Beneficence: General Scriptures Concerning

If there is a poor man among your brothers within any of the gates in the land that the LORD your God is giving you, then you are not to harden your heart or shut your hand from your poor brother. …

Now if your countryman becomes destitute and cannot support himself among you, then you are to help him as you would a foreigner or stranger, so that he can continue to live among you. …

For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. Blessed is the one who cares for the poor; the LORD will deliver him in the day of trouble.

He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever; his horn will be lifted high in honor.

Do not withhold good from the deserving when it is within your power to act.

Do not tell your neighbor, “Come back tomorrow and I will provide”—when you already have the means.

A generous soul will prosper, and he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.

A generous man will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor.

If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.

For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.

Whoever gives to the poor will not be in need, but he who hides his eyes will receive many curses.

Isn’t this the fast that I have chosen: to break the chains of wickedness, to untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and tear off every yoke?

Isn’t it to share your bread with the hungry, to bring the poor and homeless into your home, to clothe the naked when you see him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

…and if you give yourself to the hungry and satisfy the afflicted soul, then your light will go forth in the darkness, and your night will be like noonday.

The LORD will always guide you; He will satisfy you in a sun-scorched land and strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.

Now suppose a man is righteous and does what is just and right:

Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.”

For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you took Me in, …

Indeed, if anyone gives you even a cup of water because you bear the name of Christ, truly I tell you, he will never lose his reward.

Jesus looked at him, loved him, and said to him, “There is one thing you lack: Go, sell everything you own and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.”

John replied, “Whoever has two tunics should share with him who has none, and whoever has food should do the same.”

But give as alms the things that are within you, and behold, everything will be clean for you.

In those days when the disciples were increasing in number, the Grecian Jews among them began to grumble against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. …

So the disciples, each according to his ability, decided to send relief to the brothers living in Judea.

This they did, sending their gifts to the elders with Barnabas and Saul.

Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem to serve the saints there. …

If I give all I possess to the poor and exult in the surrender of my body, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Now about the collection for the saints, you are to do as I directed the churches of Galatia: …

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

In full view of the churches, then, show these men the proof of your love and the reason for our boasting about you.

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

They only asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.

Now I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. …

If anyone does not provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

If any believing woman has dependent widows, she must assist them and not allow the church to be burdened, so that it can help the widows who are truly in need.

Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, and to be generous and ready to share,

For God is not unjust. He will not forget your work and the love you have shown for His name as you have ministered to the saints and continue to do so.

And do not neglect to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.

If one of you tells him, “Go in peace; stay warm and well fed,” but does not provide for his physical needs, what good is that?

If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need, but withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him?