12 Bible Verses about Liberality

So we went on building the wall. The entire wall was joined together halfway up. The people were working hard.

Some of the heads of families gave money for the work. The Tirshatha gave to the store a thousand darics of gold, fifty basins, and five hundred and thirty priests' robes. Some of the heads of families gave to the store for the work twenty thousand darics of gold, and two thousand, two hundred pounds of silver. That which the rest of the people gave was twenty thousand darics of gold, and two thousand pounds of silver, and sixty-seven priests' robes.

And for the wood offering, at fixed times, and for the first fruits. Keep me in mind, O my God, for good.

Governor Zerubbabel and Joshua the High Priest and all the people who returned from the exile in Babylon did what Jehovah God told them to do. They were afraid and obeyed Jehovah's messenger, Haggai the prophet. Then Haggai gave Jehovah's message to the people: I am with you! Jehovah inspired everyone to work on the Temple. That included: Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah; Joshua, the High Priest, and all the people who had returned from the exile. They worked on the house of Jehovah of Hosts, their God.

The heads of the clans of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, the priests and Levites, and everyone else whose heart God had moved got ready to go and rebuild Jehovah's Temple in Jerusalem. Their neighbors helped by giving many things: silver utensils, gold, supplies, pack animals, other valuables, and offerings for the Temple.

David settled in his palace. He said to Nathan the prophet: Here I am, living in a palace of cedar, while the Ark of the Covenant of Jehovah is under a tent.

The king said to the prophet Nathan: I live in a house built of cedar. Yet the Ark of God is kept in a tent!

Shelomith and his relatives were in charge of all the treasuries for the things dedicated by King David, by the heads of families who were the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds, and by the other army commanders.

King David dedicated these articles to Jehovah, along with the silver and gold he dedicated from all the nations he conquered.

All the work King Solomon did on Jehovah's Temple was finished. He brought the holy things that belonged to his father David: the silver, gold, and utensils and put them in the storerooms of Jehovah's Temple.

She stretches out her hand to the poor. Yes, she reaches forth her hands to the needy.

Mary took a pound of very precious ointment of pure nard and anointed the feet of Jesus. She wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the odor of the ointment.

All the skilled women brought fine linen thread and thread of blue, purple, and red wool, which they made.

Peter went to them right a way. When he arrived they brought him into the upper chamber. All the widows stood by him weeping and showing the coats and garments that Dorcas made while she was with them.

Traveling with him were the women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities. This included Mary Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out. Also healed was Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod's steward, and Susanna. There were many others, who supported them out of their private substance.

Give that which is within as charity. Then all things are clean for you.

In all things I gave you an example. You by laboring should help the weak. Remember the words of the Lord Jesus: It is more blessed to give than to receive.

He answered: He who has two coats let him give to him who has none. He who has food let him do likewise.

Now concerning the collection for the holy ones, you should do the same as I told the congregations of Galatia.

Command those who are rich in this present system not to be high-minded (arrogant), not to have their hope set on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. They should do good works and be rich in good works, that they are ready to distribute, willing to communicate.

He gives freely to poor. His righteousness continues forever. His head is raised in honor.

The liberal person will prosper. He who waters will be watered.

He who gives to the poor will not lack. But he who hides his eyes will have many curses.

Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days. Give a portion to seven, and even to eight. You do not know what calamity will be upon the earth.

The disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brothers in Judea.

There was no needy person among them for as many as possessed land or houses sold them, and brought the money from the things that were sold. They gave it to the apostles. Distribution was made to every man according as he had need.

Out of severe affliction they have an abundance of joy and their deep poverty abounds in the riches of their generosity.

While I was in Thessalonica you provided for my needs twice.

Every man shall give, as he is able; according to the blessing Jehovah your God has given you.

On one day of the week let every one of you set something aside, as God has prospered you, that there be no contributions collected when I come. (Greek: heis, number one)

Then celebrate the Festival of Weeks to Jehovah your God. Bring a freewill offering in proportion to the blessings Jehovah your God has given you.

Every one, as he was able, gave for the work sixty-one thousand drachmas of gold, five thousand pounds of silver and a hundred priests' robes.

Zacchaeus stood before Jesus and said: Lord, I now give half of all my possessions to the poor. If I have defrauded any one I will give back four times the amount taken.

Their neighbors helped by giving many things: silver utensils, gold, supplies, pack animals, other valuables, and offerings for the Temple.

I gave to them by weight the silver and the gold and the vessels, all the offering for the house of our God that the king and his wise men and his captains and all Israel there present had given:

Some of the heads of families gave money for the work. The Tirshatha gave to the store a thousand darics of gold, fifty basins, and five hundred and thirty priests' robes.

The whole congregation of the children of Israel assembled together at Shiloh. They set up the tabernacle of the congregation there. The land was subdued before them.

He made the laver (basin) of copper with its base of copper, from the mirrors of the serving women who served at the doorway of the tent of meeting.

Those who were willing and whose hearts moved them brought their contributions to Jehovah. The gifts were used to construct the tent of meeting, to pay other expenses, and to make the holy clothes. All willing, men and women alike, brought all kinds of gold jewelry: pins, brooches, earrings, signet rings, and pendants. They offered these gifts of gold to Jehovah. Those who had violet, purple, or bright red yarn, fine linen, goats' hair, rams' skins dyed red, or fine leather brought them. read more.
Those who could give silver or copper brought it as their contribution to Jehovah. Those who had acacia wood that could be used in the construction brought it. All the skilled women brought fine linen thread and thread of blue, purple, and red wool, which they made. They also made thread of goats' hair. The leaders brought different kinds of jewels to be sewn on the special clothes and the breast piece for the high priest. And the spice and the oil for the light, and the holy (anointing) oil and the sweet perfume (balsam oil). The people of Israel, every man and woman whose hearts were willing, gave their offerings freely to Jehovah. This was for the work that Jehovah gave Moses orders to have done.

