Bible Study About Giving: Growing in Generosity

“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” We’ve heard that maxim often, and it comes straight from Jesus (Acts 20:35).

Yet giving isn’t always easy. If we’re honest, we sometimes worry: Will I have enough left for me? Does my small contribution even matter? I’ve felt that struggle in my own heart.

But as a believer who trusts God’s Word, I’ve also discovered the joy and freedom that come with a lifestyle of generosity. The Bible has a lot to say about “giving.” And it’s not just about money.

In Scripture, giving takes many forms: offering our finances, our time, our love, our hospitality, our mercy, and more.

In this bible study, we’ll explore what the Bible teaches about giving. We’ll look at examples from both Old and New Testaments, see how themes in the Old foreshadow truths fulfilled in Christ, and dig into the heart attitudes that make giving meaningful.

My hope is that we’ll all be encouraged to grow in generosity, in practical and joyful ways.

What Does the Bible Teach About Giving?

At its heart, biblical giving goes far beyond a mere financial transaction – it’s a reflection of God’s own generous character.

The Bible highly esteems generosity as a virtue characterized by a selfless willingness to share one’s resources, time, and love with others, echoing the nature of God, the ultimate giver​.

• “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above” (James 1:17, KJV), and when we give, we are imitating our Heavenly Father.
• In fact, “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son” (John 3:16). Love leads to giving.

Thus, all Christian giving is rooted in love, compassion, and thankfulness toward God and others – never mere obligation​.

• The Bible teaches that everything we have ultimately belongs to God (Psalm 24:1), so our giving is really just returning a portion of God’s blessings and being faithful stewards.

Importantly, giving is not limited to money.

We can give encouragement or comfort, offer hospitality and a meal, spend time listening to someone who’s hurting, or use our skills to help those in need. In all these ways, we “give” of ourselves. Giving in Scripture is an act of worship and obedience, but also an act of joy.

• As 2 Corinthians 9:7 (KJV) says, “God loveth a cheerful giver.” When done with the right heart, giving is life-giving for the giver as well as the receiver.
• Jesus promised that “give, and it shall be given unto you” (Luke 6:38, KJV) – not that we give to get, but it’s God’s gracious design that generosity brings blessing back upon us in various ways.

In summary, the Bible presents giving as a core part of living out our faith: it is an outward expression of inward love and faith, and a practical way we partner with God to bless others.

Different Forms of Giving in the Bible

Throughout Scripture, “giving” takes on many forms. Here are some of the primary ways the Bible speaks about giving and generosity:

Tithes and Offerings (Financial Giving):

In the Old Testament, God’s people were instructed to give tithes – typically a tenth of their produce or income – and various offerings to support the work of God’s house and help the needy.

• For example, the Israelites brought their tithes of grain, fruit, and livestock to the storehouse (Malachi 3:10) and contributed offerings for the temple and priesthood.
• Tithing in the Law was a way to honor God as the provider of all blessings. It also provided for the priests (Levites) and those in need – every third year, a special “poor tithe” helped feed the orphans, widows, and foreigners (Deuteronomy 14:28-29).

Tithes symbolized trust and gratitude, recognizing that everything comes from God.

In the New Testament, financial giving continues, though not as a legal requirement of 10%, but as voluntary generosity.

• Believers would donate to support the church’s ministry and aid the poor (1 Corinthians 16:1-2, 2 Corinthians 9:12-13).

Whether it’s called a tithe, an offering, or a donation, the principle is the same: we honor God by giving back part of our increase to His work and to those in need, with thankful hearts.

Giving of Time and Service:

Money isn’t the only resource we can offer – our time and talents are just as valuable. The Bible is full of people giving their time in service to God or others.

In the New Testament, Dorcas (also named Tabitha) is a beautiful example: “this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did” (Acts 9:36, KJV). She spent her days sewing clothes for the poor and caring for widows.

Even after she died, the Apostle Peter raised her back to life – and the mourning widows showed Peter the coats and garments Dorcas had made for them. Dorcas “gave” by devoting her time and skills to help others.

• Likewise, in the early church, many believers volunteered their time to serve meals to the widows (Acts 6:1-4) and to travel spreading the gospel.

Every act of service is a form of giving. Whether it’s volunteering at church, helping a neighbor fix their house, or just being present with someone hurting, giving our time is a sacrifice pleasing to God. Sometimes time is the most generous gift in our busy world.

