Below is an extensive list of all the bible verses that discuss how offerings were used in the New Testament. Although this is not a list of every bible verse that talks about giving, these bible verses are all the ones that reveal how offerings were distributed in the early Church. Do me a favor and compare our giving and distribution model in the Church ‘today’ with the model that we find in the early Church. At the end, you will see a challenge that comes with a cash reward if you succeed. All bible verses below are in NKJV.
- Acts 2:44-45 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.
- Acts 4:34-35 Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need.
- Acts 11:27-30 And in these days prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch. Then one of them, named Agabus, stood up and showed by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine throughout all the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius Caesar. Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea. This they also did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.
- Acts 20:35 have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak.
- Romans 12:13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.
- Romans 15:26 For it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor
- 2 Corinthians 8:14-15 but by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may supply their lack, that their abundance also may supply your lack—that there may be equality. As it is written, “He who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack.”
- 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. 9As it is written: “He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever.”
- 2 Corinthians 9:12 For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God.
- 2 Corinthians 11:9 And when I was present with you, and in need, I was a burden to no one, for what I lacked the brethren who came from Macedonia supplied.
- Galatians 2:9,10 and when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that had been given to me, they gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. They desired only that we should remember the poor, the very thing which I also was eager to do.
- Ephesians 4:28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.
- Phillippians 4:10-11,14-16 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: . . . Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress. 15Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. 16For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities.
- Titus 3:14 And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful
- James 1:27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress
- James 2:15-16 a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?
- 1 John 3:17 But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?
I will send $50 to anyone who first finds a bible verse that urges generosity in the early church for anything other than an essential need. I will send $15 to anyone who can find a verse to add to the list above. The verse must be in reference to the church in Acts through Revelation, and must be universally translated the same within the KJV, NKJV, NIV, and NASB in regards to how offerings were distributed or used. If you find a bible verse and want the reward, post it in the comments, and i will send you an email to get your mailing address to send the cash through paypal or mail. Hey, i’m offering this without doing extensive research, so you might get lucky. Hopefully, i won’t be broke by the time this is done.
I agree, the calling and work merits the support.
Gala 6:6 Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.
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1Tim 5:17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
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1Tim 5:18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer [is] worthy of his reward..1Cor 9:9 For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?
1Cor 9:10 Or saith he [it] altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, [this] is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.
1Cor 9:11 If we have sown unto you spiritual things, [is it] a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things? .
Ga. 6:6 doesn’t say anything about financial support, just that you communicate to that teacher how he has helped.
I tim 5:17 is not speaking of financial support. We can’t interpret double honor as a salary, because later in this book is tells slaves that their masters are worthy of “honor.” So do they pay their masters half a salary?
1 tim 5:18 gives the example of a labour and also of an oxen. He’s not calling an elder either. Again he is just saying that they should receive proper respect and appreciation.
1 Cor 9, Paul is not making an urgent appeal. He just stresses that they certainly have the right to receive help from time to time when traveling from one place to another. And he is very careful to add here and in Acts 20, he doesn’t take advantage of that right.
Jared-I would like 15$ but there are no such scriptures for supporting anything financially but needs. If there were such scriptures we would all have them memorized in American Christianity because many U.S. preachers make sure that scriptures helping to entitle them are taught often. Haiti has real needs. Christians all have a responsibility to the poor, children and those in great need. Where a preachers treasure is so will that preacher’s heart be. Missionaries look to give their lives away more than most American preachers. Why do so many U.S. Christians think that Comfortable preachers can help them learn them more about Jesus than missionaries who suffer? All Christians are priest and all priests have missions.
The best missionaries are the ones willing to suffer and give the most. Who disagrees that the best Christians suffer the most? Leadership in Jesus gives the most away. Too many pastors in the U.S. look like worldly winners and many folks would want their jobs. However missionaries to Haiti, Africa and dangerous Muslim countries live lives like Jesus and the Disciples. Few people want to be missionaries in danger. Who should we look up as models for Christ like lives? Should believers in Jesus, look to common U.S. middle class preachers, or poorer than average missionaries in poor or dangerous countries? Who are the most responsible leaders in Christ? The best answer is those that suffer the most in Christ. Who disagrees with that?