Moses provided them with all the contributions the Israelites brought for the work of constructing the holy place. Plus, the people still kept bringing him (voluntary) freewill offerings every morning. Then the skilled men who were doing the work went to Moses. They said: The people are bringing more than is needed for the work Jehovah commanded to be done. read more.
Moses sent a command throughout the camp, saying: No one is to make any further contribution for the sacred Tent. So the people did not bring any more. What had already been brought was sufficient to finish all the work.

Then the officers who were over the thousands of the army, the captains of thousands and the captains of hundreds, approached Moses. They said to Moses: Your servants have taken a census of men of war who are in our charge, and no man of us is missing. So we brought as an offering to Jehovah what each man found, articles of gold, armlets and ankle bracelets, signet rings, earrings and necklaces, to make atonement for ourselves before Jehovah. read more.
Moses and Eleazar the priest took the gold from them, all kinds of molded articles. All the gold of the offering they gave to Jehovah, from the captains of thousands and the captains of hundreds, was sixteen thousand seven hundred and fifty shekels. Each of the men of war had taken booty. So Moses and Eleazar the priest took the gold from the captains of thousands and of hundreds, and brought it to the tent of meeting as a memorial for the Israelites before Jehovah.

All the work King Solomon did on Jehovah's Temple was finished. He brought the holy things that belonged to his father David: the silver, gold, and utensils and put them in the storerooms of Jehovah's Temple.

God gave Solomon great wisdom and insight, and knowledge too great to be measured.

Jehovah my God has given me peace on all my borders. I have no enemies, and there is no danger of attack. Jehovah promised my father David: 'Your son, whom I will make king after you, will build a Temple for me. I have decided to build that Temple for the worship of Jehovah my God.'

Solomon gave orders to begin building the Temple for Jehovah's name and a royal palace for himself. He drafted seventy thousand men to carry heavy loads, eighty thousand to quarry stones in the mountains, and three thousand six hundred foremen. Solomon sent a message to King Hiram of Tyre: Do business with me as you did with my father, King David, when you sold him cedar logs for building his palace. read more.
I am building a Temple to honor Jehovah my God. It will be a holy place where my people and I will worship him by burning incense of fragrant spices. We will present offerings of sacred bread to him continuously, and we will offer burnt offerings every morning and evening, as well as on Sabbaths, New Moon Festivals, and other holy days honoring Jehovah our God. He has commanded Israel to do this from generation to generation. I am determined to build a great Temple. This is because our God is greater than all other gods. No one can really build a Temple for God. This is because even all the vastness of heaven cannot contain him. How then can I build a Temple that would be anything more than a place to burn incense to God?

Now I have built a majestic temple for you, a place for you to live in for a very long time.

But as you have plenty of everything, in faith, and speech, and knowledge, and in all earnestness, and in your love for us, see that you have plenty of this undeserved kindness also.

You will be made rich in everything. And you can be generous on every occasion. This will cause thanksgiving to God through us. This service not only takes care of the needs of the holy ones, but also abounds with many expressions of thanksgiving to God. The proof of this ministry is that they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the good news of Christ, and for your liberal sharing with them and all men.

He who has a bountiful eye will be blessed for he gives of his bread to the poor.

In all things I gave you an example. You by laboring should help the weak. Remember the words of the Lord Jesus: It is more blessed to give than to receive.

([Psalm of David]) Blessed (happy) is the one who has concern for helpless people. Jehovah will rescue (save) him in times of trouble.

They gave money to the stoneworkers and woodworkers. Meat and drink and oil were given to the people of Zidon and of Tyre, for the transport of cedar-trees from Lebanon to the sea, to Joppa, as Cyrus, king of Persia, had given them authority to do.

In the first year of Cyrus the king, Cyrus the king made an order: In connection with the house of God at Jerusalem, let the house be constructed as the place where they make offerings. Let them brake ground for the foundation. Let it be 90 feet high and 90 feet wide,

These are the words of Cyrus, king of Persia: 'Jehovah the God of heaven has given me all the kingdoms of the earth. He has made me responsible for building a house for him in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. May your God be with you and let you go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah. There you are to build the house of Jehovah the God of Israel. He is the God who is in Jerusalem. If any of his people in exile need help to return, their neighbors should give them help. They are to provide them with silver and gold, supplies and pack animals, as well as offerings to present in the Temple of God in Jerusalem.'

King Cyrus gave back the bowls and cups that King Nebuchadnezzar took from the Temple in Jerusalem and put in the temple of his god. And King Cyrus turned them over to Mithredath, chief of the royal treasury, who made an inventory of them for Sheshbazzar, the governor of Judah, Now this was their inventory: 30 gold dishes, 1,000 silver dishes and 29 duplicates. read more.
There were also 30 gold bowls, 410 matching silver bowls and 1,000 other articles. All the articles of gold and silver numbered 5,400. Sheshbazzar brought all of them along with the exiles who traveled from Babylon to Jerusalem.