Hospitality (Welcoming Others):

The Bible often highlights hospitality – opening our homes and lives to bless others – as a key form of giving. This includes sharing food, shelter, and friendship.

In the Old Testament, Abraham set a high bar for hospitality. In Genesis 18, he eagerly welcomed three unknown travelers, fed them a lavish meal, and treated them with honor. (Unbeknownst to him at first, his guests were actually the Lord and two angels!)

Abraham’s open-handed welcome illustrates giving through hospitality. He “ran to meet” the guests, “bowed himself toward the ground,” and prepared the best meal he could (Genesis 18:2-8, KJV).

His generosity toward strangers resulted in a great blessing: the Lord reaffirmed His promise that Abraham’s wife Sarah would have a son. In the New Testament, hospitality is explicitly urged for Christians.

“Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality” (Romans 12:13, KJV) and “Use hospitality one to another without grudging” (1 Peter 4:9, KJV), we’re told.

By welcoming others – whether hosting visiting missionaries, inviting church friends or even newcomers for a meal, or providing a room to someone in need – we give love and care in a tangible way.

In fact, Hebrews 13:2 hints that when we show hospitality, we might even entertain angels without knowing – just like Abraham did.

Acts of Mercy and Compassion:

The Bible frequently speaks of giving to the poor and showing mercy as an essential part of righteous living. This includes almsgiving – donating money, food, or goods to those in need – as well as simply sharing the burdens of the hurting.

• Jesus taught that caring for “the least of these” (the hungry, the sick, the imprisoned) is akin to doing it for Him (Matthew 25:35-40). Thus, giving to the needy is a way of giving to Christ.
• One vivid Old Testament example is the widow of Zarephath (1 Kings 17). Despite her own extreme poverty during a famine, she gave her last bit of flour and oil to bake bread for the prophet Elijah – and God miraculously refilled her jar so that she, her son, and Elijah had food throughout the famine. Her mercy and generosity to a stranger in God’s name led to God’s provision.
• In the New Testament, we meet Barnabas, who sold a field he owned and “brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet” (Acts 4:37) to distribute to the poor in the church.
• Cornelius, a Roman centurion, was said to be “a devout man” who “gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway” (Acts 10:2, KJV); God honored him by sending Peter to share the gospel with his household.

Merciful giving can also mean forgiving others and giving second chances. When we give mercy by forgiving someone’s debt or offense, we reflect God’s mercy toward us.

In short, any compassionate action to relieve someone’s suffering – feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the lonely, forgiving the guilty – is a form of generous giving that delights God’s heart (Isaiah 58:6-7).

Love and Encouragement:

The greatest gift we can give is love. The apostle John wrote, “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?” (1 John 3:17, KJV).

True love will move us to give to our brothers and sisters in need. But beyond material help, we also give love through encouragement, counsel, comfort, and presence.

• Think of Jonathan, who selflessly supported and defended his friend David at great personal cost – he was giving love and loyalty.
• Or Barnabas again, who took the young Saul/Paul under his wing when others were afraid of him (Acts 9:26-27).
• A kind word, a listening ear, a shared prayer – these are gifts too! The Bible urges us to “bear ye one another’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2), essentially giving our emotional energy and support to help others get through trials.
• Even “giving thanks” or giving praise to God (Hebrews 13:15) can be seen as forms of giving – we offer up gratitude and honor to the Lord.

Overall, whenever we give of ourselves – whether money, time, hospitality, mercy, or love – we are living out the generosity God calls us to.

Old Testament Foundations of Giving

The Old Testament lays a strong foundation for understanding giving. Under the Law of Moses, giving was formalized through commandments like tithes, firstfruits, and freewill offerings. These practices taught God’s people Israel to honor God with the first and best of all He gave them.

• For instance, they were to present the firstfruits of their harvest and flocks at the temple (Exodus 23:19, Proverbs 3:9). This was a way of saying, “God, you are first in my life, and I trust You to provide the rest of the harvest.”
• They also gave tithes (10%) of their increase. The tithe supported the ministry of the Levites who had no land of their own (Numbers 18:21) and provided a resource to help the poor.
• In fact, Deuteronomy 14:28-29 explains that every third year the annual tithe would be stored up in the towns so that “the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow” could come and eat and be satisfied.

