
Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.
~ I Timothy 6.18
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.
~ II Corinthians 9.11
“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.
~ I Chronicles 29.14
Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
~ 2 Corinthians 9:7
Zaccheus stopped and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, half of my possessions I will give to the poor, and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will give back four times as much.”
~ Luke 19:8
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;
~ Matthew 25:35
Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.
~ Matthew 5:42
But give that which is within as charity, and then all things are clean for you.
~ Luke 11:41
In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
~ Acts 20:35
When Jesus heard this, He said to him, “One thing you still lack; sell all that you possess and distribute it to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.
~ Luke 18:22