In the first year of Cyrus, king of Babylon, Cyrus the king gave an order for the building of this house of God. The gold and silver vessels of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took from the Temple in Jerusalem, were put into the house of his god in Babylon. Cyrus the king took these from the house of his god in Babylon, and gave them to Sheshbazzar, whom he had made ruler.' He said to him: Go, take these vessels, and put them in the Temple in Jerusalem. Let the house of God be constructed again in its place.

Josiah celebrated the Passover to Jehovah in Jerusalem. The Passover lamb was slaughtered on the fourteenth day of the first month. Josiah appointed the priests to their duties and encouraged them to serve in Jehovah's Temple. He told the Levites, who instructed all Israel and performed ceremonies to make themselves holy to Jehovah: Put the Holy Ark in the Temple that Solomon, son of David and king of Israel, built. It should not be carried on your shoulders any longer. Serve Jehovah your God and his people Israel. read more.
Get yourselves ready with the family groups of your divisions, which are listed in the records of King David of Israel and the records of his son Solomon. Divide yourselves into groups. Then spread out throughout the Temple so that each family of worshipers will be able to get help from one of you. When the people bring you their Passover lamb, you must slaughter it and prepare it to be sacrificed to Jehovah. Make sure the people celebrate according to the instructions Jehovah gave Moses. Do not do anything to become unclean and unacceptable. Josiah donated thirty thousand sheep and goats, and three thousand bulls from his own flocks and herds for the people to offer as sacrifices. Josiah's officials also voluntarily gave some of their animals to the people, the priests, and the Levites as sacrifices. Hilkiah, Zechariah, and Jehiel, who were the officials in charge of the Temple, gave the priests twenty-six hundred sheep and lambs and three hundred bulls to sacrifice during the Passover celebration. Conaniah and his brothers Shemaiah and Nethanel, and Hashabiah, Jeiel, and Jozabad, the leaders of the Levites, gave the Levites five thousand sheep and goats and five hundred bulls as Passover sacrifices. Thus the service was prepared. The priests took their positions with the Levites according to their divisions, as the king had ordered. They slaughtered the Passover lambs. The priests sprinkled the blood with their hands while the Levites skinned the lambs. They set aside the burnt offerings to give them to the people according to their family divisions. The people could then present them to Jehovah as is written in the Book of Moses. The Levites did the same with the bulls. The Levites roasted the Passover sacrifices over the fire, according to the regulations. They boiled the sacred offerings in pots, kettles, and pans, and quickly distributed the meat to the people. After this was done, the Levites provided meat for themselves and for the priests descended from Aaron. Since the priests were kept busy until night, burning the animals that were burned whole and the fat of the sacrifices. The following musicians of the Levite clan of Asaph were in the places assigned to them by King David's instructions: Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun, the king's prophet. The guards at the Temple gates did not need to leave their posts, because the other Levites prepared the Passover for them. Everything was done that day as King Josiah commanded for the worship of Jehovah. This included the keeping of the Passover Festival, and the offering of burnt offerings on the altar. All the people of Israel who were present celebrated the Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread for seven days. The Passover had not been celebrated like this since the days of the prophet Samuel. None of the former kings had ever celebrated a Passover like this one celebrated by King Josiah, the priests, the Levites, and the people of Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem This was the eighteenth year of Josiah's reign.

Now in the eighteenth year after he became king, Josiah sent Shaphan son of Azaliah son of Meshullam the scribe, to the Temple of Jehovah. He said to him: Go to Hilkiah the high priest. Let him count the money brought into the Temple of Jehovah that the keepers of the door gathered from the people. Let them deliver it to the workmen who have oversight of the work of Jehovah's Temple. Then they can pay it to the workmen who are making good what was damaged in the Temple of Jehovah. read more.
To the woodworkers and the builders and the stonecutters; and for getting wood and cut stones for building the Temple.

In his eighteenth year as king as he was making the land and the temple clean, Josiah sent Shaphan, son of Azaliah, Maaseiah, the mayor of the city, and Joah, the royal historian and son of Joahaz, to repair the Temple of Jehovah his God. They came to the chief priest Hilkiah and gave him the money that had been brought into God's Temple. It was the money that the Levite doorkeepers had collected from the tribes of Manasseh and Ephraim, from all who were left in Israel, from everyone in the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, and from the inhabitants of Jerusalem. They gave the money to the foremen who were in charge of Jehovah's Temple. These foremen gave it to the workmen who were restoring and repairing the Temple. read more.
These workers included carpenters and builders. They were to buy quarried stones and wood for the fittings and beams of the buildings that the kings of Judah had allowed to become run-down. The men did their work faithfully under the supervision of Jahath and Obadiah; Levites descended from Merari, and Zechariah and Meshullam descendants of Kohath. The Levites, who were skilled musicians, also supervised the workers and directed all the workmen on the various jobs. Some of the Levites served as scribes, officials, or gatekeepers.

Do not forget (neglect) to do good and to communicate (fellowship) (share), for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

Let each man do according as he has purposed in his heart: not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loves a cheerful giver.

For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a man has, not according to what he does not have.

Tell the Israelites to choose something to give me as a special contribution. You must accept whatever contribution each person freely gives.

Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into the house? When you see the naked, should you cover him and not hide yourself from your own flesh?

There will always be some Israelites who are poor and needy. That is why I am commanding you to be generous with them.

Contribute to the needs of the holy ones and practice hospitality.

So then, as we have opportunity, let us work that which is good toward all men, and especially toward those who are of the household of the faith.