God built a social safety net into Israel’s law – giving was how the community took care of its vulnerable members.

There were also numerous offerings: some were required (like sin offerings and burnt offerings, which were about atonement and worship), others were voluntary expressions of thanksgiving or devotion (like freewill offerings, vows, and charity).

An example of eager giving appears in Exodus 35, when Moses invited the people to donate materials for building the Tabernacle.

Men and women joyfully brought their gold jewelry, fine linens, precious stones, and acacia wood – so much so that Moses had to tell them to stop because they gave more than enough (Exodus 36:5-7). That’s a beautiful picture of generous hearts!

Beyond commanded giving, the Old Testament often commends individual acts of generosity and hospitality. We already mentioned Abraham’s hospitality.

Another story is Boaz in the book of Ruth – he went above and beyond the law’s requirement when he allowed the impoverished Ruth to glean plenty of grain from his fields and even instructed his workers to leave extra stalks for her (Ruth 2:15-16).

Boaz’s kindness in giving food and protection to Ruth (a foreign widow) not only met her needs but ultimately led to Ruth becoming his wife and part of the lineage of King David (and thus Jesus!). Generosity can have ripple effects of blessing.

The Old Testament also links giving with blessing. Proverbs is filled with wisdom about generosity:

“He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor” (Prov. 22:9, KJV) and “The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself” (Prov. 11:25, KJV).

In other words, the one who generously blesses others will be enriched. This wasn’t a prosperity gimmick; it was understood as a spiritual principle of sowing and reaping that God built into the world.

Another key passage is Malachi 3:10, where God invites Israel to “bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse” and “prove me now… if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing”.

God essentially says, “Trust me in your giving, and see how I will take care of you.” Many believers today can testify that when they started faithfully giving, God provided for them in unexpected ways.

Finally, we should note that the Old Testament contains “types and shadows” of giving that point forward to Christ.

• Every animal sacrifice offered on the altar was a gift to God (the Hebrew word korban even means “something brought near/given”).
• These sacrifices foreshadowed the ultimate gift God would give us – Jesus, “the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).
• Also, the concept of the firstborn belonging to God (Exodus 13:2) and the tithe as the first part of the harvest can be seen as a shadow of Jesus being the “firstfruits” (1 Corinthians 15:20) and the firstborn Son given for our redemption.
• In the Old Testament, God provided a ram in place of Isaac – a gift of grace sparing Abraham’s son (Genesis 22:13) – a vivid preview of God not sparing His own Son but giving Him up for us all (Romans 8:32).

Thus, the OT not only commanded giving; it set the stage for the greatest gift and the greatest act of generosity in history.

New Testament Teachings on Giving

With the coming of Jesus and the era of the church, we see a shift from the required offerings of the Law to the voluntary, love-driven generosity of the Gospel. Jesus fulfilled the sacrificial system once for all, and in doing so, He also transformed how we approach giving.

Rather than being under a legal quota, Christians are called to give freely out of grace. The New Testament emphasizes principles like generosity, equality, and willingness.

Jesus spoke about money and giving quite often. He warned against hoarding wealth and neglecting God. “Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven,” He said, “for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:20-21, KJV).

One way to lay up treasure in heaven is by giving to the poor, essentially transferring assets to God’s kingdom.

• Jesus even told a rich young ruler that if he would give his wealth to the poor, he would “have treasure in heaven” (Mark 10:21).
• Jesus also commanded a spirit of open-handedness: “Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away” (Matthew 5:42, KJV). He wanted His followers to be marked by a willingness to share and help others, trusting the Father to supply their needs.
• In Luke 6:35, Jesus says, “lend, hoping for nothing again” – give without expecting repayment – “and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest.” Our generosity reflects that we are children of a generous God.
• Perhaps Jesus’ most famous teaching on giving is the story of the widow’s mite. As described in Mark 12:41-44, many rich people put large sums into the Temple treasury, but Jesus noticed a poor widow who dropped in two tiny coins (mites).
• In KJV language, Jesus told His disciples, “This poor widow hath cast more in, than all they… For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.” (Mark 12:43-44).

What a revolutionary perspective! God measures the gift not by its size, but by the heart and sacrifice behind it. The widow’s few pennies were “more” in God’s eyes than the bags of gold given by the wealthy, because she gave everything, trusting God completely.

