Bible Verses About Beneficence

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.

Then, on my arrival, I will send letters with those you recommend to carry your gift to Jerusalem.

Now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the churches of Macedonia.

In the terrible ordeal they suffered, their abundant joy and deep poverty overflowed into rich generosity.

For I testify that they gave according to their ability and even beyond it. Of their own accord,

they earnestly pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints.

And not only did they do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us, because it was the will of God.

So we urged Titus to help complete your act of grace, just as he had started it.

But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness, and in the love we inspired in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.

I am not making a demand, but I am testing the sincerity of your love in comparison to the earnestness of others.

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.

And this is my opinion about what is helpful for you in this matter: Last year you were the first not only to give, but even to have such a desire.

Now finish the work, so that you may complete it just as eagerly as you began, according to your means.

For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.

It is not our intention that others may be relieved while you are burdened, but that there may be equality.

At the present time, your surplus will meet their need, so that in turn their surplus will meet your need. Then there will be equality.

As it is written: “He who gathered much had no excess, and he who gathered little had no shortfall.”

Now about the service to the saints, there is no need for me to write to you.

For I know your eagerness to help, and I have been boasting to the Macedonians that since last year you in Achaia were prepared to give. And your zeal has stirred most of them to do likewise.

But I am sending the brothers in order that our boasting about you in this matter should not prove empty, but that you will be prepared, just as I said.

Otherwise, if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we—to say nothing of you—would be ashamed of having been so confident.

So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you beforehand and make arrangements for the bountiful gift you had promised. This way, your gift will be prepared generously and not begrudgingly.

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.

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.

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.