1 Corinthians 13:1-8: If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.  And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If… Read More »

2 Corinthians 9:6-8: The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things… Read More »

Acts 20:35: In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” In Paul’s day the culture lacked mercy. There were no government programs to help the poor and the sick.… Read More »

Luke 6:37-38: Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38 Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured… Read More »

Matthew 6:3-4: But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly. As followers of Jesus are giving should be prompted by compassion and obedience. Remember, God expects… Read More »

Proverbs 11: 24-25: One gives freely yet, grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered. These two verses deal with the blessings of generosity and the curse of selfishness. The paradox does not refer to simple financial dealings. But, rather… Read More »

Proverbs 3:27: Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it. This verse is a call to a life of goodwill and helpfulness. And, it actually address the idea of what Jesus taught about loving our neighbor as ourself. When Jesus was teaching the Parable… Read More »

Deuteronomy 16:17:  Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord your God that he has given you. As Merrill points out each is to bring a gift to the Lord in proportion to the way the God has blessed you. This connects the vertical giving and grateful tribute of a covenant people… Read More »

Micah 6:8: He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God. Micah tell us what God expects from His people. First, to act justly. God is a God justice. We don’t live in a just world and… Read More »

Hebrews 6:4-6: For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once… Read More »