Giving generously to those in need is an important part of the Christian life. The Bible has a lot to say about how and to whom we should donate our time, talents, and treasures. Here is an overview of the Bible’s guidance on who we should prioritize in our giving.
Give to the Poor and Needy
One of the most frequently repeated principles in Scripture is that we should give generously to the poor and needy. For example:
“Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.” (Proverbs 19:17)
“Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself call out and not be answered.” (Proverbs 21:13)
“Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him.” (Proverbs 14:31)
Jesus also emphasized caring for the poor and needy as an important way to love our neighbor:
“Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys.” (Luke 12:33)
“When you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.” (Luke 14:13-14)
The apostles likewise teach us to remember the poor:
“Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” (James 1:27)
“If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?” (James 2:15-16)
Giving generously to the poor is a way we can live out the gospel and love others as Christ has loved us. As we share food, clothing, and resources with those who lack, we display Christ’s love in a tangible way.
Give to Your Local Church
In addition to meeting direct physical needs, the New Testament places a priority on giving to support gospel ministry through the local church. Paul gives instructions for systematic giving to the church:
“On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come.” (1 Corinthians 16:2)
He reminds the Corinthians that their giving funds ministry to others:
“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 by his poverty might become rich.” (2 Corinthians 8:9)
And he commends the Macedonian church for urgent, sacrificial giving to support ministry:
“We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints.” (2 Corinthians 8:1-4)
Giving to our local church should be regular and proportional to what God has given us. This enables pastors to be supported full-time, facilities to be maintained, and ministry resources to be funded. Our giving helps facilitate making disciples in our community and preaching the gospel around the world.
Give to Mission Efforts and Missionaries
In Acts, we frequently see believers giving funds to support gospel ministry beyond their local context. The church in Antioch gave to support Paul and Barnabas’ first missionary journey:
“And when they had come and gathered the church together, they reported all that God had done with them, and that he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. And they remained no little time with the disciples.” (Acts 14:27-28)
Churches in Macedonia, Corinth, Philippi and Thessalonica all gave to support Paul’s ministry in other cities (Philippians 4:15-16). The spreading of the gospel demands resources, and the early church generously gave to fund mission efforts throughout their world.
We have a similar responsibility today. Missionaries who leave their homes and travel to unfamiliar places depend on the generous giving of God’s people to support their basic needs. Sponsoring a missionary helps ensure gospel preaching and disciple-making can occur around the globe.
Give to Christian Ministries Making a Difference
The temple tax in the Old Testament went to support the full-time ministry of the Levites (Numbers 18:21). Likewise, our giving can support ministry efforts beyond just our local churches. There are many Christian organizations addressing social issues, creating inspirational media, providing biblical education, caring for the sick, and working to make disciples in specialized contexts. As we become aware of ministries making a positive difference for God’s Kingdom, we can support their work through giving.
Give to Fellow Believers in Need
Christians should also give generously to fellow believers, both locally and globally. The early church displayed radical generosity and care for one another:
“All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.” (Acts 2:44-45)
John encourages us not to ignore a brother or sister in need:
“But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?” (1 John 3:17)
When we hear of a fellow Christian who has lost a job, faced unexpected medical bills, endured a difficult providence like a natural disaster, or has an urgent need, we should look for opportunities to generously support them.
Give Privately and Not for Recognition
Jesus emphasized giving privately rather than publicly to be noticed:
“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” (Matthew 6:1-4)
Paul reminds us:
“The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:6-7)
We should give freely and liberally, not under obligation or coercion. And we should avoid giving primarily for the purpose of being recognized by others.
Consider Long-Term Giving and Leaving a Legacy
Beyond one-time gifts, we can think long-term about how we utilize our resources for God’s Kingdom throughout our lives and even after our death. Some ways believers can facilitate long-term giving include:
- Creating a donor-advised fund – This enables you to make irrevocable charitable donations, receive immediate tax benefits, and recommend grants from the fund over time.
- Including a charitable bequest in your will – You can designate a certain amount or percentage of your estate to go to a church, ministry, or other charity when you pass away.
- Naming a charity as a beneficiary of your retirement account or life insurance policy.
- Donating appreciated assets like real estate, business interests, or investments – This allows you to avoid capital gains taxes and maximize your giving capacity.
- Creating a charitable gift annuity – This provides fixed payments to you during your life, with the remainder going to a ministry you select after your death.
Exploring long-term giving strategies can multiply the impact of the resources God has given you.
Ask God for Wisdom
Since needs are great and resources limited, we should ask God for wisdom in how to best invest what He has entrusted to us. As we pray, study Scripture, listen to trusted advisors, and look at ministry results, God will guide us to make wise, eternal investments in His work.
The apostle James reminds us:
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” (James 1:5)
With the guidance of God’s Spirit, we can have confidence our giving will have lasting impact for the glory of Christ. We should give regularly, generously, and strategically – not under compulsion, but freely out of love.
Conclusion
In summary, the Bible encourages us to give to:
- The poor and needy
- Our local church
- Mission efforts and missionaries
- Christian ministries making a difference
- Fellow believers with urgent needs
We should give freely, cheerfully, and secretly rather than for public recognition. And we can consider long-term giving strategies and ask God for wisdom in how to best use what He has given us for Kingdom impact.
Who we give to is just as important as how much we give. As we seek to honor God and love others through our donations of time, talents, and treasures, Scripture provides helpful guidance on priorities and perspectives. With the Spirit’s help, we can live generously as conduits of God’s grace rather than simply consumers of His blessings.