Christ in Us.
Don’t be so quick to assume that U.S middle class preachers can’t teach us anything as many of them responsible for making these missions in dangerous foreign countries possible.
The conclusion of the matter is that the church still does not value the words and teachings of Christ. None of you have a problem paying your bills; purchasing merchandise; even though you are probably paying retail which is sometimes a 100%. You pay exhaubitant fees for medical and different types of maintenance needs. But you complain about giving money or even paying tithes? Tithes is simply a tenth; name anyone on Forbes list who does not donate more than a tenth? A Christian gives a part of their earnings as honor to God and to support the church who is charged with the mission of proclaiming this gospel. Jesus told the pharisees, you ought to have paid your tithes and still do good deeds. You complain because you don’t esteem the word of life that is being preached from your pulpits. So keep your money as you will need it for the doctors, psychiatrist, mechanics, etc…
The verse you refer to when Christ says “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.” is Matthew 23:23 seems to suggest that tithing should still be for today as He did not speak against it or said that it should not be practiced any longer. “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.” Matthew 5:17) Just because He fulfilled the law doesn’t mean that we should not tithe any longer. The only thing is is that we are not slaves to the law.
Look at the laws in the old testament first.especially the law on tithing.the law requires increase from land,cattle or crop.2nd not everyone in the old testament by law had to give a tithe.for example Jesus he was the son of a carpenter.and since Joseph his father did not own farm land or a cattle ranch to give the required 10% increase he did not tithed.mathew 23:23 was only stating that they only followed part of the law but not the weightier part ,such as love,mercy and the concerns of others.in fact during christ’s 3 1/2 years of ministry he nor his 12 apostle tithed.the law required only food and drink.which also was used for the purification of sins.and for 400 years when they were in captivity to the assyrians and babylonians they didn’t tithed at all.tithing was only done to meet the requirements of law to meet the needs of the temple priest.because they were not give a inheritance of land.no one in old or new testament gave personal income as tithes.in numbers chapter 18 it explains tithing and who received them and why.no where in the bible does it tell a Christian to give 10% of his earnings to the church.read hosea 6:6 back to numbers chapter 18.God told Moses to speak to the livites and tell them when they receive the tithe from the children of Israel that I have given to them as their inheritance. To take a tenth of the tithe as a wave offering before the lord. 10÷10=1% this was used as a ceremonial offering of reverence. Read deuteronomy 14 this explains why.todays pastors are making Christians give a tithe offering that was set aside as a holy offering for God himself.which was only 1% not 10%.Roman’s 10:4 for christ is the end of the law .for righteousness to who ever beleives.what this means is he fulfilled the requirement of law.both sacrifice and gift offering for the atonement of sins.which the first covenant could not acheive.why because God found fault with the first ,it was weak and worthless.by calling the covenant new the first was made old,and what is old is soon near to being obsolete. John 14.christ says that if anyone has faith in me,he will do the good works that I have been doing.and he will do even greater works than these.john 14:23 christ says if everyone loves me he will obey my teachings.For my father will love him and we will come to gather and make our home with him. NOW ASK YOURSELF A QUESTION WHERE IN THE GOSPEL DOES IT SAY THAT CHRIST GAVE TITHES OR HIS 12 APOSTLES GAVE TITHES.WHERE DOES IT EVEN STATE THAT CHRIST OR THE APOSTLES RECEIVED TITHES.AND REMEMBER HE FED THE 4,OOO AND 5,000 OF MULTITUDEs OF PEOPLE.AND THAT WAS ONLY THE MEN .the bible does not state how many woman and children.thats a lot of money they could have received. Now if God receive the first fruits of all tithes in the old testament. DON’T YOU THINK IN THE NEW testament that christ would have received the same consideration. I mean after all he is our eternal high priest.But he did not tithed or receive tithes because if he did he would have sinned. Because first the law requires that only those who own land to pay tithes in order to support the livites and temple priests.And second he knew that all tithes in the land could only be collected by the livites. Because his father provide tithes to them as their inheritance. That is why the livites Had to set aside the first fruits of the tithes for God.moses also received tithes from the children of Israel and was required to give a tenth of the Lord’s portion to Aaron and his sons the high priest.10÷10%=1% that was given to aaron.and his sons.they don’t teach this because they know most Christians won’t challenge there teachings or read their bibles.1 corinthians 9:6-7 Paul says each one should give what he has decided within is own heart to give.not reluctantly or thru compulsions.compulsions means to be forced or made to give based on law or rule.well guess what tithing is part of the mosaic law.and in 1 Peter,Peter says not to listen to men’s fables or commandments or false doctorines.romans 10:17 