By Matt Vuorela / Chief Executive Officer of Steier Group
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son…” – John 3:16
All Christian generosity begins with this divine act. In this, He gave us everything. As Catholics, we are called to imitate this generous giving of self in our own lives.
This is the foundation of our definition of stewardship.
In other words, true stewardship is so much more than passing the plate around the pews at weekend Mass.
At its core, biblical giving begins with gratitude. We recognize that everything we have is a gift from God. Our response should be to generously share those gifts in love and service toward God and others.
For the Catholic parishes and dioceses we serve, the most successful fundraising efforts are rooted in this simple truth: when people are invited to give out of gratitude and a desire to strengthen the whole of the Church, abundant generosity follows.
In this blog, we’ll break down the different types of giving mentioned in the Bible and how your parish can encourage parishioners to express their faith through acts of generosity.
The 7 Types of Giving in the Bible
Biblical teaching leaves no doubt: generosity is essential to our lives as disciples. There are several types of giving that we see mentioned across Scripture. Each of the following seven ways to give reveals a different expression of gratitude for and trust in the Lord.
1. Tithing: Giving in Obedience
In The Old Testament, the tithe represented the first tenth of one’s harvest or income, offered back to God as an act of trust (Malachi 3:10). Today, 5-10% of one’s income remains the goal to tithe. While there isn’t a hard and fast rule, the Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us that “the goods of creation are destined for the whole human race.” (CCC 2402).
2. The Offering: Giving Freely (beyond the tithe)
Offerings are expressions of love beyond what’s required. Throughout Scripture, God honors freewill offerings because they flow from a generous heart (Exodus 35:29, as one example). In parish life, offertory giving can include weekly collections, second collections, special gifts, planned giving and more.
3. First fruits: Giving God Our Best
“First fruits” may not be a familiar phrase. The principle comes from Proverbs 3:9 and it means to honor the Lord with your wealth, offering God the “first and best” of any increase – not what remains after everything else is taken care of.
4. Almsgiving: Giving with Compassion
In Matthew 6:1-4, Jesus teaches us to give to the poor with humility and sincerity. This form of giving is directed specifically toward people in need, such as the hungry and vulnerable. Almsgiving reflects Christ’s own heart for the poor.
5. Seed Giving: Spreading the Gospel
From the earliest days of the Church, Christians helped sustain the apostles and the spread of the Gospel. That same call remains today; it just looks different. Support for parish ministries, diocesan initiatives, vocations and other missionary work that supports the Church’s mission is all part of this category of giving.
6. Sacrificial Giving: Giving That Costs You Something
In Mark 12:41-44, Jesus praises the widow who gave “all she had to live on.” That was sacrificial giving. It’s not about the amount, rather the attitude behind it and the depth of trust in the Lord that the gift represents. This type of generosity stretches us the most.
7. Cheerful Giving: Giving with a Joyful Heart
In an often quoted part of Scripture, St. Paul teaches that “God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7). Again, the attitude behind the gift matters. Cheerful giving is such that flows from a heart that notices and recognizes God’s blessings clearly—and responds with joy and gratitude. When we give freely, we show that we place value in God over possessions.
These forms of giving can become a framework for you as a parish leader to preach, teach and invite gifts in a way that resonates spiritually and inspires deeper commitment.
When parishioners better understand the many ways Scripture calls us all to give, our experience at The Steier Group shows that they are more likely to see themselves in the story and respond accordingly.
The Benefits and Blessings of Generosity
The more education and guidance that you can provide parishioners related to understanding the impact (benefits) of their giving, the better. Strong, consistent communication materials will keep donors informed and inspired.
Each type of giving can be framed as an act of worship. It isn’t about meeting an arbitrary need. By embracing a stewardship way of life, we draw closer to God and the many blessings that come from following Him.
How to Apply These in Everyday Life
There are so many meaningful ways to support the church and the community we all belong to. Though Mark 10:21 says “go, sell everything you have and give it to the poor,” we know that’s not realistic for the average parishioner.
