Devotional for Giving

We can give our time, energy, effort, strength, love, items, finances, and ourselves. But with what kind of heart determines the fruit of our giving?

We can be begrudging and willful, giving merely because it is expected or required of us. And our fruit will be bitter or rotten.

We all give grudgingly sometimes—out of guilt, pressure, or exhaustion. That’s okay. God isn’t mad at you. He looks at the heart, and He’s the one who changes reluctant givers into cheerful ones by filling us with His own generous love first (1 John 4:19 – ‘We love because he first loved us’).

We can be boastful and braggadocios about our giving to gain accolades and status. But our fruit will not be sweet or hearty.

Only when we give with a heart of love and compassion for the other person and in reverence towards God, who tells us to give freely, will our fruit be ripe and plentiful. Then, not only will others benefit, but so will you and the kingdom of God.

In marriage and family life, giving with a cheerful heart looks like:

Serving your spouse when you’re exhausted and it’s ‘not your turn’
Giving the gift of listening without fixing or scrolling
Putting money toward a need in your home (or someone else’s) without keeping score
Offering forgiveness when it costs you pride
Giving your time and full attention to your kids or spouse instead of half-hearted presence
Tithing or helping others even when the budget feels tight—together as a team

Take the time to read the scriptures below and truly focus on what they are saying to you. Some passages may touch you differently than others. Writing down the verses in your own hand is helpful for some individuals. Possibly looking up the verses in your own bible may be beneficial. I use a NIV bible translation. Or reading them over and over to commit to memory. Whatever method works best for you to experience God's words and feel closer to Him.

Luke 6:38

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

2 Corinthians 8:11-12

Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.

2 Corinthians 9:6-8

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

1 Timothy 6:17-19

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

Matthew 6:1-4

"Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Proverbs 22:9

A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.

Proverbs 11:24-25

One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.

Acts 20:35

In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said; 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'

Here's a quick prayer if you can't find the words:

Father, I confess that sometimes I give out of duty or resentment instead of love. Thank You for giving everything—Your Son, Your Spirit, Your daily grace—to me when I deserved none of it. Fill my heart with Your generosity today. Make me cheerful, not grudging, in the ways I give to my spouse, my family, and others. Let my giving point straight to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Try one of these steps today:

Do one small act of service for your spouse or family without telling anyone (even them) and without expecting thanks.
Give something away today—time, money, encouragement, or forgiveness—cheerfully and secretly.
Before you give anything today, pause and thank God for one specific way He has generously given to you.

I sincerely pray that these bible verses meet you where you are today and help you to give to others willingly and in love. A simple act can provide tremendous support for someone else.

God bless,

Melissa