Hezekiah incorporated Moses' teachings and commands into worship and dedicated his life to serving God. Whatever he did for the worship in God's Temple, he did wholeheartedly, and he succeeded.

Hezekiah sent a message to all Israel and Judah. He wrote letters to the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh. He invited them to come to Jehovah's Temple in Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover of Jehovah the God of Israel. The king, his officials, and the whole assembly in Jerusalem decided to celebrate the Passover in the second month. They could not celebrate it at the regular time because not enough priests had performed the ceremonies to make themselves holy and the people had not gathered in Jerusalem. read more.
The king and the entire assembly considered their plan to be the right thing to do. They decided to send an announcement throughout Israel from Beersheba to Dan. They summoned everyone to come to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover of Jehovah God of Israel. These people had not celebrated it in large numbers as the written instructions said they should. Messengers carried letters from the king and his officials throughout Israel and Judah. The king's order said: Israelites should return to Jehovah the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel. Then he will return to the few of you who escaped from the power of the kings of Assyria. Do not be like your ancestors and your relatives who were unfaithful to Jehovah the God of their ancestors. He made them something that shocks people, as you have seen. Do not stiffen your neck like your fathers, but yield to Jehovah and enter his sanctuary that he has consecrated from generation to generation. Serve Jehovah your God that His burning anger may turn away from you. If you return to Jehovah, your brothers and your sons will find compassion before those who led them captive and will return to this land. Jehovah your God is gracious and compassionate. He will not turn his face away from you if you return to him. So the couriers passed from city to city through the country of Ephraim and Manasseh, and as far as Zebulun, but they laughed them to scorn and mocked them. Nevertheless some men of Asher, Manasseh and Zebulun humbled themselves and came to Jerusalem. The hand of God was also on Judah to give them one heart to do what the king and the princes commanded by the word of Jehovah.

When this ended, all Israel who were present went out to the cities of Judah, broke the pillars in pieces, cut down the Asherim and pulled down the high places and the altars throughout all Judah and Benjamin, Ephraim and Manasseh. They destroyed them all. Then all the sons of Israel returned to their cities, each to his possession. Hezekiah assigned the priests and the Levites to divisions. Each priest or Levite was put in a division based on the service he performed. The services included: sacrificing burnt offerings, sacrificing fellowship offerings, serving, giving thanks, or praising within the gates of Jehovah's camp. He set aside part of the king's property for burnt offerings, the morning and evening offerings, burnt offerings on the weekly worship days, the New Moon Festivals, and the annual festivals, as it is written in Jehovah's Law. read more.
He told the people living in Jerusalem to give the priests and Levites the portions they were due so that they could devote themselves to Jehovah's Law. As soon as the order was given, the people of Israel brought gifts of their finest grain, wine, olive oil, honey, and other farm produce, and they also brought the tithes of everything they had. All the people who lived in the cities of Judah brought tithes of their cattle and sheep. They also brought large quantities of gifts they dedicated to Jehovah their God. The gifts started arriving in the third month. They continued to pile up for the next four months. King Hezekiah and his officials saw how much had been given. They praised Jehovah and praised his people Israel. The king spoke to the priests and the Levites about these gifts, and Azariah the High Priest, a descendant of Zadok, said to him: Since the people started bringing their gifts to the temple, there has been enough to eat and a large surplus besides. We have all this because Jehovah has blessed his people.

You, your sons, and your servants will farm the land for your master Saul's family and bring in the harvest. This will provide food for them. Mephibosheth will always be a guest at my table. Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.

David replied: Do not be afraid. I will be kind to you for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will give you back all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul. You will always be welcome at my table.

In all things I gave you an example. You by laboring should help the weak. Remember the words of the Lord Jesus: It is more blessed to give than to receive.

He that steals must steal no more. Let him labor, working with his hands the thing that is good, that he may have something to give to someone in need.

Let us build a small room on the roof, and put a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp in it. He can stay there when he visits us.

Elisha went to Shunem, where a rich woman lived. She invited him to a meal. From that time on every time he went to Shunem he would have his meals at her house.

Joash wanted to renovate Jehovah's Temple. He gathered the priests and the Levites and said to them: Go to the cities of Judah, and collect money throughout Israel to repair the Temple of your God every year. Do it immediately! But the Levites did not do it immediately. The king called for the chief priest Jehoiada and asked him: Why have you not required the Levites to bring the contributions from Judah and Jerusalem? Jehovah's servant Moses and the assembly required Israel to give contributions for the use of the Tent of Testimony of God's promise. read more.
The sons of that wicked woman Athaliah had broken into God's Temple and used all the holy things of Jehovah's Temple to worship other gods, the Baals. The king issued an order. They made a box and placed it outside the gate of Jehovah's Temple. They issued a proclamation in Judah and Jerusalem that the contributions should be brought to Jehovah. Moses required Israel to make contributions while they were in the desert. All the officials and all the people were filled with joy. They brought money and dropped it into the box until it was full. When the Levites brought the box to the king's officers and they saw a lot of money. The king's scribe and the chief priest's officer would empty the box and put it back in its place. They would do this every day. They collected a lot of money. The king and Jehoiada gave the money to the foremen who were working on Jehovah's Temple. They hired masons and carpenters to renovate Jehovah's Temple. They also hired men who worked with iron and bronze to repair Jehovah's Temple. The men worked and the project progressed under the foremen's guidance. They restored God's Temple to its proper condition and reinforced it. When the repairs were finished, the remaining gold and silver was given to the king and Jehoiada. They used it to have bowls and other utensils made for the Temple. As long as Jehoiada was alive, sacrifices were offered regularly at the Temple.

