33 verses · KJV · every verse read aloud
The Bible says God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7). Jesus taught that it is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35), and to give quietly, not for show (Matthew 6:1-4). Giving starts with God, who gave his Son (John 3:16), and it reaches the poor and anyone in need.
God looks at the heart behind the gift, not the size of it.
Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about 2 Corinthians 9:7
But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about 2 Corinthians 9:6
For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.
For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about 2 Corinthians 8:12
Thou shalt surely give him, and thine heart shall not be grieved when thou givest unto him: because that for this thing the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all thy works, and in all that thou puttest thine hand unto.
Give generously to him, and do not let your heart be grieved when you do so. And because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything to which you put your hand.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Deuteronomy 15:10
Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is giving, let him give generously; if it is leading, let him lead with diligence; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Romans 12:8
Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.
On the first day of every week, each of you should set aside a portion of his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will be needed.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about 1 Corinthians 16:2
Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD thy God which he hath given thee.
Everyone must appear with a gift as he is able, according to the blessing the LORD your God has given you.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Deuteronomy 16:17
Give without looking for a return here; your reward is with the Father in heaven (Luke 6:35).
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.
In everything, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus Himself: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Acts 20:35
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 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 back to you.”
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Luke 6:38
24There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. 25The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.
One gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds what is right, only to become poor. A generous soul will prosper, and he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Proverbs 11:24-25
He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.
Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Proverbs 19:17
He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.
A generous man will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Proverbs 22:9
10Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) 11Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.
Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your store of seed and will increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will produce thanksgiving to God.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about 2 Corinthians 9:10-11
What we do for the least, Jesus counts as done for him.
Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.
Do not withhold good from the deserving when it is within your power to act.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Proverbs 3:27
But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
And do not neglect to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Hebrews 13:16
17But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? 18My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need, but withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him? Little children, let us love not in word and speech, but in action and truth.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about 1 John 3:17-18
He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.
John replied, “Whoever has two tunics should share with him who has none, and whoever has food should do the same.”
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Luke 3:11
And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
And the King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.’
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Matthew 25:40
He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.
Whoever gives to the poor will not be in need, but he who hides his eyes will receive many curses.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Proverbs 28:27
Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.
Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what is yours, do not demand it back.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Luke 6:30
For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land.
For there will never cease to be poor in the land; that is why I am commanding you to open wide your hand to your brother and to the poor and needy in your land.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Deuteronomy 15:11
Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
Share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Romans 12:13
44And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they shared with anyone who was in need.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Acts 2:44-45
32And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. 33And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. 34Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, 35And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.
The multitude of believers was one in heart and soul. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they owned. With great power the apostles continued to give their testimony about the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And abundant grace was upon them all. There were no needy ones among them, because those who owned lands or houses would sell their property, bring the proceeds from the sales, and lay them at the apostles’ feet for distribution to anyone as he had need.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Acts 4:32-35
Jesus taught giving that only the Father sees.
1Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. 2Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 3But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: 4That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.
“Be careful not to perform your righteous acts before men 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 sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward. 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. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Matthew 6:1-4
41And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. 42And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. 43And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: 44For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.
As Jesus was sitting opposite the treasury, He watched the crowd putting money into it. And many rich people put in large amounts. Then one poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amounted to a small fraction of a denarius. Jesus called His disciples to Him and said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more than all the others into the treasury. For they all contributed out of their surplus, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on.”
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Mark 12:41-44
19Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Matthew 6:19-21
33Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. 34For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide yourselves with purses that will not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Luke 12:33-34
We give because God first gave to us.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about John 3:16
Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.
Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about Matthew 10:8
For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about 2 Corinthians 8:9
Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.
Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about 2 Corinthians 9:15
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, with whom there is no change or shifting shadow.
Also in NKJV · ESV What the early church said about James 1:17
Exact words from our library of the early church writers. Each one opens at the place it was written.
“Christians do not announce to the crowd the good deeds they do; instead, they are careful that no one notices them. They hide their giving, just like someone who finds a treasure and hides it.”
“Do not enjoy God's created gifts by yourself; instead, give generously from them to those in need.”
“instead of the law requiring the giving of tithes, He instructed us to share all our possessions with the poor; and to love not only our neighbors, but even our enemies”
The words behind the English. Each word page has a Listen button for how it is said.
hilaros Greek · Strong’s G2431
cheerful, glad (the cheerful giver of 2 Corinthians 9:7)
Hear it & see its verseshaplotes Greek · Strong’s G572
generosity, singleness of heart
Hear it & see its versesdidomi Greek · Strong’s G1325
to give
Hear it & see its versesIt says to give freely and gladly, because God gave to us first. God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7), and Jesus said it is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35).
Listen: 2 Corinthians 9:7 · Acts 20:35
Giving to the poor is like lending to the Lord, and he will repay it (Proverbs 19:17). John asks how God's love can live in someone who sees a brother in need and shuts his heart (1 John 3:17-18). Jesus counts what we do for the least as done for him (Matthew 25:40).
Listen: Proverbs 19:17 · 1 John 3:17-18 · Matthew 25:40
Under the Law of Moses, Israel brought a tenth into the storehouse (Malachi 3:10). The New Testament sets no fixed number: each one gives as he decides in his heart, not grudgingly (2 Corinthians 9:7). The early Christians taught that Christ calls us past the tithe. Irenaeus wrote that "instead of the law requiring the giving of tithes, He instructed us to share all our possessions with the poor."
Listen: Malachi 3:10 · 2 Corinthians 9:7 · 1 Corinthians 16:2
God cares about the heart behind a gift. A gift given gladly, as you decided, pleases him more than one squeezed out by pressure (2 Corinthians 9:7). Even a small gift counts when it is given willingly (2 Corinthians 8:12; Mark 12:41-44).
Listen: 2 Corinthians 9:7 · 2 Corinthians 8:12 · Mark 12:41-44
Jesus said to give without showing off, so that only the Father sees, and he will reward it (Matthew 6:1-4). He said a poor widow's two small coins were more than all the rich gave (Mark 12:41-44), and told his followers that what they freely received they should freely give (Matthew 10:8).
Listen: Matthew 6:1-4 · Mark 12:41-44 · Matthew 10:8
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