This teaches us that even if we feel our contribution is small, if it is given with love and surrender, it delights God. It’s also a gentle challenge: do we give God our leftovers, or do we give in a way that truly costs us something?

The early church lived out Jesus’ teachings in radical ways. In the Book of Acts, right after Pentecost, the believers in Jerusalem voluntarily shared their possessions.

• “And all that believed were together, and had all things common; and sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need” (Acts 2:44-45, KJV).
• Similarly, “neither was there any among them that lacked… as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them” and the proceeds were distributed to each as they had need (Acts 4:34-35).

This wasn’t forced communism; it was an outbreak of Spirit-filled generosity and care, as believers saw each other as family. It was so notable that it became a powerful testimony to the love of Christ in that community​.

While not every church in the New Testament practiced the exact same sharing of all goods, the spirit of generosity pervaded. Churches in one city would take up collections to send relief to believers suffering in another (Acts 11:28-30).

The Apostle Paul gives extensive instruction on giving in his letters. In 2 Corinthians chapters 8 and 9, he encourages the Corinthian church to follow through on their promise to send an offering to the poor saints in Jerusalem.

• Paul holds up the example of the Macedonian churches, who, “in a great trial of affliction, the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality” (2 Cor. 8:2, KJV).

In other words, those believers were dirt poor and going through hard times, yet they begged for the privilege of giving and ended up donating beyond their ability! They gave sacrificially. How?

• Paul says, “they first gave their own selves to the Lord” (2 Cor. 8:5).

That is the key – when we surrender ourselves to God, generous giving flows naturally.

• Paul reminds the Corinthians of the supreme example: “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” (2 Cor. 8:9, KJV).

Jesus gave up the riches of heaven to make us rich in salvation; that gospel truth should inspire our giving.

Paul also lays down principles: give willingly (not under pressure), give cheerfully, and give as you are able.

• “If there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what a man hath, and not according to that he hath not” (2 Cor. 8:12).

In plain terms, God isn’t asking you to give what you don’t have, only to be generous with what you do have. It’s the willingness that matters.

• And 2 Corinthians 9:7, as mentioned, says not to give “grudgingly, or of necessity” (meaning under compulsion), “for God loveth a cheerful giver.” We should give with “singleness of heart” (Romans 12:8, KJV) – meaning with sincerity and simplicity.

There’s no room for showiness or manipulation. Another principle: regular, planned giving.

• In 1 Corinthians 16:2 Paul instructs, “Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him,” so that funds would be ready for a collection when he came.

This suggests that as God prospers us, we set aside a portion consistently for His work. Many Christians today follow this by budgeting a percentage of their income for giving (whether 10% as a tithe or some other amount by conviction).

Finally, the New Testament teaches that giving is a grace and a gift. Romans 12:6-8 lists spiritual gifts, and one of them is giving: “he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity.”

Some people are specially enabled to make money or share resources generously – that is a spiritual gifting to be used for God’s glory. But all of us are called to exercise the grace of giving to some degree.

In 2 Corinthians 8:7, Paul tells the church, “as ye abound in everything, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge… see that ye abound in this grace also” – the grace of generosity.

We can ask God to help us grow in the gift of giving, just as we grow in faith or knowledge.

And we rely on God as the source: “He that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown” (2 Cor. 9:10).

In other words, God will supply and multiply the resources you need for giving. One Christian author put it this way: “God prospers me not to raise my standard of living, but to raise my standard of giving.”

I love that perspective – when God blesses us with more, it’s so we can give more, not just spend more on ourselves.

The Blessings and Rewards of Generosity

One wonderful aspect of God’s design is that giving blesses the giver. While our primary motive in giving should be love, not reward, the Bible does attach many positive promises to generosity.

It’s as if God is cheering us on to be generous by assuring us that we won’t lose out – in fact, we’ll come out ahead in the things that truly matter.

As Proverbs 11:24 (KJV) observes, “There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.”

It seems counterintuitive: giving away can lead to increase, while holding on too tightly can lead to loss. Yet time and again, Scripture affirms this “upside-down” principle.

Jesus stated it plainly: “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over” (Luke 6:38, KJV).

