21 Bible Verses about Benevolence

"Give to him who asks, and from him who wants to borrow from you, do not turn away.

"If you want to be perfect," said Jesus, "go, sell your property, give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me."

"'For I was hungry, and you gave me food; I was thirsty, and you gave me drink; I was a stranger, and you took me in; "'I was naked, and you clothed me; I was sick, and you visited me; I was in prison, and you came to see me.' "Then shall the righteous answer him, saying. 'Master, when did we see you hungry and feed you; or thirsty and give you drink?read more.
"'When did we see you a stranger and take you in; or naked and clothe you? "'When did we see you sick or in prison, and come to see you?' "'In solemn truth I tell you,' the King will answer them, 'that inasmuch as you have done it unto one of the least of these, my brothers, you have done it unto me.' "Then he will say to those also at his left hand. 'Depart from me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; "for I was hungry, and you gave me no food; I was thirsty, and you gave me no drink; "I was a stranger, and you took me not in; naked, and you clothed me not; sick, or in prison, and you visited me not.' "Then will they also answer, 'Master, when did we ever see you hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister to you?' "But he will reply, 'In solemn truth I tell you that inasmuch as you did not do it unto one of these least, you did not do it unto me.'

For whoever gives you even a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ, in solemn truth I tell you, that he shall certainly not lose his reward.

"If you have two shirts share with him who has none; and let him who has food do the same."

"But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was, and when he saw him was moved with compassion. "He went to him bound up his wounds, pouring on them oil and wine. He set him on his own beast, and took him to an inn, and took care of him. "The next day he took two silver pieces and gave them to the landlord and said, "'Take care of him, and whatever more you spend I will repay it to you on my way back.'

"Better cleanse what is within, and nothing will be unclean for you.

But Zaccheus stood up and said to the Lord, "I give half my property to the poor, Lord, and if I have defrauded any man of anything I am restoring it to him fourfold."

And all the believers were together, and had all things in common. They would sell their lands and other property, and distribute the proceeds among all, just as any one from time had need. Day after day they continued stedfastly with one accord in the Temple; and breaking bread together in their own homes, they continued to eat their food with gladness and an undivided heart,

Now the multitude of the believers was of one heart and one soul, nor did any one of them say that any of his possessions was his own; but they had all things common. And the apostles continued with great power to give their witness concerning the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. Nor was there any one of them in want, for all who owned houses or lands would sell them and bring the price of the things that were sold, and lay it at the apostles' feet;read more.
and distribution would be made to each according to his need. In this way Joseph, whom the apostles called Barnabas ("Son of Encouragement" is what it means), who was a native Cyprus, sold a farm which he had, and brought the price, and laid it at the apostles' feet.

Now in these days while the number of the disciples was multiplying, the Grecian Jews began to murmur against the Hebrews, because their widows were habitually overlooked in the distribution of alms.

Among the disciples at Joppa was a woman named Tabitha??hich may be translated Dorcas or "Gazelle"?? woman whose life was full of good works and almsgiving, which she was doing continually. She, as it happened, was taken ill just at that time, and died. After washing her body, they laid it in an upper room. And as Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, when they heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him with the entreaty, "Delay not to come to us."read more.
So Peter arose and went with them. On his arrival they took him up-stairs, and all the widows stood near him, weeping, and showing him the cloaks and garments which Dorcas used to make, while she was still with them.

He was a devout man and God-fearing, and so were all his household. He gave many alms to the people, and constantly prayed to God.

He stared at him in terror, and said, "What is it, Lord?" "Your prayers and your alms have risen for a memorial before God," answered the angel;

So the disciples decided to send relief, every man according to his means, to the brothers in Judea.

For it has been the good pleasure of Macedonia and Achaia to make an offering for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem. Yes, it has been made their good pleasure, and their debt, too. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual riches, they owe it to them also to minister to them the Jews in worldly goods.

And though I sell all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it avails me nothing.

Now concerning the offering for the saints, you also are to do as I directed the church of Galatia. On the first day of each week let each of you put aside something, keeping it in store as he may prosper, so that when I come there may be no collections going on. On my arrival I will send those whom you may accredit by letter to carry your bounty to Jerusalem.

Now, brothers, I wish to tell you about the grace of God which has been manifest in the churches of Macedonia. For although in heavy trial of affliction, their overbrimming happiness, even in spite of their deep poverty, abounded to the opulence of their unselfishness. For I can testify that according to their ability, and even beyond their ability, of their own free will, too, they have given help.read more.
With earnest entreaty they craved of me the privilege of a share in ministering to the saints in Jerusalem. And this not as I had expected, but in accordance with the will of God, they first gave themselves to God and to me. With the result that I have been begging Titus that, as he had been the one to begin the work with you, so he should complete among you this grace also. Now then, as you excel in everything, in faith and utterance and knowledge and all zeal and in your love to me, see to it that you excel in this grace also. I do not say this by way of command, but by the zeal of others I am trying to prove the reality of your love. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, how though he was rich, for your sakes he became poor, that you through his poverty might become rich. And I will give you my opinion in this matter; for this offering is fitting in your case, considering that you made a beginning before others, not only in the willingness to do something but also in actually doing something a year ago. So now complete the doing of it also, in order that just as there was the readiness to will, so there may be the accomplishment according to your means. For if there be first willing mind, the gift is accepted according to what a man has, and not according to what he has not. Nor are other people to be relieved, and you to be distressed; but burdens are to be equalized. Now your abundance at this present time present time is a supply for their want, in supply for your want; and so burdens be equalized, even as it is written, He who gathered much had nothing over, and he who gathered little did not lack.

So show to the churches an evidence of your love, and a justification to these brothers of my boasting about you.

It is indeed unnecessary for me to write you in regard to the ministration to the saints at Jerusalem,