Top 20 Bible Verses About Gifts (With Commentary)
Gifts are a tangible expression of love, kindness, and generosity. The Bible contains verses that highlight the significance of giving and receiving gifts. In this blog post, we will explore these verses, unraveling the spiritual insights and lessons they offer. From the greatest gift of all, Jesus Christ, to the call to use our own gifts to bless others, these verses will inspire you to embrace the joy of giving and receiving with a grateful heart. So, unwrap the treasures of wisdom as we journey through the pages of the Bible.
Bible Verses About Gifts
Romans 12:6-8
“We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.”
In this passage, Paul reminds us that each believer has been given a unique set of gifts by God’s grace. We are not all called to the same type of service, but each gift is important in building up the body of Christ. We are called to use our gifts to serve one another with love.
1 Corinthians 12:8-11
“To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.”
In this passage, Paul lists the various gifts of the Holy Spirit, emphasizing the diversity of gifts and the unity of the Spirit. It is important to remember that these gifts are not earned or deserved, but are given by God’s grace for the purpose of building up the church and bringing glory to God.
1 Peter 4:10-11
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.”
Peter exhorts believers to use their gifts to serve others, acknowledging that we are merely stewards of God’s grace. We are to use our gifts with humility, recognizing that they are not for our own glory, but for the glory of God. Whether we speak or serve, we are to do so with the strength and power that God provides, so that He may be praised through our service.
Ephesians 4:11-12
“So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.”
In this passage, Paul reminds us that Christ has given leaders with specific gifts to the Church, to equip the saints for ministry. These leaders, who are given the task of shepherding God’s people, are to use their gifts to help each member of the body grow in maturity and build up the Church.
James 1:17
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”
James reminds us that every good gift comes from God, who is the giver of all good things. We should be thankful for the gifts that God has given us, and use them for His glory.
Proverbs 18:16
“A man’s gift makes room for him, And brings him before great men.”
The writer of Proverbs acknowledges the power of using our gifts to advance ourselves and gain influence. However, it is important to remember that using our gifts in this manner should not be our primary motivation. Rather, we should use our gifts to glorify God and serve others, trusting that He will open doors for us as He sees fit.
Matthew 6:3-4
“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.”
In this passage, Jesus reminds us that our giving should be done in secret, with no desire for public recognition or reward. We should give generously with a heart of love for those in need, trusting that God sees our actions and will reward us accordingly.
Proverbs 25:14
“Like clouds and wind without rain is one who boasts of gifts never given.”
The writer of Proverbs warns against boasting of gifts that are not actually given. It is not enough to have the ability to give or serve, we must actually follow through and use our gifts for the benefit of others.
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.’”
Paul quotes Jesus in this passage, highlighting the importance of giving to those in need. We are blessed not only by what we receive, but by what we give away. Giving is an act of love and selflessness that reflects the heart of God, and brings joy and blessing to both the giver and the receiver.
1 Corinthians 14:1
“Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy.”
Paul encourages believers to eagerly desire the gifts of the Holy Spirit, particularly the gift of prophecy. This is not to say that we should crave spiritual gifts for our own benefit or personal gain, but rather that we should seek to use our gifts to serve and edify the body of Christ in love.
1 Timothy 4:14
“Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you.”
Paul reminds Timothy not to neglect the gift that he has been given, emphasizing the importance of using our gifts faithfully. We are stewards of the gifts that God has given us, and are called to use them for His glory and the benefit of others.
Colossians 3:23-24
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
Paul encourages us to work at everything with our whole heart, as if we are working for the Lord Himself. Whether we are using our gifts in ministry or in the secular world, we should do so with excellence and integrity, recognizing that we ultimately serve the Lord in all that we do.
Isaiah 11:2
“The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him— the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord.”
In this passage, Isaiah prophesies about the coming Messiah, emphasizing the various gifts of the Holy Spirit that he will possess. This passage highlights the importance of seeking the Holy Spirit’s guidance in using our gifts faithfully and in accordance with God’s will.
Proverbs 19:6
“Many seek an audience with a ruler, but it is from the Lord that one gets justice.”
The writer of Proverbs reminds us that true justice and recognition comes not from human rulers, but from the Lord Himself. We should seek to use our gifts to serve God and others, trusting that He sees and rewards our faithfulness.
1 Corinthians 12:31
“But eagerly desire the greater gifts. And now I will show you the most excellent way.”
Paul encourages believers to eagerly desire the greater gifts of the Holy Spirit, but emphasizes that even the greatest gifts are useless without love. Love is the most excellent way of using our gifts faithfully and is the key to building up the body of Christ.
1 Corinthians 14:12
“So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church.”
Paul reminds us that the purpose of spiritual gifts is to build up the body of Christ. We should seek to excel in using our gifts to this end, focusing not on ourselves, but on serving others in love.
1 Corinthians 12:27-28
“Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues.”
Paul emphasizes the importance of each member of the body of Christ, and the unique gifts that each one brings. God has placed different gifts in the Church for a purpose, and each one is valuable and necessary for the building up of the body of Christ.
1 Peter 4:10
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”
Peter reminds us that we are to use whatever gift we have received to serve others faithfully, recognizing that our gifts are not our own, but have been given to us as stewards of God’s grace. We should use our gifts to glorify God and bless others, with hearts of love and humility.