Many saints and their stories also show how powerful and transformative generosity can be. Still, we’re not saying to preach that everyone uses their wealth to build schools and missions for the poor or marginalized St. Katharine Drexel style.
But it is important to help your community understand that charitable giving is a commitment, a regular part of our faith lives. It’s not a discretionary, optional item of a household budget.
Indeed, it’s a good donor development practice to help families with planning their gifts. Many parishes create worksheets or workshops to take individuals through how to intentionally give a percentage of their income back to the Church. It’s okay to start small and grow big from there.
We’ve seen incredible things happen in a church capital campaign when supporters are strategically invited to progressively increase their gifts of prayer, participation and generosity.
On that note, it’s also important to acknowledge that all forms of contributions are valuable.
Showing up to serve, volunteer or simply be present in the life of the parish strengthens the community, too. Generously offering the gift of one’s talent matters to the Church’s mission. And there are plenty of other non-financial gifts that reflect the many ways God calls us to give.
Ultimately, faithful stewardship is about contributing to the life and needs of the Church in whatever way each of us can.
Common Misunderstandings (FAQ)
Parishioners often have questions about the ways to give. Below are answers for some of the most common questions we hear.
Q: Is tithing required?
A: The Catholic Church does not mandate tithing. However, tithing is necessary for the vitality of the Church. Catholics are encouraged to work toward intentional, proportionate and sacrificial giving.
Q: Does giving to the poor, or giving to other organizations, count as tithing?
A: The short answer is no. Tithing is giving back specifically to your Church. Making a donation to another organization, or paying Catholic school tuition for that matter, does not count as a tithe (though worthwhile causes they may be). However, many families choose to make additional gifts to causes beyond their regular tithe to the Church.
Q: Am I supposed to tithe on my gross or net income?
A: First, a reminder that God does not require any set amount. He invites us all to give freely from our heart, within our own means. However, giving from your gross household income is the recommendation and something to prayerfully consider. Understand that we are not owners of anything we have, rather stewards of what God has given us.
Q: What if a family cannot or does not participate in tithing to the Church?
A: God sees the intention behind any and every gift, no matter the size. We are each asked to give in a way that is sacrificial for the context of our lives. And we can still work toward and plan more intentional future giving. Because giving to the Lord brings many blessings. Plus, when children see their parents prioritizing the Church, this models and encourages future generosity for them. How we choose to use the resources we’ve been given indicates what we value most.
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will also be.” – Matthew 6:21
“The Stewardship Way of Life invites us to elevate our gratitude and response to God by “receiving God’s gifts gratefully, cherish and tend God’s gifts responsibly, share them in justice and love with others, and return them with increase to the Lord.”
USCCB Stewardship: A Disciple’s Response
Conclusion
In the life of the Church, generosity extends beyond fundraising campaigns and budgets. Giving back is a way to express our faith. This list of the seven types of giving from the Bible is not shared as a checklist. We simply encourage parishes to help parishioners better understand the idea of giving as a response to God’ s love. As you guide your community, consider how to use these examples to help build a strong culture of gratitude and generosity.
Sources
Books of the Bible. (n.d.). In USCCB. Retrieved January 28, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible
Capital Campaign Communications Solutions. (n.d.). In Steier Group. Retrieved January 28, 2026, from https://www.steiergroup.com/services/communications/
Catechism of the Catholic Church. (n.d.). In USCCB. Retrieved January 28, 2026, from https://www.usccb.org/catechism-of-the-catholic-church
Catholic Fundraising & Capital Campaign Consulting. (n.d.). In Steier Group. Retrieved January 28, 2026, from https://www.steiergroup.com/
Faith Client Stories. (n.d.). In Steier Group. Retrieved January 28, 2026, from https://www.steiergroup.com/client-stories/faith-client-stories/
Vuorela, M. (2025). Donor Development Strategies for Maximum Impact. In Steier Group. https://www.steiergroup.com/blog/donor-development/