says faith comes from hearing,and hearing thru the word of christ.faith is living our lives based on the living word of god.hope and faith in christ and following the example that he left behind for us to follow closely in his foot steps.Chist Jesus is the author and writer of our faith.and our faith comes from every word that precedes out of the mouth of god .not only the evidence of the miracles themselves.But by word of truth thru the testimony of God’s will and heavenly kingdom by christ himself.remember the truth in me shall set you free,indeed you shall be free.for I shall put my laws into their thoughts and write them across the table of their hearts.and the unrighteousness of their sins shall be forgiven.andl I shall remember them no more.we were justified by our faith in christ because we beleive not only was he the son of the living god.who he raised from the dead but we excepted also his will and lordship thru christ.christ came into the world to seek and save which was lost.he came to do establish gods will on earth as it was already established in heaven. First by living a blameless life,2nd by establishing God’s ministry thru the good news of faith.3rd setting up gods kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.thru his body the church.recite the Lord’s prayer and you will see what I am saying.these are all the things he had to accomplish before his sacrifice at the cross.praise his name for with out him where would we be.basicly what I am saying salvation is the personal relationship that you have with God thru christ.And it is not up to the church or pastors to oppose their will upon you rather if be tithes or anything else. We have done nothing to earn salvation.But it was christ who was nailed to the cross for me and you and the world for sin.He did it freely and willingly and that is why we have favor with god.becaues of our love and faith in christ and God our father. Mathew 10 :7 Jesus said to the apostles freely you have received,freely give.for the worker is worth his keep.what this means is he did not come to to serve his own will.But to glorify God’s kingdom by doing gods will thru the teachings of the gospel and showing us God himself.so that we may follow his example of obedience thru his faith and love towards god.so we don’t take tithes or gifts from people. Because all of us belong to a race of a royal priest hood,a nation of holy people in God’s possession. And in God’s kingdom we are all equals and Share in a heavenly inheritance as gods adopted children. So then why is it that pastors are seek something else that the rest of the body is not seeking. When the bible states one baptism,one faith one body.which in the body there are many members and different parts.but if all the parts do not function togather then the body can not work.christ says a house divided can never stand.so then why is one part of the by focusing on worldly prosperity and the other part of the body is focusing on heavenly prosperity. Faith is about total trust and confidence.jesus said to trust in God and him also.God said not to put your faith in man. Because their hearts are desperately wicked.So I guess God not lying.because any pastor who puts personal gain before the living word of God is a anti-christ.Did god not say to james,John and Peter on the Mount of transfiguration. Elijah and Moses time has come and gone .but this is my beloved son to whom I am well pleased.to listen to him.Has God’s instructions changed?Or people with little faith can’t follow or understand God’s orders to follow christ Jesus not man.if christ did not teach tithing nor did he tithe himself.Can these pastor truly say that they are truly following or practicing true faith.Especially when ordained clergy allows woman to teach and be leaders in the church and the house of God .Which the bible speaks against.ephesians 5:23 explains why they can not and so does i beleive Genesis 14.womans punishment for sins was birth pains during labor,and being put under submission to man.Did God change his mind,or are these woman pastors that ignorant to God’s law.people put emphasis on tithing.But not on the men or woman who do not teach sound doctrine. nor follow the same teachings of christ that they themselves are supposed to be the very examples of?and these practices go un questioned. There were plenty of religious groups during Jesus time.but he did not choose them,and for the same reasons he didn’t neither should we.and the reason is bad morals corrupts and Leeds to unrighteous practices.You read the gospel and you apply the words of god to your everyday life.you do not pick and choose what to follow and you definitely do not cause the children of God to stubble backwards. because you are living cardinal and preaching in a ungodly building. Prime example clefflo dollar makes over 8o million dollars a year.has a mansion in Atlanta,owns 10 properties in Atlanta and 5 in new Jersey.who pays for all these luxuries and self-indulgentes.what part of what Jesus said does he not understand do not store up worldly possession where robbers can come and take them.or what about not living off the fruits others people’s labor.or how about if a man does not work neither should he eat.the bible says good works are those done to bring glory,praises and honor to to christ. Not works done for one’s own personal ambitions,greed or to use others to prosper in their own lives.which seems to be the case in most pastors cases.Please read and study your bible for this is your approval before god .God bless.
