101 reasons why we should give.

Introduction:

Some people think that all the church wants is for you to give them your money…

But that’s not true. God wants you to give.

 

101 reasons to give to God’s kingdom, along with corresponding ESV Bible verses:

 

  1. God commands it:Malachi 3:10: “Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.”
  2. To honour God:Proverbs 3:9: “Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce.”
  3. To support his church and mission:1 Corinthians 9:14: “In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel.”
  4. To help those in need:Proverbs 19:17: “Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.”
  5. To store treasures in heaven:Matthew 6:20: “But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.”
  6. To express gratitude:2 Corinthians 9:11: “You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.”
  7. God loves a cheerful giver:2 Corinthians 9:7: “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
  8. To imitate Christ’s generosity:2 Corinthians 8:9: “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.”
  9. To show love:1 John 3:17: “But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?”
  10. To experience God’s provision:Philippians 4:19: “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
  11. To grow in faith:2 Corinthians 9:8: “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.”
  12. To participate in God’s work:1 Corinthians 3:9: “For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building.”
  13. To fulfill the law of Christ:Galatians 6:2: “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
  14. To sow generously:2 Corinthians 9:6: “The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.”
  15. To avoid greed:1 Timothy 6:10: “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.”
  16. To invest in eternity:Luke 12:33: “Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys.”
  17. To demonstrate trust in God:Matthew 6:25-26: “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?”
  18. To fulfill God’s promises:Luke 6:38: “Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”
  19. To glorify God:1 Corinthians 10:31: “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
  20. To obey the Great Commission:Matthew 28:19-20: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
  21. To exercise stewardship:1 Peter 4:10: “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.”
  22. To receive God’s blessings:Deuteronomy 15:10: “You shall give to him freely, and your heart shall not be grudging when you give to him, because for this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in all that you undertake.”
  23. To please God:Hebrews 13:16: “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.”
  24. To meet needs:Philippians 4:16-18: “Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.”
  25. To be a blessing:Genesis 12:2: “And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.”
  26. To demonstrate compassion:Colossians 3:12: “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.”
  27. To follow Jesus’ example:Acts 20:35: “In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
  28. To support missions:Romans 10:15: “And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!’”
  29. To spread the gospel:Mark 16:15: “And he said to them, ‘Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.’”
  30. To fulfill our purpose:Ephesians 2:10: “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
  31. To build up the body of Christ:Ephesians 4:12: “To equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.”
  32. To be obedient:1 Samuel 15:22: “And Samuel said, ‘Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.’”
  33. To reflect God’s generosity:James 1:17: “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.”
  34. To provide for the saints:Romans 12:13: “Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.”
  35. To support leaders:1 Timothy 5:17-18: “Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honour, especially those who labour in preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, ‘You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,’ and, ‘The labourer deserves his wages.’”
  36. To gain spiritual wisdom:Proverbs 11:25: “Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.”
  37. To be free from materialism:1 Timothy 6:17-19: “As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.”
  38. To fight selfishness:Philippians 2:4: “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”
  39. To demonstrate God’s love:John 13:34-35: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
  40. To be a good witness:Matthew 5:16: “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
  41. To bear fruit:John 15:8: “By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.”
  42. To fulfill God’s will:Hebrews 13:21: “Equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.”
  43. To live out our faith:James 2:17: “So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”
  44. To bring joy to others:2 Corinthians 8:2: “For in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.”
  45. To grow spiritually:2 Peter 1:5-8: “For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
  46. To practice generosity:1 Timothy 6:18: “They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share.”
  47. To express our faith:Hebrews 11:1: “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”
  48. To be rewarded by God:Colossians 3:23-24: “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”
  49. To fight anxiety:Philippians 4:6-7: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
  50. To be rich toward God:Luke 12:21: “So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”
  51. To fulfil our calling:2 Timothy 1:9: “Who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began.”
  52. To reflect God’s character:Ephesians 5:1: “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.”
  53. To love our neighbours:Matthew 22:39: “And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbour as yourself.”
  54. To fulfil the greatest commandment:Matthew 22:37-38: “And he said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment.’”
  55. To advance God’s kingdom:Matthew 6:33: “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
  56. To fulfill God’s purpose:Romans 8:28: “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
  57. To express thanksgiving:1 Thessalonians 5:18: “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
  58. To obey God’s commands:John 14:15: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”
  59. To demonstrate humility:Philippians 2:3: “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.”
  60. To practice hospitality:Romans 12:13: “Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.”
  61. To avoid the love of money:Hebrews 13:5: “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’”
  62. To show God’s love to the world:John 13:35: “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
  63. To be a blessing to others:Acts 20:35: “In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
  64. To fulfil the royal law:James 2:8: “If you really fulfil the royal law according to the Scripture, ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself,’ you are doing well.”
  65. To glorify God with our resources:1 Corinthians 10:31: “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
  66. To exercise our spiritual gifts:1 Peter 4:10: “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.”
  67. To follow God’s example:Ephesians 5:1-2: “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”
  68. To help carry each other’s burdens:Galatians 6:2: “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.”
  69. To be a light in the world:Matthew 5:14-16: “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
  70. To fulfil God’s plan:Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
  71. To practice righteousness:1 John 3:7: “Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous.”
  72. To share our blessings:2 Corinthians 9:11: “You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.”
  73. To be an example to others:1 Timothy 4:12: “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.”
  74. To live a godly life:Titus 2:11-12: “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age.”
  75. To practice sacrificial giving:Romans 12:1: “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.”
  76. To support the work of the ministry:Philippians 4:15-17: “And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit.”
  77. To build up others:1 Thessalonians 5:11: “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”
  78. To reflect God’s grace:2 Corinthians 8:7: “But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also.”
  79. To fulfil our mission:Acts 1:8: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
  80. To demonstrate God’s power:2 Corinthians 12:9: “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
  81. To show the reality of our faith:James 2:18: “But someone will say, ‘You have faith and I have works.’ Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”
  82. To fulfil God’s purpose for our lives:Ephesians 2:10: “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
  83. To bring joy to others:2 Corinthians 9:7: “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
  84. To be a part of God’s family:Galatians 6:10: “So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”
  85. To fight selfishness:Philippians 2:4: “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”
  86. To demonstrate our love for God:1 John 4:19: “We love because he first loved us.”
  87. To live out the gospel:Philippians 1:27: “Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel.”
  88. To be content with what we have:Hebrews 13:5: “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’”
  89. To fulfil our responsibility:Romans 15:27: “For they were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material blessings.”
  90. To demonstrate our faith:Hebrews 11:6: “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”
  91. To be a blessing to others:Genesis 12:2-3: “And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonours you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
  92. To glorify God with our lives:1 Corinthians 6:20: “For you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”
  93. To support Christ church:1 Corinthians 16:2: “On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come.”
  94. To fulfill God’s commandments:John 15:10: “If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.”
  95. To be rich in good deeds:1 Timothy 6:18: “They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share.”
  96. To serve others:Galatians 5:13: “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”
  97. To demonstrate our faith:James 2:17: “So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”
  98. To bring glory to God:Matthew 5:16: “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
  99. To fulfil God’s will:Ephesians 6:6: “Not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart.”
  100. To live a life worthy of the gospel:Philippians 1:27: “Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel.”
  101. To fulfil our calling as Christians:2 Peter 1:10: “Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.”

Application

How many reasons do you need to give to God’s kingdom 100? 10? or simply just 1.

Christ died to pay for your sins and for you to have eternal life.