He meant that God will ensure that in the end, you are abundantly provided for. That provision might be material or it might be spiritual (peace, joy, strong relationships, etc.), but you cannot out-give God.

In Malachi 3:10 (mentioned earlier), God promised to “pour out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it” when His people trusted Him with their tithes.

Many Christians can attest that when they started putting God first in finances, they experienced unexpected financial provision or saw their needs miraculously met.

It’s not a get-rich scheme – in fact, the greatest blessings of giving are often intangible: the joy of helping others, a heart freed from greed, deeper trust in God’s care, and “treasure in heaven.”

• Indeed, the Bible says “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).

There is a joy and fulfillment in giving that receiving simply doesn’t match. Generosity leads to joy – ask anyone who has spent time serving the less fortunate or who regularly gives to support causes they care about. There’s a deep satisfaction in knowing God used you to answer someone’s prayer.

• 2 Corinthians 9:12-14 notes that when we give, not only are needs met, but many thanksgivings go up to God, and hearts are drawn together in love. In other words, our giving causes ripple effects of praise and unity in the body of Christ. That’s a huge reward in itself!

• Proverbs 11:25 says “he that watereth shall be watered also himself.”

When you refresh others, God will refresh you. This could mean that generosity has a way of coming back around (others will help you when you’re in need), but also that God personally ministers to generous people.

• Isaiah 58:10-11 beautifully describes that if you “draw out thy soul to the hungry”, God will satisfy your soul in drought and strengthen you.

The generous person, it says, will be like a “watered garden.” Who wouldn’t want to be a constantly watered garden by God’s hand?

Furthermore, giving stores up eternal treasure. Jesus’ frequent encouragement to have “treasure in heaven” indicates that every act of charity done in His name carries eternal value. We might not see a return on investment here on earth, but we certainly will in eternity.

• Paul told Timothy to instruct the rich to be “rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate (share); laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come” (1 Timothy 6:18-19, KJV).

By giving, we secure a foundation for the future – meaning eternal rewards and a legacy of goodness.

Lastly, one of the blessings of giving is that it breaks the power of materialism in our lives. By regularly giving away a portion of our money or time, we train ourselves to trust God and not idolize our resources.

It keeps our hearts aligned with God’s priorities. The grip of greed loosens, and contentment grows. This is a more subtle “reward,” but a priceless one: a content and free heart.

In summary, God promises to take care of givers. You sow bountifully, you reap bountifully (2 Cor. 9:6). He will “enrich you in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion” (2 Cor. 9:11).

And beyond the material, He fills our hearts with joy and stores up eternal rewards for us. Generosity truly benefits us as well as others​. It’s a win-win in God’s economy.

The Heart of the Giver: Attitude Matters

While God loves our generous deeds, He cares even more about our motives and attitude in giving. The Bible repeatedly warns that giving with a wrong heart – for show, out of pride, or begrudgingly – spoils the gift in God’s sight.

• Jesus taught this clearly: “Take heed that ye do not your alms (charitable giving) before men, to be seen of them” (Matthew 6:1, KJV).

He said if we give in order to get human praise, that pat on the back will be our only reward – we shouldn’t expect any reward from our Father in heaven. When you drop a check in the offering or help someone out, it should be done for God’s eyes and His glory, not to boost your reputation.

• Jesus even advised, “when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth” (Matt. 6:3). That means we give in a humble, low-key way, not drawing attention to ourselves.

Another wrong motive could be giving to get something back (aside from God’s promises). If we give just hoping to get richer or to put someone in our debt, that’s not love – that’s manipulation or self-interest.

• We should be generous “hoping for nothing again,” as Jesus said (Luke 6:35).

Our motive is to bless others and honor God, period. This is where some “prosperity gospel” teachings go astray, by making it seem like we give in order to force God to multiply our money tenfold. While God does bless generosity, we can’t treat giving like a transaction or investment scheme. It’s about grace, not leverage.

We’re also cautioned against giving out of mere duty without the heart. 1 Corinthians 13:3 makes a striking statement:

“And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor… and have not charity (love), it profiteth me nothing.”

Wow – even if I gave away everything to the poor, if I didn’t have true love, it gains me nothing in God’s eyes. This shows that God values the love behind the gift more than the gift itself.

If I donate a large sum but do it grudgingly or to tick a box, I miss the spiritual benefit. If I serve at a soup kitchen but secretly despise the people I’m serving, it doesn’t please God. We should pray for genuine compassion to accompany our actions.

