What does the Bible say about money? Giving is a spiritual discipline that matters deeply.
When it comes to money and giving, the Bible has a lot to say. If you read the Bible, you'll quickly see that generosity is one of the most common themes. The Bible calls us to give generously for our time and money.
One of the best examples of this is the story of the widow who gave her all. Even when she had nothing left, she gave what she had to help others. This shows us that God values generosity more than anything else.
The Bible also talks about giving as an act of worship. When we give back to God, we show appreciation for all He has done for us. We can also think of it as a way to invest in our relationship with Him.
TRUSTING GOD WITH MONEY EQUALS GENEROSITY
In addition, the Bible tells us that it's important to be generous with our money even when we don't have a lot. This is because it's always possible for God to provide more than we ever could have imagined. When we trust Him with our finances, He will always come through for us.
Money is one of the most common sources of contention and conflict in relationships. Money can be a great source of happiness, but it can also be a great source of stress.
So why does the Bible have so much to say about money? Because money matters. And because how we handle our money matters spiritually.
GIVING AS A SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE
Churches have the opportunity to teach their congregations about money and giving as a spiritual discipline. Because when it comes to our finances, we need wisdom from God. We need to learn how to handle our money in a way that pleases Him.
The Bible tells us that we should give generously and cheerfully (2 Corinthians 9:7). It tells us that we should not be anxious about our finances (Philippians 4:6-7). It tells us that we should store up treasures in heaven, not on earth (Matthew 6:19-20).
When you give generously, you put God first in your life. You show that you trust Him to provide for you, and you’re willing to share what you have with others. Giving also helps us develop compassion and humility – both of which are important character traits.
Plus, when we give to others, we can actually change lives. We can help those who are in need, and we can make a difference in the world.
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3 Ways Giving Is A Spiritual Discipline
We often think of spiritual disciplines as being things like prayer, Bible reading, and fasting. And while those are certainly important disciplines, they are not the only ones. Another spiritual discipline that is often overlooked is giving. Here are three reasons why giving is a spiritual discipline.
First, giving is an act of worship.
When we give to God, we are acknowledging that everything we have belongs to him and that we are stewards of his resources. Giving is a way of putting God first in our lives and acknowledging him as the source of all we have.
Second, giving is an act of obedience.
In the Bible, we are told to give generously and cheerfully (2 Corinthians 9:7). Obedience is not always easy, but when we give obediently, it pleases God and brings blessing to our lives.
Third, giving is an act of faith.
When we give, we are trusting God to provide for us and meet our needs. We are also trusting him to use our gifts for his purposes. Our faith grows stronger and stronger as we continue to give even when it’s hard.
These are just a few reasons why giving is a spiritual discipline. When we make giving a priority in our lives, it pleases God and brings blessing to us as well. Let’s make a commitment to be more generous givers!
So if you’re looking for ways to grow the faith of the people in your church community, consider framing giving and generosity as part of spiritual disciplines, not just obligatory behavior.
Don’t forget, giving and generosity are incredibly common themes in the Bible. Being good stewards of our money is a spiritual discipline, not just obligatory behavior. Click To TweetWhen it comes to money, the Bible has a lot to say. And all of it is good news. When we learn how to handle our money in a way that pleases God, we can experience His blessings in our lives.
21 Bible Verses About Money, Giving, and Generosity
1. Malachi 3:10
“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 you will not have room enough for it.”
2. Luke 6:38
“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 to you.”
3. 2 Corinthians 9:6-7
“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will 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.”
4. Deuteronomy 16:17
“Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord your God which he has given you.”
5. Proverbs 3:9-10
“Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the first fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will overflow with new wine.”
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6. 1 Chronicles 29:14
“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.”
7. Acts 20:35
“In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'”
8. 2 Corinthians 8:12
“For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has—not to what he does not have.”
9. Proverbs 11:24
“One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but suffers want.”
10. James 1:17
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”
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11. Luke 6:38
“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 to you.”
12. 1 Corinthians 16:2
“On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside some money in keeping with your income.”
13. 2 Corinthians 9:11-12
“You will be made rich 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 God’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanksgiving to God.”
14. 2 Corinthians 8:3
“For if I eagerly ask for money from anyone I sin because I am compelled by greed. But if I beg for food or other necessities from someone I do not sin because I am needy.”
15. Galatians 6:7-8
“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.”
16. Ephesians 4:28
“He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.”
17. Ephesians 5:1-2
“Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”
18. Philippians 4:17-19
“Not that I seek riches; I want only enough to meet basic needs. But I am content with what I have now because Christ himself has been my wealth and contentment since I came to know him personally. Yes, and I shall continue to be well supplied, whether I have much or little–for I freely release all my anxiety unto Him who cares for me. So my dear friend, guard against all emotionalism and sensualism in your spiritual life.”
19. Colossians 3:17-18a
“And whatever you do or say in word or deed, do everything in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ—giving thanks through Him to God our Father.”
20. 1 Timothy 6:17-19a
“Command those who are rich in this world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth that is uncertain, but rather to put their hope in God… Command them to do good…”
21. Hebrews 7:8-9
“Here mortal men receive tithes; but there Levi who receives tithes paid them by Abraham… He was still living when Melchizedek met him.”
THE BIBLE REMINDS US THAT OUR MONEY IS GOD’S FIRST
If you’re looking for a way to jumpstart your church's giving practices, or simply want to better understand what the Bible has to say about money and generosity, I hope this article was helpful. I encourage you to take some time to focus on some of the verses I've shared above giving and generosity from the Bible.
As you read them, ask God to help you apply these truths in your own life. When it comes to our finances, may we all be found faithful in honoring Him with what He has entrusted us, especially as leaders and as members of the same community we are ministering to locally.
