Offering is a central concept in the Bible, often used to refer to the act of giving something valuable to God as an act of worship and obedience. This offering could take many forms, including offerings of money, time, service, or even physical objects.
What is Offering in the Bible?
In the Bible, offering refers to an act of giving something voluntarily as an expression of devotion to God. It draws from a deeply ingrained sense of gratitude and desire to give back in recognition of the abundance received. The act of offering is considered a spiritual discipline, designed to draw a person closer to God by loosening the grip of material possessions on the human heart.
Why Offering is Important in Biblical Teachings?
The Bible repeatedly emphasizes the importance of offerings. This is clear in many passages where the act of giving is mentioned in conjunction with the faithful following of God’s commandments. Offering is seen not only as a duty but also as a privilege and an act of worship — an opportunity to show love, gratitude, and recognition of God’s generosity. The offering also exemplifies one of the central concepts of the Bible: the love of God reflected in self-sacrifice, surrender, and service.
Who Does the Bible Enjoin to Make Offerings?
The Bible enjoins everyone—no matter their status or condition—to make offerings. It places no bounds on who can give or what can be given. Whether it is the rich young ruler or the poor widow, the Bible encourages everyone to give from their resources. The imperative of offering is not based on the quantity of the gift but on the heart and motivation behind giving. Thus, the Bible communicates a clear message that the act of offering transcends the limits of socio-economic status and is accessible to all.
Where Does the Bible Mention Offerings?
Offerings are mentioned throughout the Bible, from the early chapters of Genesis to the final pages of Revelation. The Bible tells stories of figures like Abraham and David making tangible offerings, as well as teachings from Jesus about the spiritual significance of giving. It is found in the commands of the Mosaic law, in prophetic calls for justice and generosity, and in the teachings of Jesus and His apostles. The concept of offering thus pervades the Bible, testifying to the importance and ubiquity of this act in biblical spirituality.
When are Offerings Made?
According to Biblical teachings, offerings are not confined to specific times or seasons—they can be made at any time. The Bible highlights the importance of regular giving, advising believers not to neglect this practice, which is part of their spiritual duties. Yet, it also highlights spontaneous acts of generosity, suggesting that the act of offering may arise from a deep sense of compassion or gratitude. Thus, the Bible encourages giving with planned discipline as well as spontaneous generosity, underlying the versatility and dynamic nature of offerings.
Below is our full list of bible verses on offering (King James Version – KJV) provided in ranked order.
Most Popular Bible Verses About Offering
2 Corinthians 9:7
“7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.”
Luke 6:38
“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.”
Related Themes: Reaping Money Reaping What You Sow Finances Serving Others
Proverbs 3:9-10
“9 Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.”
Mark 12:41-44
“41 And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.42 And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.43 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:44 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.”
Related Themes: Money Giving Finances Generosity
Acts 20:35
“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.”
Related Themes: Money Serving Others Charity Generosity Finances
Malachi 3:10
“10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”
Related Themes: Money Finances Reaping Prosperity Giving
Psalm 4:5
“5 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD.”
Related Themes: Trust
Deuteronomy 16:17
“17 Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD thy God which he hath given thee.”
Malachi 3:8-12
“8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.12 And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts.”
Matthew 6:31-33
“31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
Luke 21:1-4
“1 And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury.2 And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites.3 And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all:4 For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.”
Related Themes: Money Finances Charity Generosity
Luke 16:10
“10 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.”
Matthew 23:23
“23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.”
Related Themes: Justice Fidelity Money Hypocrisy Judging Others
Matthew 6:19-21
“19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
Related Themes: Money Homelessness Finances Materialism Coveting
1 Chronicles 29:9
“9 Then the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, because with perfect heart they offered willingly to the LORD: and David the king also rejoiced with great joy.”
Related Themes: Giving
Leviticus 27:30
“30 And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD’S: it is holy unto the LORD.”
Related Themes: Stewardship
Genesis 28:20-22
“20 And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on,21 So that I come again to my father’s house in peace; then shall the LORD be my God:22 And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God’s house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.”
Hebrews 13:15
“15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.”
Related Themes: Attitude Worship Pleasing God Sacrifice Music
Luke 11:42
“42 But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.”
John 3:16
“16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Related Themes: Trespassing Life Love Money Omnipotence
Matthew 6:21
“21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
Related Themes: Money Finances Heart Generosity Lust
Numbers 18:21
“21 And, behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, even the service of the tabernacle of the congregation.”
Romans 12:1
“1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”
Luke 11:13
“13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?”
Related Themes: Holy Spirit Family Discontent
Malachi 3:8
“8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.”
Proverbs 11:24
“24 There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.”
Related Themes: Greed Generosity Giving Money Volunteering
Hebrews 13:16
“16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.”
Related Themes: Strangers Sharing Sacrifice Charity Pleasing God
Exodus 35:4-6
“4 And Moses spake unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying, This is the thing which the LORD commanded, saying,5 Take ye from among you an offering unto the LORD: whosoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it, an offering of the LORD; gold, and silver, and brass,6 And blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats’ hair,”
Numbers 18:26
“26 Thus speak unto the Levites, and say unto them, When ye take of the children of Israel the tithes which I have given you from them for your inheritance, then ye shall offer up an heave offering of it for the LORD, even a tenth part of the tithe.”
2 Corinthians 9:10
“10 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)”
Related Themes: Reaping Reaping What You Sow Money Food
