Quotes About Giving

Quotes about giving from throughout Christian History.

Letter to Diognetus, A.D. 80 - 200

If you love Him, you will be an imitator of his kindness. Do not marvel that a man may become an imitator of God. He can, if he is willing.
   It is not by ruling over his neighbors, or by seeking to hold the supremacy over those that are weaker, or by being rich and showing violence towards those that are inferior, that happiness is found. Not by any of these things can one become an imitator of God. These things do not at all constitute His majesty.
   On the contrary, the one who is an imitator of God is he who takes upon himself the burden of his neighbor; who, in whatever ways he may be superior, is ready to benefit another who is deficient; who, whatever things he has received from God, he distributes to the needy and thus becomes a god to those who receive from him. (ch. 10)

The Didache, A.D. 80 - 160

You shall not turn away from him that is in need, but you shall share all things with your brother and shall not say that they are your own. For if you share what is immortal, how much more things which are temporary? (ch. 4)

Pseudo-Barnabas, A.D. 100-130

Do not be quick to reach out your hands to take, while draw them back from giving. … You shall share all things with your neighbor; you shall not call things your own; for if you are partakers in common of things which are incorruptible, how much more of those things which are corruptible! … You shall not hesitate to give, nor murmur when you give. Give to everyone that asks you, and you will know who is the good Repayer of the reward. (Letter of Barnabas 19)

Justin, c. A.D. 150

The wealthy among us help the needy; and we always keep together. We bless the Maker of all through his Son Jesus Christ, and through the Holy Spirit for all things with which we are supplied.
   On the day called Sunday, all who live in cities or in the country gather together to one place. … They who are well-to-do—and willing—give what each thinks fit. What is collected is deposited with the president, who helps the orphans and widows, those who through sickness or any other cause are in need, and those who are in prison and the strangers sojourning among us. In a word he takes care of all who are in need. (First Apology 67)

Irenaeus, c. A.D. 185

[The Jews] consecrated the tithes of their goods to Him, but those who have received liberty set aside all their possessions for the Lord’s purposes. They bestow joyfully and freely even the more valuable portion of their property, since they have the hope of better things, like that poor widow who cast all her living into the treasury of God. (Against Heresies IV:18:2)

Tertullian, c. A.D. 200

There is no buying and selling of any sort in the things of God. Though we have our treasure chest, it is not made up of purchase money, as of a religion that has its price.

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   On the monthly day, if he likes, each puts in a small donation, but only if it be his pleasure and only if he be able. For there is no compulsion, all is voluntary.
   These gifts are, as it were, piety’s deposit fund. For they are not taken from ther and spent on feasts, drinking bouts, and eating houses. They are to support and bury poor people, to supply the needs of boys and girls destitute of means and parents and of old persons confined now to the house.
   They also benefit such, too, as have suffered shipwreck. And if there happen to be any in the mines, banished to the islands, or shut up in the prisons for nothing but their fidelity to the cause of God’s Church; they become the nurslings of their confession. (Apology 39)