Jehoash said to the priests: All the money of the holy things, which comes into the house of Jehovah, the amount fixed for every man's payment, and all the money given by any man freely by motivation of his heart, Let the priests take, every man from his friends and neighbors, to make good what is damaged in the Temple, wherever it is to be seen. But in the twenty-third year of King Jehoash, the priests had not made good the damaged parts of the Temple. read more.
He called in Jehoiada and the other priests and asked them: Why are you not repairing the Temple? From now on you are not to keep the money you receive. You must hand it over, so that the repairs can be made. The priests agreed to this and also agreed not to make the repairs in the Temple. Then Jehoiada took a box, made a hole in the lid, and placed the box by the altar, on the right side as one enters the Temple. The priests on duty at the entrance put in the box all the money given by the worshipers. Whenever there was a large amount of money in the box, the royal secretary and the High Priest would come, melt down the silver, and weigh it. After recording the exact amount, they would hand the silver over to the men in charge of the work in the Temple. These would pay the carpenters, the builders, the masons, and the stonecutters, buy the timber and the stones used in the repairs, and pay all other necessary expenses. None of the money was used to pay for making silver cups, bowls, trumpets, or tools for tending the lamps, or any other article of silver or of gold. It was all used to pay the workers and to buy the materials used in the repairs.

He gives freely to poor. His righteousness continues forever. His head is raised in honor.

But the noble man devises noble plans. He stands firm for what is honorable.

All the officials and all the people were filled with joy. They brought money and dropped it into the box until it was full. When the Levites brought the box to the king's officers and they saw a lot of money. The king's scribe and the chief priest's officer would empty the box and put it back in its place. They would do this every day. They collected a lot of money.

If you buy Israelites (your own brothers) as slaves, you must set them free after six years. Do not send him away empty handed when you set him free. Supply him liberally from your flock and from your threshing floor and from your wine vat. Give to him as Jehovah your God has blessed you.

It is my order that all the people of Israel, including their priests and Levites in my kingdom, who are ready and have a desire to go to Jerusalem, are to go with you. The king and his seven wise men send you to get knowledge about Judah and Jerusalem. The Law of your God orders you. You are to take with you the silver and gold freely offered by the king and his wise men to the God of Israel, who's Temple is in Jerusalem, read more.
As well as all the silver and gold which you get from the land of Babylon, together with the offering of the people and of the priests, freely given for the house of their God in Jerusalem. Use this money to buy bulls, sheep, and lambs, with their meal offerings and their drink offerings, to be offered on the altar of the house of your God, which is in Jerusalem. Whatever seems right to you and to your brothers to do with the rest of the silver and gold, that do, as may be pleasing to your God. The vessels that have been given to you for the uses of the house of your God, you are to give to the God of Jerusalem. Whatever is needed for the house of your God, and which you may have to give, take it from the king's storehouse. And I, even I, Artaxerxes the king, now give orders to all keepers of the king's money across the river, that whatever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, may have need of from you, is to be done with all care, Up to a hundred talents of silver, a hundred measures of grain, a hundred measures of wine, and a hundred measures of oil, and salt without measure. Whatever the God of heaven orders let it be done completely for the house of the God of heaven. Let there not be wrath against the kingdom of the king and his sons. In addition, we make it clear to you, that it will be against the law to put any tax or payment in goods or forced payment on any of the priests or Levites, the music-makers, doorkeepers, Nethinim, or any servants of this house of God. And you, Ezra, by the wisdom of your God which is in you, are to put rulers and judges to have authority over all the people across the river who have knowledge of the laws of your God. You are to teach any who have no knowledge of them. If anyone does not keep the law of your God and the law of the king, take care that punishment is given to him. This is by death or by driving him from his country or by taking away his goods or by putting him in prison. Praise be to Jehovah, the God of our fathers, who has put such a thing into the heart of the king, to make fair the house of Jehovah that is in Jerusalem.

I put on one side twelve of the chiefs of the priests, Sherebiah, Hashabiah, and ten of their brothers with them, I gave to them by weight the silver and the gold and the vessels, all the offering for the house of our God that the king and his wise men and his captains and all Israel there present had given: Measuring into their hands six hundred and fifty talents of silver, and silver vessels, a hundred talents' weight, and a hundred talents of gold, read more.
And twenty gold basins, of a thousand darics, and two vessels of the best bright brass, equal in value to gold. I said to them: You are holy to Jehovah and the vessels are holy. The silver and the gold are an offering freely given to Jehovah, the God of your fathers. Take care of them and keep them, till you put them on the scales before the chiefs of the priests and the Levites and the chiefs of the families of Israel, in Jerusalem, in the rooms of the house of Jehovah. So the priests and the Levites took the weight of silver and gold and the vessels, to take them to Jerusalem into the house of our God. Then we went away from the river of Ahava on the twelfth day of the first month, to go to Jerusalem. The hand of our God was on us. He gave us salvation from our enemies and those who were waiting to attack us on the way. We went to Jerusalem and were there for three days. On the fourth day, the silver and the gold and the vessels were measured out by weight in the house of our God into the hands of Meremoth, the son of Uriah, the priest; and with him was Eleazar, the son of Phinehas; and with them were Jozabad, the son of Jeshua, and Obadiah, the son of Binnui, the Levites. All was handed over by number and by weight: and the weight was put on record at that time. Those who had been prisoners, who had come back from a strange land, made burned offerings to the God of Israel, twelve oxen for all Israel, ninety-six male sheep, seventy-seven lambs, twelve he-goats for a sin-offering: all this was a burned offering to Jehovah. They gave the king's orders to the king's captains and the rulers across the river. They gave the people and the house of God the help that was needed.

