21 Bible Verses about Benevolence

give to him that asks you, and from him that would borrow of you turn not away.

Jesus said, if thou wilt be perfect, go sell your estate, give the value to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven: then come and follow me.

for I was prest with hunger, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye took care of me: I was in prison, and ye visited me. then will the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when did we see thee in hunger, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?read more.
when did we see thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? or when did we see thee sick, or in prison, and visited thee? and the king will reply, I declare unto you, your having done this for one of the least of these my brethren, is the same thing as doing it for me. then will he say to those on the left, depart from me ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels. for I was prest with hunger, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. then will they answer, Lord, when did we see thee in hunger, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? to this he will reply, I declare unto you, your not doing this for one of the least of these, is the same thing as not doing it for me.

and whoever he be that shall give you a cup of water, as being the disciples of Christ, I assure you, he shall not lose his reward.

he answer'd them, let him that hath two coats give one to him that hath none; and let him that has plenty of provisions act in like manner.

but a certain Samaritan being on the road, came where he was, and when he saw him, he took compassion on him, went up to him, dress'd his wounds by applying oil and wine, then set him upon his own mule, and brought him to an inn, where he took care of him. upon his departure the next day, he took out two denarii, and gave them to the master of the house, take care of him, said he, and I will repay you all the charges you are at, upon my return.

be but charitable to the utmost of your ability, and every thing will be pure to you.

but Zaccheus address'd himself to Jesus, and said, Lord, half my estate I give to the poor; and if I have wrong'd any man, I will give him four times the value.

All that believed were united together, and had all things in common, so that they sold their possessions and goods, and distributed the money to every one as his occasions required. and continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they did eat their meals with gladness, and simplicity of heart,

Now the whole body of believers were but one heart, and one soul: no one look'd upon what he possessed, as his own, but every thing was held in common. Great was the power by which the apostles attested the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and they were all greatly favoured by the people. for there was no poor among them, because as many as bad lands or houses, sold them, and brought the value,read more.
which they laid down at the apostles feet: and they distributed it to every man as his occasions required. among the rest one Joseph, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas (that is to say, the son of consolation) a Levite, and a native of Cyprus, sold an estate he had, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles feet.

At that time, as the number of the disciples was multiplied, the Hellenists murmured against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the distribution that was made daily.

At Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha, that is in Greek, Dorcas: this woman was very active in all the offices of benevolence and charity. she happen'd to fall sick at that time, and died: after they had bath'd her body, they laid her out in an upper chamber. as Lydda was near Joppa, and the disciples having heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him to desire he would come to them without delay.read more.
Peter immediately went with them, and when he was come, they conducted him to the upper chamber: and all the widows advanc'd to him weeping, and shew'd the robes and garments which Dorcas made while she was with them.

and was a proselyte, together with all his family: he gave much alms to the people, and was assiduous in his prayers to God.

and when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, what is it, Lord? and he said to him, thy prayers and thine alms have been observ'd and approv'd by God.

then the disciples determin'd to send, each of them answerably to his abilities, some relief to the brethren residing in Judea: which they actually perform'd,

for those of Macedonia and Achaia, have thought fit to make a contribution for the poor converts at Jerusalem. they have thought fit, I say, and they owed them as much. for if the Gentiles have participated of their spirituals, they are bound on their side to minister to them in their temporals.

and tho' I distribute my whole substance to the poor, and give my body to be burned, and have not social affection, it profits me nothing.

Now as to the collection for the converts at Jerusalem, do as I have directed for the churches of Galatia. every sabbath-day let every one of you set apart something of what he has happily gain'd, for the common treasury, that there may be no collection when I come. and when I come, I shall send such as you shall approve of, who will convey letters, and your kind present to Jerusalem.

I must acquaint you, brethren, with the contribution which the churches of Macedonia have religiously made, who tho' labouring under great trial of affliction, and extreme poverty, have notwithstanding with exceeding cheerfulness contributed very liberally: being forward of themselves to the utmost of their power, (I bear them witness) yea, and beyond their power:read more.
earnestly intreating me to take the gift, and the charge of conveying it to the converts at Jerusalem: and in this they out-did my expectation; such was the divine pleasure, they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then made me an offer to go themselves to Corinth. I therefore desired Titus, as he had begun, to finish this contribution among you. that as you excel in every thing, in faith, in language, mystical knowledge, in all virtue, and in your affection to us; I hope you will excel too in this charitable disposition. I don't mean to prescribe to you, but that the zeal of others may show you are as sincerely well-affected. for you are sensible of the beneficence of our Lord Jesus Christ; powerful as he was, for your sake he became poor, that you through his poverty might be made rich. in this I only advise you: it being for your credit, since you have not only begun to execute it, but you were the first that form'd the design a year ago. Pray then, dispatch this affair; as you readily undertook it, as readily perform it, to the best of your abilities. for what a man gives with a ready mind, according to his abilities, is well received; but not when he goes beyond his circumstances. my meaning is not, that you should be distress'd to relieve others, I only recommend an equality; that as your present sufficiency supplies their wants, their sufficiency may supply your occasions another way: and thus there will be an equality. as it is written, " he that had much, had nothing over, and he that had little, had no lack."

wherefore show how much you love them, and how well you deserve the character I gave you, before all the churches.

As to the relief of the converts, it is superfluous for me to write to you.