The story of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5 is a sober warning about motives. This couple sold a piece of property and brought money to give to the church, but they lied about the amount, pretending they were giving the full sale price while holding back part for themselves.

Their sin wasn’t that they kept some money – Peter made it clear the money was theirs to do with as they wished. The sin was deception and hypocrisy: they wanted the reputation of extreme generosity without the sacrifice. God judged them swiftly; both Ananias and Sapphira fell down dead after Peter confronted their lie.

That may seem extreme, but it underscores how seriously God takes the purity of our hearts in His community.

Giving is holy in God’s sight, so honesty and integrity are essential. We shouldn’t try to appear more generous or “spiritual” than we are. It’s okay to admit if we’re struggling to give; God can work with an honest heart, but He opposes the proud (James 4:6).

On the positive side, the right attitude in giving is highlighted all through the New Testament. We’ve mentioned joy and willingness. Cheerfulness is a big one – God delights in a cheerful giver. Think about times you’ve given a surprise gift to someone you love; wasn’t that fun?

That’s the kind of cheerful mindset God wants us to have – “It’s my privilege to share; I’m happy to do it!” Another aspect is sincerity or singleness of heart (Romans 12:8).

Give out of sincere care, not with ulterior motives. Also, humility – viewing it as an honor to give, not acting like a big savior. King David demonstrated this heart when he donated huge amounts of treasure for building the temple.

He prayed, “But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of Thee, and of Thine own have we given Thee” (1 Chronicles 29:14, KJV).

David’s attitude was, “Lord, it’s all Yours anyway, and I’m amazed I get to contribute to Your house.” Such humility acknowledges God as the true provider.

Finally, faith is an important attitude in giving. It takes trust to give away something you could have used for yourself. You have to believe God’s promises that He will provide for you.

When the widow of Zarephath used her last bit of flour to feed Elijah, she was exercising great faith – and God rewarded her faith by keeping her flour jar miraculously replenished (1 Kings 17:15-16).

Whenever we give sacrificially, we are saying, “Lord, I trust You to take care of me. I put the needs of Your kingdom or this other person ahead of my own comfort.” That is very pleasing to God.

In summary, God cares about the giver as much as the gift​. He wants us to give freely, joyfully, lovingly, and honestly. If our heart isn’t right, the solution isn’t to quit giving, but to ask God to change our heart – to help us develop a genuine desire to give.

As we grow in Christ, He does soften our hearts and enlarge our love. Over time, we find ourselves wanting to give more, not because anyone is forcing us, but because God’s love compels us.

From Shadow to Substance: Christ, the Fulfillment of Giving

One of the most beautiful themes in the Bible is how Old Testament patterns find their fulfillment in Jesus Christ and His church. This is true of the concept of giving as well.

Earlier we touched on how the sacrifices and firstfruits of the Old Covenant foreshadowed Christ. Let’s explore that a bit more, because it adds rich meaning to our understanding of generosity.

In the Old Testament, people gave the first and best of their flocks and crops to God. These gifts were dedicated to God, often by being completely burned on the altar, symbolizing complete surrender.

Yet Hebrews 10:4 tells us that the blood of bulls and goats could never fully take away sins – those sacrifices pointed forward to something greater.

That greater sacrifice was Jesus offering up Himself. At the cross, Christ gave everything – He poured out His life, “an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savour” (Ephesians 5:2, KJV).

He is both the Priest and the Lamb, “once for all” giving Himself to atone for our sins (Hebrews 7:27).

This is the ultimate act of giving in all of history: God giving His Son, and the Son giving His life for us. Every time we give to God or others, we are in a small way reflecting that greatest Gift.

Another connection: the Old Testament tithe can be seen as a foreshadow of Christ as well. How so? Romans 11:16 says, “if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy.”

The idea is that offering the first part sanctifies the rest. Jesus, in His resurrection, is called “the firstfruits of them that slept” (1 Cor. 15:20). He is the firstborn from the dead, and His rising guarantees the future harvest (our resurrection).

In a sense, Jesus is God’s tithe – the first and best offered to redeem the rest of us! When we realize that, it transforms how we view giving our first and best to God. We’re responding to God’s gift. As 1 John 4:19 puts it, “We love Him, because He first loved us.” We give because He first gave to us.