We make known to you brothers the grace of God that has been given to the congregations of Macedonia. Out of severe affliction they have an abundance of joy and their deep poverty abounds in the riches of their generosity. For according to their ability, I bear witness, yes and beyond their power, they gave of their own accord. read more.
They were very urgent in their concern for this grace and the fellowship in the ministering to the holy ones. This is not as we hoped. First they gave their own selves to the Lord, and to us by the will of God.

You did well that you share with me in my affliction. You also know, you Philippians, that in the beginning of the good news, when I departed from Macedonia, no other congregation shared their money with me. Only you shared with me. While I was in Thessalonica you provided for my needs twice.

David went to the town of Mahanaim. Shobi son of Nahash came from Rabbah in Ammon, Machir son of Ammiel came from Lo-Debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite came from Rogelim. Here is a list of what they brought: sleeping mats, blankets, bowls, pottery jars, wheat, barley, flour, roasted grain, beans, lentils, Also honey, yogurt, sheep, and cheese. They brought food for David and the others because they knew that everyone would be hungry, tired, and thirsty from being out in the desert.

Barzillai was a very old man. He was eighty years old. He was very rich. He supplied the king with food while he was staying at Mahanaim.

All those who believed stayed together. They held all things in common. They sold their possessions and goods, and distributed them to all men, as every man had need.

The congregation that believed was of one heart and mind. No one claimed his or her own possessions for everything was common property. The apostles witnessed about the resurrection of the Lord Jesus with great power. Grace (God's loving kindness) was upon them all. There was no needy person among them for as many as possessed land or houses sold them, and brought the money from the things that were sold. read more.
They gave it to the apostles. Distribution was made to every man according as he had need. Joses, who was surnamed Barnabas by the apostles, (this meaning: The son of consolation,) was a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus. He sold his land and brought the money to the apostles.

I am glad of the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus. For they have supplied what was lacking on your part.

Over and above all this that I have provided, I have given silver and gold from my personal property because of my love for God's Temple. I have given one hundred and fifteen tons of the finest gold and two hundred and sixty five tons of pure silver for decorating the walls of the Temple

And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

All the officials and all the people were filled with joy. They brought money and dropped it into the box until it was full.

I know you are ready and I boast about to the Macedonians. That Achaia has been prepared since last year. Your zeal stirred up many of them.

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that you through his poverty might become rich.

because for the work of Christ he came near to death, risking his life to supply that which was lacking in your service toward me.

Then the heads of the clans, the officials of the tribes, the commanders of the army, and the administrators of the royal property volunteered to give. They gave the following for the work on the Temple: one hundred and ninety tons of gold, three hundred and eighty tons of silver, six hundred and seventy five tons of bronze, and three thousand seven hundred and fifty tons of iron. Those who had precious stones gave them to the Temple treasury, which was administered by Jehiel of the Levite clan of Gershon. read more.
The people gave willingly to Jehovah and were happy that so much had been given. King David also was extremely happy.

O Jehovah, our God, we have brought together all this wealth to build a Temple to honor your holy name. It all came from you and all belongs to you. I well know, O my God, that you test everyone's heart and are pleased with people of integrity. In honesty and sincerity I have willingly given all this to you. I have seen how your people who are gathered here have been happy to bring offerings to you.

and not only so, but who was also appointed by the congregations to travel with us in the matter of this grace, which is ministered by us to the glory of the Lord, and to show our readiness.

I do not need to write you about the ministry to the holy ones. I know you are ready and I boast about to the Macedonians. That Achaia has been prepared since last year. Your zeal stirred up many of them. But I have sent the brothers that our boasting about you may not be made void in this respect. Even as I said, you may be prepared: read more.
Lest by any means, if any from Macedonia come with me and find you unprepared, we, not to speak of you, should be put to shame in this respect. I thought it necessary therefore to request the brothers to go before me to you, and prepare your generous gift before hand, that the same might be ready as a gift and not extortion. He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly. He who sows bountifully will reap bountifully. Let each man do according as he has purposed in his heart: not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loves a cheerful giver. God is able to make all grace abound toward you. You have plenty of everything you need and should abound in every good work. As it is written: He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor. His righteousness abides forever. The one who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing, and increase the fruits of your righteousness. You will be made rich in everything. And you can be generous on every occasion. This will cause thanksgiving to God through us. This service not only takes care of the needs of the holy ones, but also abounds with many expressions of thanksgiving to God. The proof of this ministry is that they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the good news of Christ, and for your liberal sharing with them and all men.

Some of the heads of families gave to the store for the work twenty thousand darics of gold, and two thousand, two hundred pounds of silver. That which the rest of the people gave was twenty thousand darics of gold, and two thousand pounds of silver, and sixty-seven priests' robes.

If an Israelite becomes poor and cannot support himself, you should help him. He must live with you as a stranger without a permanent home.

