What are the bible proverbs about gift? Find out in this article with commentary on each verse.
Introduction
There are different gifts, the right kind and the wrong, evil kind. Good gifts are from God, these are mainly spiritual divine gifts. An example of wicked gifts is bribing, and the Bible is against accepting bribes.Â
8 Bible proverbs about gift
Proverbs 3:9
Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:
Honor is another word in the Bible for worship. We are to worship God with our wealth. Everything we have comes from God, so why would we be so selfish as not to give a little back to Him? This proverb best explains how giving to God is rewarding and the economics of God’s kingdom. By gifting the giver with the first fruits of your product, He will, in turn, bless you more. In other words, giving God gifts, although He does not need them, will move Him to bless you.
Proverbs 6:34-35
For jealousy is the rage of a man: therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance.
He will not regard any ransom; neither will he rest content, though thou givest many gifts.
There are certain matters that even gifts will not solve. No matter how expensive or how many gifts you give, the matter will not be solved. A grave matter such as a jealous husband who suspects infidelity will not be dismissed by gifts. Be careful that you live a holy life and will not be caught in such a situation.
Proverbs 11:25
The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.
A liberal person gives generously. And he who gives will also be rewarded by God. Since he waters and gives to others, he will also be watered, that is, he will be rewarded. It is a godly principle. When you give, God will bless you. Be a gift in God’s church and give, God will return the favor.
Proverbs 15:27
He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.
Greed is normally associated with the love of money. People are tempted to do evil to have financial success. The reason why people take gifts that serve as bribes is to enrich themselves. Be satisfied with what you have, then you will not have to take bribes to satisfy unnecessary needs.
Proverbs 18:16
A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.
Gifts are powerful. They can move mountains for you. How many gifted people have you seen making waves? Singers and actors are gifted people whose gifts have led them to meet important people. Joseph’s gift led him to Pharaoh and his promotion. Daniel’s gift led him to meet King Nebuchadnezzar. These men worked closely with the most powerful leaders because of their gifts, not to mention they were trusted because of their gifts. Some gifts such as singing need to be sharpened with practice even though they come from God. And then there are gifts of interpreting dreams like Joseph’s and Daniel’s that also come from God but do not need practicing.
Proverbs 19:6
Many will intreat the favour of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts.
Many seek fame and power, and that is why they want to be associated with the influencers and famous people in this world. Add being associated with a famous person and the one who gives gifts and you have a good crowd following these people. He who gives gifts is loved by many. But what happens when the gifts are finished? Gifts can bring the right or wrong company into a person’s life.
Proverbs 21:26
He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.
To understand this proverb, we need to understand that the previous verse is speaking about a lazy man who does not want to work. This same man is the one who covets riches he does not work for in verse 26. He keeps on craving for more, is not satisfied with what he has and does not understand that to have more, he needs to work for it. There is a huge contrast between this slothful man and the righteous man who gives without sparing. It appears giving gifts is associated with the righteous. It takes a kind heart to give generously.
Proverbs 29:24
Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul: he heareth cursing, and bewrayeth it not.
A righteous king can only establish a good government. However, a king who accepts gifts ruins his government. But kings and people in influential positions receive gifts. What is wrong with that? The problem is that a gift establishes a reciprocal relationship. I give you this and in return; you give me something. What can a king give back except for favors, favors that may even be against his subjects? Instead of being a just fair king, he becomes a controlled or a puppeteered king.Â
Conclusion
There are two sides to gifts. One side is good. Gifts can bless the ones in need and make their lives easier. On the other hand, a gift can be used for evil, to control an influential person and make him do your dirty work. The gifts that come from God are usually used for good and they are also given to righteous people who are governed by godly principles
