Bible verses about generosity
2 Corinthians 9:6-8, Acts 20:35 and Proverbs 11:24-25 are the main Bible verses about generosity. They talk about giving freely, about giving being its own kind of gain, and about open hands versus tight ones. All twelve verses are below in full.
Free to read, no account. Last updated November 9, 2026. Scripture: King James Version and World English Bible (public domain).
1.2 Corinthians 9:6-8
But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
In the World English Bible
Remember this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly. He who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Let each man give according as he has determined in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that you, always having all sufficiency in everything, may abound to every good work.
Paul on giving: each person decides in their own heart, without pressure, and cheerful givers are valued.
2.Acts 20:35
I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
In the World English Bible
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.’”
Only Acts records this saying of Jesus, about giving being better than receiving.
3.Proverbs 11:24-25
There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.
In the World English Bible
There is one who scatters, and increases yet more. There is one who withholds more than is appropriate, but gains poverty. The liberal soul shall be made fat. He who waters shall be watered also himself.
One person gives freely and grows richer, another hoards and gets poorer. A paradox that doesn't always match the bank balance.
4.Luke 6:38
Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
In the World English Bible
“Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be given to you. For with the same measure you measure it will be measured back to you.”
Jesus describes a full, shaken-down, overflowing measure. Said after talking about mercy and not judging.
5.Proverbs 22:9
He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.
In the World English Bible
He who has a generous eye will be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.
Sharing food with the poor is called a blessing.
6.Matthew 6:3-4
But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.
In the World English Bible
But when you do merciful deeds, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand does, so that your merciful deeds may be in secret, then your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
Give without announcing it. Jesus wants giving that stays between you and God.
7.1 Timothy 6:17-19
Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.
In the World English Bible
Charge those who are rich in this present age that they not be arrogant, nor have their hope set on the uncertainty of riches, but on the living God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy; that they do good, that they be rich in good works, that they be ready to distribute, willing to share; laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold of eternal life.
The wealthy get advice here: don't lean on riches, be rich in good deeds and ready to share.
8.Deuteronomy 15:10-11
Thou shalt surely give him, and thine heart shall not be grieved when thou givest unto him: because that for this thing the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all thy works, and in all that thou puttest thine hand unto. For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land.
In the World English Bible
You shall surely give, and your heart shall not be grieved when you give to him, because it is for this thing the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in all that you put your hand to. 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.
An old law about lending to the poor without resentment. It also admits the poor will always be around.
9.Mark 12:43-44
And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.
In the World English Bible
He called his disciples to himself and said to them, “Most certainly I tell you, this poor widow gave more than all those who are giving into the treasury, for they all gave out of their abundance, but she, out of her poverty, gave all that she had to live on.”
Two small coins from a poor widow. Jesus says she gave more than the rich because it was all she had.
10.1 John 3:17
But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
In the World English Bible
But whoever has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, then closes his heart of compassion against him, how does God’s love remain in him?
Pointed question about seeing a person in need and closing your heart.
11.Luke 3:11
He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.
In the World English Bible
He answered them, “He who has two coats, let him give to him who has none. He who has food, let him do likewise.”
John the Baptist's answer to the crowd: if you've got two coats, share one.
12.Hebrews 13:16
But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
In the World English Bible
But don’t forget to be doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
Doing good and sharing are called sacrifices that please God.
Free
Get one verse every morning
Today's verse, a short reflection and a prayer. Free, no account.
Read today's verseQuestions
What is a good Bible verse about generosity?
2 Corinthians 9:6-8 is a good place to start. Paul on giving: each person decides in their own heart, without pressure, and cheerful givers are valued.
How much should a person give?
2 Corinthians 9:6-8 says each person decides in their heart, without pressure. Deuteronomy 15:10-11 and Luke 3:11 focus on sharing what you have with people in need. Different churches teach different percentages, and the passages here don't set one number.
Does the Bible say to give in secret?
Matthew 6:3-4 does. Jesus contrasts giving for applause with giving quietly. Mark 12:43-44 notes that a small gift can count for a lot.
Related topics
Made by Lamplight, a small Sarvixo product. Notes on each verse are ours, written with AI tools and checked against the passage. The verses are printed exactly as published.