Those who were willing and whose hearts moved them brought their contributions to Jehovah. The gifts were used to construct the tent of meeting, to pay other expenses, and to make the holy clothes. All willing, men and women alike, brought all kinds of gold jewelry: pins, brooches, earrings, signet rings, and pendants. They offered these gifts of gold to Jehovah. Those who had violet, purple, or bright red yarn, fine linen, goats' hair, rams' skins dyed red, or fine leather brought them. read more.
Those who could give silver or copper brought it as their contribution to Jehovah. Those who had acacia wood that could be used in the construction brought it. All the skilled women brought fine linen thread and thread of blue, purple, and red wool, which they made. They also made thread of goats' hair. The leaders brought different kinds of jewels to be sewn on the special clothes and the breast piece for the high priest. And the spice and the oil for the light, and the holy (anointing) oil and the sweet perfume (balsam oil). The people of Israel, every man and woman whose hearts were willing, gave their offerings freely to Jehovah. This was for the work that Jehovah gave Moses orders to have done.

Today, I am removing the chains from your hands. If you would like to come with me to Babylon, come, and I will look after you. But if you do not want to come with me to Babylon, do not come. The whole land is yours. Go wherever you want. If you wish to remain, then go back to Gedaliah, son of Ahikam and grandson of Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon appointed to govern the cities of Judah. Live among the people with him, or go anywhere you want. The captain of the guard gave Jeremiah some food and a present and let him go.

So then, as we have opportunity, let us work that which is good toward all men, and especially toward those who are of the household of the faith.

If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat. If he is thirsty, give him water to drink.

Here is a list of what they brought: sleeping mats, blankets, bowls, pottery jars, wheat, barley, flour, roasted grain, beans, lentils,

He who gives to the poor will not lack. But he who hides his eyes will have many curses.

A poor widow came along and dropped in two mites. He told his disciples: Truly I tell you this poor widow gave more then all the others who gave to the collection box. They all gave out of their surplus. She gave out of her poverty. She gave all that she owned, all her living.

Be careful! Do not display your righteousness (good works) before men to be noticed by them. If you do, you will have no reward with your heavenly Father. Do not loudly announce it when you give to the poor. The hypocrites do this in the houses of worship and on the streets. They do this to be praised by men. Believe me, they have already been paid in full. When you give gifts, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.

The disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brothers in Judea. They sent it to the elders through Barnabas and Saul.

Some of the heads of families gave money for the work. The Tirshatha gave to the store a thousand darics of gold, fifty basins, and five hundred and thirty priests' robes.

What good is it, my brothers, if a man says he has faith but he does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is without clothes and in lack of daily food, and one of you says to them: Go in peace, be warmed and filled; and yet you do not give them food and clothing, what good is it?

Joses, who was surnamed Barnabas by the apostles, (this meaning: The son of consolation,) was a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus. He sold his land and brought the money to the apostles.

Give to those who ask. Lend to those who borrow.

Araunah said: Take what you want and offer your sacrifice. Here are some cattle for the sacrifice. You can use the threshing-boards and the wooden yokes for the fire. Araunah gave this to the king and said: May Jehovah your God accept you.

Meanwhile, Joab fought against the Ammonite city of Rabbah and captured its royal fortress. He sent messengers to tell David: I fought against Rabbah and captured the fortress guarding its water supply. Assemble the rest of the troops. Surround the city and capture it. Otherwise I will capture the city. Then it will be named after me.

No! We did it because we were afraid that in the future your descendants would say to ours: What do you have to do with Jehovah, the God of Israel? He made the Jordan a boundary between the people of Reuben and Gad and us. You have nothing to do with Jehovah. Then your descendants might make our descendants stop worshiping Jehovah. We did not built an altar to burn sacrifices or make offerings, read more.
but instead, as a sign for our people and yours, and for the generations after us, that we do indeed worship Jehovah. We do this before his sacred Tabernacle with our offerings to be burned and with sacrifices and fellowship offerings. This was to keep your descendants from saying that ours have nothing to do with Jehovah. We thought that if this should ever happen, our descendants could say: 'You see our ancestors made an altar just like Jehovah's altar. It was not for burning offerings or for sacrifice, but as a sign for our people and yours.' We would certainly not rebel against Jehovah or stop following him now by building an altar to burn offerings on or for grain offerings or sacrifices. We would not build any other altar than the altar of Jehovah our God that stands in front of the Tabernacle of his presence.

Some of the plunder taken in battle they dedicated for the repair of the Temple of Jehovah. And everything dedicated by Samuel the seer and by Saul son of Kish, Abner son of Ner and Joab son of Zeruiah, and all the other dedicated things were in the care of Shelomith and his relatives.

I was eyes to the blind, and feet to the lame. I was a father to the needy! I championed the cause of the stranger.

For God is not unrighteous (unjust) to forget your work and the love you showed for his name. You ministered to the holy ones and continue to minister.

All willing, men and women alike, brought all kinds of gold jewelry: pins, brooches, earrings, signet rings, and pendants. They offered these gifts of gold to Jehovah.

or he who exhorts; on exhortation; he who gives let him do it with liberality; he who rules, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

to Moses. They said: The people are bringing more than is needed for the work Jehovah commanded to be done.

Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into the house? When you see the naked, should you cover him and not hide yourself from your own flesh?

Have them get their father and their families and come back here. I will give them the best of the land in Egypt. They will have more than enough to live on. Tell them to take wagons with them from Egypt to bring their wives and small children and to bring their father with them. They should not worry about leaving their possessions behind. The best in the whole land of Egypt will be theirs.

Then a Samaritan arrived where he was. He was moved with compassion when he saw him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds pouring oil and wine on them. He set him on his own beast and brought him to an inn to take care of him. The next day he paid the host two shillings. He said take care of him and if you spend more I will repay you when I return.