According to the Bible, the tithe is to be given to the Levites who had dedicated all their lives in temple service because they have no inheritance. When Christ died on the cross, the veil of the temple tore into two and that signified that many old testament services in the temple are no longer required. The Levites services were no longer required, the killing of lambs in the temple were no longer required, because the lamb of God has paid the price for all. Now if the tithing is still applicable today, where are the Levites to receive the tithe and why did the apostles never encourage anyone to pay tithe? The apostles only encourage the followers of Christ to help those in need and to support the gospel of Christ and that means supporting churches when their is need. Funding a man to buy a private jet and to live in a house that is very expensive where people are suffering is not giving to the needy.
The new testament is in Jesus blood. This statement was made to people under the law, scribes and pharisees. It does not apply to new testament believers.
Stop twisting scripture ,read it properly it says “MINT, ARNISE and CUMMIN ” Not Dollars,Pounds, or Euros . Money was given to the treasury at the temple but not for tithes .
Stop adding to scripture food and animals raised within the gates of Israel is holy on to God not money because Ceasars picture was on it and no money was allowed in the temple.
Jesus siad you cant serve both God and money either you hate one and serve the other. People who teach unbiblical money tithes are coveting their neighbours money (10%) for themselves not for God
If you knew anything about the way old testament offerings worked such as the guilt offerings, etc. If a person was not able to get an animal to temple to sacrifice it was permitted for them to sell an unblemished animal and bring the money to the temple. Now, that might sound a lot like Dollars, Pounds or Euros although none of those three currencies were in effect then.
I repeat stop lying about the bible , Deuteronomy 14:22-29 NKJ,NLT,AMP says sell the tithe.It does not say sell the money for money and spent it one whatever your heart desires . Do not covet your neighbours money and try to cover it up with twisting and misinterpreting scriptures.
They call that fraud .God does not want us to defraud people using the bible to con christians of their hard earned money .
Robert, these were the money changers at the temple that Jesus drove out for turning the temple into a place of business
Amen I agree.god does not need our money.but our praises,faithfulness and love.and you are right my friend the scripture about giving to to ceaser what belongs ceaser and God what belongs to God. One was money which involved taxes.a pol tax.but Jesus had them pay temple taxes .and he himself paid the temple tax ,when he pulled a coin out of the mouth of a fish.and you are right you can not serve both God and money.and yet it’s funny today’s pastors want tithes,but they don’t what to pay temple taxes. so they file for a exemption once a year making themselves exempt from paying this tax.But Jesus said to follow gods laws but also man’s laws.and yet they are not following the example that Jesus did. And this scripture has nothing to do whith tithing once so ever.what belongs to God is are spirits,and we were created to serve God thru praise and worship.they say they should be paid because they provide a service in the church.and if this is the case then they work for the church. therefore they have a taxable income, because they have a place that employs there services.just like the services we get paid for at the job who employs us.or they feel that their calling was to minister in the church.And because God called them to do so the congregation should take care of them.but correct me if I am wrong.but did not the apostle Paul earn his wages during his ministries by building tents. Did not also the other apostles go back and continue with their lively hoods thus continuing to witness the gospel of faith?which truly shows these pastors motives of making money from the church.and because also the people following these blind guides are also blind they will eventually fall in the same ditch.the lake of fire.And did not christ worn the israelites about turning his father’s temple into a market place? And trading there to eventually making a whip .And turning over the tables and chasing the people out.and yet history repeats itself.