Furthermore, many Old Testament stories of generous or sacrificial acts find a parallel or fulfillment in Christ. Think of Abraham offering Isaac: Abraham was willing to give up his only son out of obedience to God (Genesis 22).

In the end, God provided a ram so Isaac was spared – but that scene prophetically illustrated what God Himself would do at Calvary, not sparing His own Son.

The radical generosity of the Father and Son at the cross is the substance that all these earlier shadows were pointing to.

In the New Testament, Paul uses this gospel truth to motivate giving: “He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:32, KJV).

This means we can trust God to supply our needs (He already gave the greatest thing!), and it inspires us to be generous in return.

The early church also became a kind of fulfillment of Old Testament pictures. The Temple in the OT was supported by tithes and offerings; now the Church (the body of believers) is God’s temple. Our giving supports the “living temple” – the people of God and the mission of the gospel.

The communion of saints sharing resources in Acts was a foretaste of the ideal community God always wanted. In a way, the Jubilee laws (Leviticus 25), where debts were canceled and slaves freed every 50 years, find echo in the church as we forgive debts, help one another, and proclaim spiritual liberty in Christ.

Another thought: Under the Law, only certain people (priests) could receive tithes and offerings. But now, when we give to anyone in need, we are giving to Jesus Himself (Matthew 25:40).

The focus has shifted from a physical altar to the spiritual act of love. Christ in us and in our neighbor is the new “storehouse.” This elevates every act of giving to a holy act. Changing a diaper or cooking a meal for your family can be done unto the Lord, a fragrant offering of service.

In essence, Jesus Christ embodies perfect generosity and fulfills every pattern of giving. He gave grace to the undeserving (us), mercy to those in misery, provision to those in want, and life to the dead. As recipients of His grace, we’re now empowered to give grace to others.

The Bible says we have received different gifts from God – and we should use them to serve one another as good stewards of God’s manifold grace (1 Peter 4:10). So if God has given you material goods, that’s His grace in your life – you can “minister” that grace to others by giving.

If He’s given you a talent or a spiritual gift, you likewise give it away by serving. The church is meant to be a living showcase of Christ’s generous life, with each member contributing their part. This is a fulfillment of the old system in a new, dynamic way.

Finally, because Christ fulfilled the ceremonial laws, we are free from the old regulations and free to give even more. For example, the tithe is no longer a limiting rule – many Christians choose to give well beyond 10% as God enables, joyfully excelling in giving rather than aiming for a minimum.

We’re not under a “taxation” system with God; we’re in a family relationship. In a family, members give and share out of love. That’s the atmosphere Christ created in His people.

In summary, the Old Testament gave us the concept of giving to God, but Christ gave us the ultimate gift and pattern. Now, in His Spirit, we give ourselves and our resources freely back to God and others. The shadow has become substance – and the substance is loving generosity.

Conclusion: Living Out a Lifestyle of Giving

As we conclude this study on “giving” in the Bible, I want to encourage us (myself included) to put these truths into practice. It’s easy to read about generosity and nod in agreement, but the real blessing comes when we do it.

And we can start right now, right where we are, with whatever we have. Remember, biblical giving isn’t about the dollar amount or hitting a quota – it’s about the heart. It’s about being available and open-handed for God to use us.

Maybe you feel like the poor widow with only two mites – what can I possibly give that makes a difference? Jesus would say: give whatever you can, from a loving heart, and it matters. God can multiply even the smallest gift.

The young boy in John 6 only had five loaves and two fish to offer, but in Jesus’ hands it fed thousands! Never underestimate what God can do with your offering, however modest.

It could be an hour of your time, a kind word to a stranger, or a few dollars to someone struggling – God sees the value of it and can use it far beyond your expectations.

On the other hand, maybe God has blessed you with abundance. You have resources or talents that could greatly help others. Take to heart Paul’s charge: “Charge them that are rich in this world… that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute” (1 Tim. 6:17-18).

In other words, consider yourself a steward of those blessings. Ask God, “How would You have me use what You’ve given me?” One practical step is to plan your giving – decide on a percentage of income to give away, or set aside a “generosity fund” to be able to respond when needs arise. Also, look around your community and church for needs.