The leaders of Israel, the heads of the households, those tribal leaders who helped in the census came to give their offerings.

Whoever has this world's goods and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his compassion from him, how does the love of God dwell in him?

They brought these gifts to Jehovah: six freight wagons and twelve oxen, one wagon from every two leaders and one ox from each leader. They brought them in front of the tent.

He saw rich men putting their gifts into the treasury. Then he saw a poor widow putting in two small coins. I tell you a truth, he said: This poor widow gave more than all of them. read more.
They all gave out of their surplus but she gave out of her poverty. She gave all that she had for living expenses.

to Moses. They said: The people are bringing more than is needed for the work Jehovah commanded to be done.

When she and her household were baptized she came to us saying, If you judge me to be faithful to God, come to my house, and stay there. She absolutely insisted that we come.

Sell your possessions and give to charity. Make yourselves purses that do not get old, a treasure in heaven where moth and rest cannot corrupt and thieves cannot steal.

Let the work of this house of God continue. Let the ruler of the Jews and their responsible men construct this house of God in its place. Further, I give orders as to what you are to do for the responsible men of the Jews in connection with the building of this house of God: That from the king's wealth, that is, from the taxes got together in the land over the river, the money needed is to be given to these men readily, so that their work may not be stopped. When they need young bulls and sheep and lambs, for burned offerings to the God of heaven and grain, salt, wine, and oil, whatever the priests in Jerusalem say is necessary, is to be given to them day by day regularly: read more.
That they may make offerings of a sweet smell to the God of heaven, with prayers for the life of the king and of his sons. I further give orders that if anyone makes any change in this word; one of the supports is to be pulled out of his house. He is to be lifted up and fixed to it and his house is to be destroyed. May the God who has made it a resting-place for his name send destruction on all kings and peoples whose hands are outstretched to make any change in this or to do damage to this house of God at Jerusalem. I, Darius, have given this order. Let it be done with all care.

You know that my own hands ministered to my necessities, and to those who were with me.

She gave the king a hundred and twenty talents of gold, and a great store of spices and jewels. Never again was such a wealth of spices seen as that which the queen of Sheba gave King Solomon.

Then Elisha went to his team of bulls, killed them, and cooked the meat. He used the yoke as fuel for the fire. He gave the meat to the people, and they ate it. Then he followed Elijah as his helper.

He brought into the Temple of Jehovah all the things he and his father made holy, silver and gold and vessels.

They sold their possessions and goods, and distributed them to all men, as every man had need.

Then he saw a poor widow putting in two small coins. I tell you a truth, he said: This poor widow gave more than all of them. They all gave out of their surplus but she gave out of her poverty. She gave all that she had for living expenses.

King Jehoash of Judah took all the offerings that his predecessors Jehoshaphat, Jehoram, and Ahaziah had dedicated to Jehovah, added to them his own offerings and all the gold in the treasuries of the Temple and the palace, and sent them all as a gift to King Hazael, who then led his army away from Jerusalem.

He built Jehovah's altar and sacrificed fellowship offerings and thank offerings on it. And he told Judah to serve Jehovah the God of Israel.

A disciple named Tabitha was at Joppa. Her name, when translated means Dorcas. This woman did many good works and gave gifts of mercy.

Pull some heads of grain out of what has been corded up and drop them for her to take. Say no sharp word to her.

They honored us with many gifts. When we were going to set sail, they put whatever we needed on board.

Then the king of Sodom said to Abram: Give me the people, but take the goods for yourself.

Traveling with him were the women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities. This included Mary Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out. Also healed was Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod's steward, and Susanna. There were many others, who supported them out of their private substance.

They came to Jesus and earnestly pleaded with him saying: He is worthy and you should do this for him. He loves our nation and he also built our synagogue for us.

but by equality: your abundance being a supply at this present time for their want, that their abundance also may become a supply for your want; that there may be equality:

The disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brothers in Judea.

I have all things, and prosper: I am filled, having received from Epaphroditus the things that came from you. It is an odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing to God.

Also healed was Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod's steward, and Susanna. There were many others, who supported them out of their private substance.

This stone I placed as a marker will be the house of God. I will certainly give you a tenth of everything you give me.

They entered the house and saw the young child with his mother Mary. They bowed down and paid him homage. Then they opened their treasure chests and offered gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

She stretches out her hand to the poor. Yes, she reaches forth her hands to the needy.

Mary took a pound of very precious ointment of pure nard and anointed the feet of Jesus. She wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the odor of the ointment.

All the skilled women brought fine linen thread and thread of blue, purple, and red wool, which they made.

Peter went to them right a way. When he arrived they brought him into the upper chamber. All the widows stood by him weeping and showing the coats and garments that Dorcas made while she was with them.

Traveling with him were the women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities. This included Mary Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out. Also healed was Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod's steward, and Susanna. There were many others, who supported them out of their private substance.

She stretches out her hand to the poor. Yes, she reaches forth her hands to the needy.

Mary took a pound of very precious ointment of pure nard and anointed the feet of Jesus. She wiped his feet with her hair. The house was filled with the odor of the ointment.

All the skilled women brought fine linen thread and thread of blue, purple, and red wool, which they made.

Peter went to them right a way. When he arrived they brought him into the upper chamber. All the widows stood by him weeping and showing the coats and garments that Dorcas made while she was with them.

Traveling with him were the women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities. This included Mary Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out. Also healed was Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod's steward, and Susanna. There were many others, who supported them out of their private substance.