Tithe was animal and crop never money…they had money in the old test. But never tithe money…fake preachers are hustling …money been around from genisis all the way to the new test…in old test they tithed crop and animals…animals for the blood…the atonement was with blood…Christ gave his blood. Money don’t bleed…money could not give atonement.
Akin,
The only thing i ask is to support your accusations by showing where anyone here is telling you to avoid giving, or being sacrificial?
My brother recently asked his church for help with a cut off notice on his electric. The church counter offered food “but would prefer not to give money for a bill.” My brother told them that really wouldn’t help as they have food stamps for food and that their electric was much higher than normal and that was the need.
It troubles me that we christians do this. Why do churches refer their members to those outside the church for help with a utility bill. If the church has the means they should help their members, why would you send a long time member to the ministrial alliance? Any thoughts?
Charles, you obviously asked your question a long time ago – but I thought I’d weigh in with my two cents anyway. I do believe “the church” is to help a brother in need…but I also believe “the church” is comprised of individuals. While I believe it is appropriate for a local congregation to choose to meet needs this way, it is also appropriate for the individuals who comprise the church to do this. In fact, without being too pointed, Scripture is clear that family members are to take care of one another before burdening the church with their need. (See 1 Timothy 5:4, 7 & 8.)
I respectfully disagree. The bible instructs us time and time again to help the poor and under privledged. (Det 15:11) “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.” The pastors/overseers, etc expect the people in the congregation to give their monies not only for the upkeep of the church and paying the church bills but many of them put a ungodly burden on their member to finance them their spouses a lavish lifestyle while their members live a poverished lifestyle???? If a member does not pay tithes, the pastor will use spiritual extortion to tell them if they don’t, God will curse them (Malichi 3:8) but that is not true according to (Galatians 3:13) If you notice, churches NEVER read or teach from Malichi 1&
2, they always start from the 3rd chapter??? Because if someone reads and studies Malchi 1&2 they will see the this commandment wherein God says he will curse someone is directed to the priest, not the people (Malichi 2:1) but because people do not study the bible as they should they think God is talking to the people when he only directed that curse to the priest. If faith church members pay their monies to assist the church, then the church is remiss and has a duty to assist their members. God is not too happy with church that feed themselves and not their flock according to Ezekiel 34, God makes it known how angry this makes him. Jesus saw people hungry and feed multitudes of people and NOT ONCE, did he ask for a dime.
Man made church buildings are anti christ
I know its wrong, if you ask the father for bread he won’t give you a stone
Seeing brothers share is definitely good stuff. What always seems to amaze me is that although we are all reading the same bible, the same words how we can have a difference of opinion on issues. I speak on my short comings also but there are issues that almost seem basic and that if we are in the word as we should be we would have the answers for already. You would think Christians woul have a consensus on issues like Tithing. Why do you all think is so difficult to have that consensus?
The tithes are for Levites, widows, strangers and fatherless referenced by Deuteronomy 26:12
A lot of ( if not all) churches dont want to follow this instruction because they want to use the money to do what they think is better ( wisdom of men).
Godbless u . God loveth a cheerful giver.
Please every true believer should tithe and give offering for this is a reasonable service and Gpdly instructions. Bless you.
Please every true believer should tithe and give offering for this is a reasonable service and Godly instructions. Bless you.
I’m adding to the scriptures you have mentioned. James 4:17- to him who knows to do good and he does not do it,to him it is sin.
Philippians, chapter 4 verses 10 through 20. Paul did have a need but did not like leveraging it. he was called to preach and others sought to support him. the farther away we get from this picture the more difficult it is to understand the idea of giving and receiving. Jesus did say that it is more blessed to give than to receive. I do admire your energy and enthusiasm for this subject.
2 Peter 2:2-3
If you still get this you can donate to charity if you agree. The other use in the new testiment was teachers to forgive their greed. Which of coarse was condemned. It is a use not a generosity so it may not apply.
1 Corinthians 9:14-15
“In the same way, the Lord ordered that those who preach the Good News should be supported by those who benefit from it. Yet I have never used any of these rights. And I am not writing this to suggest that I want to start now. In fact, I would rather die than lose my right to boast about preaching without charge.”
??1 Corinthians? ?9:14-15? ?NLT??