The Holy Bible Verses

50 Bible Verses About Generosity

Explore Bible verses on generosity, including 2 Corinthians 9:7, and discover how giving cheerfully reflects God's love and blesses others.

By The Editorial Team

Verses sourced from the World English Bible (public domain). Selection follows our editorial policy. Last reviewed 2026-04-23. See all sources.

Generosity is emphasized throughout Scripture as a reflection of God's love and grace. In 2 Corinthians 9:7, believers are encouraged to give not reluctantly or under compulsion, but cheerfully, highlighting the importance of the heart's attitude in giving. Generosity is portrayed as a means to bless others and foster community.

“Let each man give according as he has determined in his heart; not grudgingly, or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver.”
— 2 Corinthians 9:7 WEB

Generosity often begins with small acts of kindness, like sharing a meal or offering a helping hand. The Bible speaks to this virtue, encouraging us to open our hearts and hands to others. In 2 Corinthians 9:7, it reminds us, “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.” This verse highlights the joy and willingness that should accompany our acts of giving.

In the Old Testament, we see examples of structured giving through tithes and offerings. Numbers 18:21 sets a precedent by allocating tithes to the Levites for their service. Deuteronomy 15:10-14 expands on the idea of generous giving, urging people to give freely and with a glad heart, promising God’s blessings in return. These scriptures lay a foundation for understanding how generosity is woven into the fabric of faith. As you read through these passages, consider how they reflect God’s heart for those in need and His desire for us to participate in His work through our generosity.

50 verses

  1. 1

    ““To the children of Levi, behold, I have given all the tithe in Israel for an inheritance, in return for their service which they serve, even the service of the Tent of Meeting.”

  2. 2

    “To the more you shall give the more inheritance, and to the fewer you shall give the less inheritance. To everyone according to those who were counted of him shall his inheritance be given.”

  3. 3

    “You shall surely give, and your heart shall not be grieved when you give to him; because that for this thing Yahweh your God will bless you in all your work, and in all that you put your hand to.”

  4. 4

    “For the poor will never cease out of the land. Therefore I command you to surely open your hand to your brother, to your needy, and to your poor, in your land.”

  5. 5

    “You shall furnish him liberally out of your flock, out of your threshing floor, and out of your wine press. As Yahweh your God has blessed you, you shall give to him.”

  6. 6

    “Every man shall give as he is able, according to Yahweh your God’s blessing which he has given you.”

  7. 7

    “When you have finished tithing all the tithe of your increase in the third year, which is the year of tithing, then you shall give it to the Levite, to the foreigner, to the fatherless, and to the widow, that they may eat within your gates, and be filled.”

  8. 8

    “Yahweh will command the blessing on you in your barns, and in all that you put your hand to. He will bless you in the land which Yahweh your God gives you.”

  9. 9

    “Yahweh will open to you his good treasure in the sky, to give the rain of your land in its season, and to bless all the work of your hand. You will lend to many nations, and you will not borrow.”

  10. 10

    “I know also, my God, that you try the heart, and have pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of my heart I have willingly offered all these things. Now I have seen with joy your people, who are present here, offer willingly to you.”

  11. 11

    “As soon as the commandment went out, the children of Israel gave in abundance the first fruits of grain, new wine, oil, honey, and of all the increase of the field; and they brought in the tithe of all things abundantly.”

  12. 12

    “Whatever more will be needed for the house of your God, which you may have occasion to give, give it out of the king’s treasure house.”

  13. 13

    “and that we should bring the first fruits of our dough, our wave offerings, the fruit of all kinds of trees, and the new wine and the oil, to the priests, to the rooms of the house of our God; and the tithes of our ground to the Levites; for they, the Levites, take the tithes in all the cities of our tillage.”

  14. 14

    “The priest the son of Aaron shall be with the Levites, when the Levites take tithes. The Levites shall bring up the tithe of the tithes to the house of our God, to the rooms, into the treasure house.”

  15. 15

    “The wicked borrow, and don’t pay back, but the righteous give generously.”

  16. 16

    “All day long he deals graciously, and lends. His offspringor, seed is blessed.”

  17. 17

    “You give to them; they gather. You open your hand; they are satisfied with good.”

  18. 18

    “that I may give wealth to those who love me. I fill their treasuries.”

  19. 19

    “The liberal soul shall be made fat. He who waters shall be watered also himself.”

