A classic offering verse is "Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come into his courts" (Psalm 96:8). Scripture asks us to give willingly and in proportion: "Every man shall give as he is able" (Deuteronomy 16:17), for "if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath" (2 Corinthians 8:12).
Many churches read a short Scripture before the offering is received, and many Christians want to know what the Bible says about giving to God. These twelve King James verses are grouped for both uses: short offertory readings for the collection, Old Testament offerings that show the heart behind giving, and the offerings God delights in most, ending with the one offering of Christ. For cheerful generosity in general, see giving; for money and stewardship, see finances.
Offering scriptures to read before the collection
1. Psalms 96:8
"Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come into his courts."
This is one of the most-read offertory verses. It joins giving with worship: the offering is a way of giving God the glory due to His name, not a fee for attending. 1 Chronicles 16:29 says almost the same words.
2. Deuteronomy 16:17
"Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD thy God which he hath given thee."
God asked each worshipper to give as he was able, in proportion to the blessing received. No one was to come empty-handed (Deuteronomy 16:16), and no one was asked to give what they did not have.
3. 1 Corinthians 16:2
"Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come."
Paul asked the churches to set money aside on the first day of the week, Sunday, as God had prospered them. Regular, planned giving is an old Christian habit, not a modern invention.
4. 2 Corinthians 8:12
"For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not."
God looks at the willing mind first. A small gift given gladly is accepted according to what a person has, which frees the poor from shame and the rich from pride.
Giving God our best: offerings in the Old Testament
5. Genesis 4:4
"And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:"
This is the first offering in the Bible. Abel brought the firstlings of his flock, and God had respect to him and to his offering. Hebrews 11:4 says Abel offered by faith; the heart came before the gift.
6. Exodus 25:2
"Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering."
When Israel built the tabernacle, God asked only for gifts given willingly with the heart. The people gave so freely that Moses had to tell them to stop bringing more (Exodus 36:5-6).
7. 2 Samuel 24:24
"And the king said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing. So David bought the threshingfloor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver."
David refused a free gift of land and oxen for his sacrifice. He would not offer to the LORD that which cost him nothing. The verse is a gentle question for every giver: does my offering cost me something?
8. 1 Chronicles 29:9
"Then the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, because with perfect heart they offered willingly to the LORD: and David the king also rejoiced with great joy."
When Israel gave for the temple, the people rejoiced because they offered willingly, and King David rejoiced with great joy. Generous offerings tend to bring joy to the giver as well as the receiver.
The offerings God delights in
9. Matthew 2:11
"And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh."
The wise men brought the first Christmas offering: gold, frankincense and myrrh. They worshipped first and opened their treasures second, a good order for every offering. See Christmas.
10. Romans 12:1
"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service."
The offering God wants most is ourselves. Paul calls the whole of life, body and all, a living sacrifice. Money in the plate is one small part of that larger gift.
11. Ephesians 5:2
"And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour."
Christ gave Himself as an offering and a sacrifice to God. Our offerings are an echo of His, and walking in love is how they continue through the week.
12. Hebrews 10:14
"For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified."
The Old Testament offerings were repeated year after year, but Jesus made one offering that perfects for ever those who are sanctified. We do not give to earn forgiveness; we give because the offering for sin is already complete.
A short prayer
Lord, everything I have comes from You. Receive this offering as worship, given willingly and with joy. Use it to spread the gospel and to care for people in need, and take my whole life as a living sacrifice. Thank You for Jesus, the one offering that made me Yours. Amen.
Go deeper: a SOAP study prompt
Pick one verse above and write: - Scripture: copy the verse by hand. - Observation: what does it say? Who is speaking, to whom? - Application: what does it mean for you today? - Prayer: turn it into a two-line prayer.
New to this method? See our Bible study guide or pick a Bible reading plan.
Download our free SOAP study page · Get the SOAP Bible Study Journal · Pray over your giving with the 30-Day Prayer Journal
Frequently asked questions
What is a good Scripture to read before the offering?
Short, worshipful verses work best: Psalm 96:8, 1 Chronicles 29:14, 2 Corinthians 9:7 or 2 Corinthians 8:12. A simple pattern is to read the verse, say one sentence about why we give, and pray. Rotating the verses through the year keeps the moment fresh for the congregation.
What is the difference between tithes and offerings?
In the Old Testament the tithe was a tenth: "all the tithe of the land... is the LORD's" (Leviticus 27:30). Offerings were gifts beyond that, often freewill gifts from "whosoever is of a willing heart" (Exodus 35:5). Christians differ on whether the tithe still applies, but agree that giving should be regular, generous and glad.
Should I give an offering when money is tight?
God asks for a willing heart, not a gift you cannot afford. Jesus praised a poor widow who gave two mites (Luke 21:1-4), and Paul says a gift is accepted "according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not" (2 Corinthians 8:12). Meet your family's needs and debts honestly, give what you can with joy, and talk with your pastor if you are struggling.
Is it okay to give my offering online?
Scripture does not prescribe a method. Paul asked believers to set gifts aside regularly (1 Corinthians 16:2) and took care that the money was handled honestly before God and people (2 Corinthians 8:20-21). Giving by app, envelope or check can all be worship. Year-end and Giving Tuesday (December 1, 2026) are good times to plan a generous gift. See also God providing.
Giving is an act of worship, not a transaction. Be cautious of anyone who promises a guaranteed financial return for a gift, and never give money you need for food, housing or debts you owe.
Sources: All Scripture quotations are from the King James Version (KJV), public domain in the United States. References were checked against the KJV text from bible-api.com.
Related: Bible verses about giving · Bible verses about finances · Bible verses about money · Bible verses about worship · Bible verses about being thankful · Bible verses about God providing · Bible verses about being faithful
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