Perhaps there’s a single parent who could use help with groceries, an elderly neighbor who needs a ride or home repairs, or a missionary you can support. Pray for eyes to see opportunities to give, and God will surely show them.

Let’s also remember that giving isn’t just a one-time act – it’s a way of life. It flows from a heart touched by God’s grace. If you find yourself reluctant or bitter about giving, don’t beat yourself up – instead, bring that to God. I’ve had to pray, “Lord, help me want to give.

Change my heart to be more like Yours.” He will! Meditate on Jesus’ generosity toward you. Count your blessings. When we realize how much we’ve freely received (forgiveness, salvation, daily mercies), it becomes more natural to freely give. “Freely ye have received, freely give” (Matthew 10:8, KJV).

One thing I’ve learned is that generosity is contagious. When you start giving, it inspires those around you. In the early church, Barnabas’ act of selling his field likely spurred others to similar kindness.

In modern times, I’ve seen churches where generosity is part of the culture – people keep one another’s fridges full, volunteer for each other, pay bills for each other in crises – and that kind of environment breathes life and hope.

We can help create that culture in our circles by stepping out and giving first, leading by example. Even in our families: parents, when your kids see you giving cheerfully, it teaches them more than any lecture could.

Finally, let’s not forget to give ourselves to God daily. Romans 12:1 urges us to present our bodies as a living sacrifice. The Macedonians “first gave their own selves to the Lord” (2 Cor. 8:5), and that enabled them to give generously to others.

Surrendering our lives to God is the ultimate act of worship – saying “Lord, I’m Yours, use me however you want.” When we live in that posture, all other forms of giving will follow. Our time, talent, and treasure will naturally be at God’s disposal.

In conclusion, the Bible’s message on giving is both challenging and encouraging. It calls us to a high standard of selflessness – to love others as Christ loved us – but it also assures us that God’s grace will enable us. We don’t have to give grudgingly, fearfully, or by mere human effort.

The Holy Spirit is able to make us “happy, generous, hospitable givers”​ as we trust Him. Start where you are, and take a step. Maybe it’s helping one person this week, or finally setting up that monthly gift to charity, or volunteering in a ministry. Whatever it is, do it with love and unto the Lord. You can be sure that God will smile on your giving, and He will supply all your need according to His riches in glory (Philippians 4:19).

Let’s pray for one another that we grow in this grace. Imagine the impact if we all give like the Bible teaches – needs would be met, God would be glorified, and people would say, “Wow, see how they love each other!” May we each experience the truth that “the righteous giveth and spareth not” (Proverbs 21:26) and that in giving of ourselves, we are truly following in the footsteps of our generous Savior.

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Citations

1. Ministry Brands – “4 Types of Giving in the Bible.” Explains that biblical giving “surpasses mere money sacrifices and is profoundly anchored in love, compassion, and thankfulness”, reflecting God’s generous character​ministrybrands.com.
2. BibleHub Topical – “Generosity vs. Manipulation.” Emphasizes that “generosity is a virtue… reflecting the nature of God, the ultimate giver” and underscores the importance of the heart’s attitude in giving (voluntary and joyful)​biblehub.com​biblehub.com. Also highlights early church generosity and pure motives​biblehub.com​biblehub.com.
3. National Christian Foundation – “10 Examples of Generosity in the Bible” (Lauren Street, 2024). Gives real biblical examples like Dorcas, the Macedonian church, Abraham’s hospitality, etc., and notes “Giving is a grace from God. He empowers us to give, fills us with joy when we do, and then often replenishes our supplies, so we can give more”​ncfgiving.com.
4. Desiring God – “Lavish Giving, Loving Guests, Living Christ” (John Piper). Sermon on Romans 12:13 connecting God’s mercy to our generosity. Contains the quote by Randy Alcorn: “God prospers me not to raise my standard of living, but to raise my standard of giving.” and encourages believers to work in order to have something to share​desiringgod.org.
5. Scripture (King James Version). All Bible quotations are taken from the public domain KJV. Key passages referenced include Mark 12:41-44 (widow’s mite), 2 Corinthians 8–9 (principles of giving), Malachi 3:10, Acts 2:44-45, Acts 4:34-37, and numerous Proverbs and teachings of Jesus on giving (e.g., Luke 6:38, Matthew 6:1-4). These scriptures form the primary basis for the study’s content and themes.