  20. 20

    “There are those who covet greedily all day long; but the righteous give and don’t withhold.”

  21. 21

    “He who has a generous eye will be blessed; for he shares his food with the poor.”

  22. 22

    “A faithful man is rich with blessings; but one who is eager to be rich will not go unpunished.”

  23. 23

    “One who gives to the poor has no lack; but one who closes his eyes will have many curses.”

  24. 24

    “Every man also to whom God has given riches and wealth, and has given him power to eat of it, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labor—this is the gift of God.”

  25. 25

    “Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me! But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In tithes and offerings.”

  26. 26

    “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house, and test me now in this,” says Yahweh of Armies, “if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there will not be room enough for.”

  27. 27

    “Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers,TR adds “raise the dead,” and cast out demons. Freely you received, so freely give.”

  28. 28

    “To one he gave five talents,A talent is about 30 kilograms or 66 pounds (usually used to weigh silver unless otherwise specified) to another two, to another one; to each according to his own ability. Then he went on his journey.”

  29. 29

    “He who received the five talents came and brought another five talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents. Behold, I have gained another five talents besides them.’”

  30. 30

    “Jesus sat down opposite the treasury, and saw how the multitude cast money into the treasury. Many who were rich cast in much.”

  31. 31

    “But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing back; and your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind toward the unthankful and evil.”

  32. 32

    ““Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be given to you.literally, into your bosom. For with the same measure you measure it will be measured back to you.””

  33. 33

    “But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every herb, but you bypass justice and God’s love. You ought to have done these, and not to have left the other undone.”

  34. 34

    “I fast twice a week. I give tithes of all that I get.’”

  35. 35

    “for all these put in gifts for God from their abundance, but she, out of her poverty, put in all that she had to live on.””

  36. 36

    “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.’””

  37. 37

    “who “will pay back to everyone according to their works:”Psalm 62:12; Proverbs 24:12”

  38. 38

    “or he who exhorts, to his exhorting: he who gives, let him do it with generosity; he who rules, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.”

  39. 39

    “contributing to the needs of the saints; given to hospitality.”

  40. 40

    “how that in much proof of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded to the riches of their generosity.”

  41. 41

    “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.”

  42. 42

    “As it is written, “He who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack.”Exodus 16:8”

  43. 43

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

  44. 44

    “As it is written, “He has scattered abroad, he has given to the poor. His righteousness remains forever.”Psalm 112:9”

  45. 45

    “you being enriched in everything to all generosity, which produces through us thanksgiving to God.”

  46. 46

    “that they do good, that they be rich in good works, that they be ready to distribute, willing to share;”

  47. 47

    “saying, “Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you.”Genesis 22:17”

  48. 48

    “Here people who die receive tithes, but there one receives tithes of whom it is testified that he lives.”

  49. 49

    “We can say that through Abraham even Levi, who receives tithes, has paid tithes,”

  50. 50

    “As each has received a gift, employ it in serving one another, as good managers of the grace of God in its various forms.”

For your week

Reflect

Generosity transforms both the giver and the receiver. It opens pathways for blessings and fosters a community grounded in love and support. Reflect on how your giving can impact those around you.

Pray

Heavenly Father, guide me to give with a joyful heart. Help me to recognize opportunities to share my blessings with others. Amen.

Apply

This week, find one way to give generously, whether through time, resources, or encouragement. Let your giving be a reflection of God's love.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Bible say about generosity?

The Bible encourages generosity as an act of love and obedience to God. Deuteronomy 15:11 instructs us to "open your hand to your brother, to your needy, and to your poor." This reflects God’s heart for caring for others. Generosity is not just about material gifts but also about sharing time, encouragement, and kindness. Through giving, we reflect God's own generosity and His call to support one another.

How much should I give?

The Bible does not mandate a specific amount but emphasizes the heart's intention behind giving. 2 Corinthians 9:7 advises that each person should give what they have decided in their heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion. It's about willingness and cheerfulness in sharing what you have. Generosity isn’t measured by the size of the gift but by the love and willingness it embodies.

What is biblical generosity?

Biblical generosity is grounded in love, selflessness, and a heart aligned with God’s will. It involves giving freely and without expecting anything in return. Deuteronomy 15:10 speaks to this, encouraging us to give without a begrudging heart, promising blessings in our work. It's not limited to financial means but includes offering time, support, and encouragement. True generosity mirrors the unconditional love of Christ.

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