Bible Verses on Money & Why Christians Should Give
Talking about money in church can be uncomfortable and awkward. However, as followers of Christ, giving is not just an act of obedience—it’s a deep expression of our faith, gratitude, and love for God. The Bible is clear that giving is a vital part of our spiritual journey, and it’s woven into the very fabric of what it means to live a life surrendered to Jesus. But why should Christians talk about money and further, give to God? Let’s explore this question through the lens of Scripture and the teachings of Jesus.
1. Giving Reflects Our Gratitude for God’s Grace In 2 Corinthians 8:9, Paul reminds us of the ultimate act of generosity: “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.” Jesus gave everything for us—His life, His riches, His glory—so that we might experience the richness of His grace and salvation. When we give, we are responding to His immeasurable gift. We should ask ourselves the question, “what is Jesus worth to me?” Our giving is a way of saying, “Thank You, Jesus, for what You’ve done for me.”
2. Giving is an Act of Worship Giving is not just about money; it’s about worship. When we give, we acknowledge that everything we have belongs to God. In Matthew 6:21, Jesus says, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” By giving sacrificially, we demonstrate that our hearts are fully devoted to God. It’s a tangible way to worship Him and declare how much he means to our lives.
3. Giving Strengthens Our Faith Giving requires faith. It’s easy to trust God when we have plenty, but when we give sacrificially—especially when it feels like we don’t have enough—we are forced to rely on God to provide. Let’e be honest, this is uncomfortable for many Christians. The Macedonian churches in 2 Corinthians 8:1-5 are a powerful example of this very thing. Despite their “deep poverty,” they gave “beyond their ability” because they trusted God to provide. When we give, we exercise our faith muscles and grow in our dependence on God.
4. Giving Advances God’s Kingdom Our giving has eternal significance. When we give to the church or to those in need, we are investing in God’s kingdom. In Matthew 6:19-20, Jesus encourages us to “store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal.” Every dollar we give can be used to spread the gospel, support missionaries, feed the hungry, and care for the vulnerable. At Shine, 10% of all money we collect goes outside of the four walls of the church to bless others. Our giving has the power to change lives and bring glory to God.
5. Giving is a Command and a Privilege While giving won’t earn anyone salvation, it is a command from God. In Malachi 3:10, God challenges His people to “bring the whole tithe into the storehouse,” promising to pour out blessings when they obey. We don’t believe that giving entitles us to a particular blessing, but we do believe that God honors our giving in many ways. Sometime the blessing is tangible and sometimes the blessing is spiritual. But giving is also a privilege (believe it or not). It’s an opportunity to partner with God in His work and experience the joy of being used by Him.
Conclusion Giving is not just about money—it’s about the heart. It’s about recognizing the value Jesus has to us and that everything we have is a gift from God. We can then respond with gratitude, faith, and obedience. When we give, we worship God, strengthen our faith, and participate in His kingdom work. So let’s give cheerfully, sacrificially, and with a heart full of gratitude, knowing that our giving honors God and transforms lives.