Romans 11:29
“for God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable.”
Paul reminds us that God’s gifts and callings are irrevocable. Even if we fail or make mistakes, God’s gifts and calling on our lives remain. We can trust that God will continue to use our gifts and guide us in fulfilling His purposes for our lives.
2 Corinthians 9:7
“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
Paul emphasizes the importance of giving with a cheerful heart, rather than out of obligation or guilt. Giving should be an act of love and joy, as we recognize that everything we have comes from God and we have the opportunity to bless others by giving back.
James 1:17
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”
James reminds us that every good and perfect gift comes from God, who is the source of all blessings. We should be grateful for the gifts that God has given us, recognizing that they come from His hand and are given for His glory and our good.
Matthew 25:14-30
“For it is just like a man about to go on a journey, who called his own slaves and entrusted his possessions to them. To one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, each according to his own ability; and he went on his journey.”
Jesus teaches a parable about the importance of using our gifts faithfully. In this parable, a man entrusts his possessions to his slaves, giving each one a different number of talents according to their ability. The slaves who use their talents faithfully are rewarded, while the one who buries his talent is punished. We are called to use the gifts that God has given us to serve and glorify Him, trusting that He will reward our faithfulness.
What does Proverbs say about gifts?
The book of Proverbs, found in the Old Testament, offers valuable wisdom on various aspects of life, including the topic of gifts. One prominent verse in Proverbs that discusses gifts is:
Proverbs 18:16 (New International Version)
“A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great.”
This verse emphasizes the power of a gift to open doors and create opportunities for the giver. In ancient times, offering gifts was a common practice to gain favor or access to influential people. While the context might have cultural differences from today’s world, the underlying principle still holds: giving gifts can foster positive relationships and create a sense of goodwill between individuals.
What does God say about giving gifts?
Throughout the Bible, God’s perspective on giving and gifts is highlighted. One of the fundamental principles is the act of giving itself, which mirrors God’s nature of love, compassion, and generosity. The Bible provides several insights into God’s thoughts on giving:
1. Acts of Love
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16 (NIV)
This well-known verse portrays God’s ultimate act of love and giving—sending Jesus Christ to redeem humanity from sin. It sets the precedent for giving selflessly and sacrificially, showing that true love involves giving without expecting anything in return.
2. Giving with Cheerfulness
“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” – 2 Corinthians 9:7 (NIV)
God encourages cheerful giving, where one gives willingly and joyfully, rather than out of obligation or pressure. This attitude of joyous giving reflects a heart aligned with God’s nature of delighting in generosity.
3. The Widow’s Offering
“Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.” – Luke 21:3-4 (NIV)
In this account, Jesus observes a poor widow putting in two small coins into the temple treasury, a seemingly insignificant amount compared to the wealthy contributions. However, Jesus commends her for giving all she had, emphasizing that it is the spirit and sacrifice behind the gift that matters more to God than the monetary value.
4. Using Gifts for Service
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” – 1 Peter 4:10 (NIV)
God grants spiritual gifts to believers, and these gifts are not meant for personal glory but for serving others and building up the body of Christ. Being good stewards of these gifts involves using them wisely and generously to benefit others and advance God’s Kingdom.
The Seven Gifts Scripture
The phrase “the seven gifts” typically refers to the “Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit.” These gifts are mentioned in the Old Testament book of Isaiah and the New Testament book of Romans. They are believed to be special endowments bestowed by the Holy Spirit upon individuals who receive the Sacrament of Confirmation in some Christian traditions. The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit are:
- Wisdom: This gift enables individuals to have a deeper understanding of God’s truths and the ability to discern the best course of action in various situations, especially those that involve moral or spiritual choices.
- Understanding: With this gift, individuals can grasp the deeper meaning of faith and divine mysteries. It allows for insight into spiritual truths and the ability to interpret and apply them to one’s life.
- Counsel (Right Judgment): This gift provides guidance and prudence in making decisions, seeking advice, and discerning God’s will. It helps individuals make choices that align with God’s plan for their lives.
- Fortitude (Courage): Fortitude grants inner strength and courage to face challenges, endure trials, and stand firm in one’s faith, even in the face of adversity.
- Knowledge: This gift allows individuals to understand the truths of the faith and to have a profound awareness of God’s presence in the world.
- Piety (Reverence): Piety fosters a deep sense of reverence and devotion towards God, leading individuals to worship and serve Him with sincerity and love.
- Fear of the Lord (Wonder and Awe): The fear of the Lord does not imply being afraid of God, but rather having a profound respect and awe for His majesty and greatness. This gift inspires a desire to avoid sin and to live in obedience to God.
These gifts are considered invaluable tools for spiritual growth and living out one’s faith. They empower believers to live virtuous lives and become more effective witnesses of Christ’s teachings.
In conclusion, the Bible contains numerous verses that discuss gifts, including both physical presents and spiritual gifts. Proverbs highlights the power of a gift to open doors and create opportunities. God’s perspective on giving is characterized by love, cheerfulness, sacrificial giving, and using our gifts for service. Additionally, the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit, as mentioned in Scripture, are considered special endowments that empower believers to grow spiritually and live out their faith more effectively. Understanding these principles can enrich our understanding of giving and inspire us to use our gifts for the betterment of others and the glory of God.
