What does the Bible say about giving to charity?

from the old testament

• In Proverbs, the author declares "he who is generous to the needy honors [his Maker]" (Proverbs 14:31).
• In Deuteronomy, God commanded, "You shall give to [your poor brother] freely, and your heart shall not be grudging when you give to him… For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, 'You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land'" (Deuteronomy 15:10–11).
• Withholding aid is a grievous sin. Ezekiel 16:49 records, "Behold, this was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had pride, excess of food, and prosperous ease, but did not aid the poor and needy." These verses show that helping those in need is an expectation for those who follow God.
• People give to charities to support the ministry and its workers, a practice rooted in God's establishment of provisions for priests, as illustrated in Exodus 29:28, where the breast and thigh of sacrificed rams were designated as a "perpetual due" for Aaron and his sons from the contributions of the people of Israel.

from the new testament

• Acts 4:32–35 describes the church community sharing resources and giving donations which the church leaders distributed to those in need.
• Acts 6:1 refers to "the daily distribution," and specifically to widows who were being overlooked in this daily provision for needs. The apostles resolved the issue by appointing seven men to oversee the distribution, ensuring that no needy widows were overlooked and highlighting a system of trust in both church leaders and those managing the aid.
• Churches not only supported local needs but also contributed resources to aid the poor in distant areas, as seen in Paul's letter to the Romans where he mentioned bringing aid to the saints in Jerusalem from the believers in Macedonia and Achaia (Romans 15:25–28). This act of entrusting donations to Paul for distribution mirrors modern charitable practices where individuals give to organizations that help those in need.
• Jesus' own ministry was supported in part by the financial contributions of women who followed him (Luke 8:2–3).
• Paul talks about the appropriateness of those serving in ministry receiving material support for it (1 Corinthians 9:9–14; Galatians 6:6; 1 Timothy 5:17–18).
• John wrote to the churches, "You will do well to send [the missionaries] on their journey in a manner worthy of God. For they have gone out for the sake of the name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. Therefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth" (3 John 1:6–8). Thus financially contributing to ministries that serve the Lord is an expected practice for those who have the means to do so.

implications for today

The Bible teaches that giving to charity can happen in a direct individual manner or through a third party for benefit of the poor and needy or for the purpose of supporting a ministry. The Bible encourages believers to adopt a posture of generosity and readiness to share, as emphasized in 1 Timothy 6:18. This attitude means that charitable giving should not be viewed as a one-time act but as a consistent and integral part of our lives. When giving through a third party, such as a church or charitable organization, it is crucial to ensure these entities operate with integrity and transparency. Conducting due diligence to verify responsible fund handling and understanding their mission can help us make informed decisions about where our resources are directed.

Moreover, cultivating a spirit of generosity is vital in our giving practices. Our contributions should flow from a genuine desire to bless others and further God's kingdom rather than merely fulfilling an obligation. Establishing a regular practice of charitable giving not only aids those in need but also deepens our own faith, fostering a reliance on God as our ultimate provider. As generosity becomes a lifestyle, it reflects our commitment to living out Christ's love in tangible ways, inspiring others to do the same and creating a ripple effect of kindness and support within our communities.