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Verses Good for the Soul

15 – A Good Tree Bears Good Fruit

1 – Being Upright and Doing Good

Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see and twists the words of the righteous.(Exodus 23:8)

Follow justice and justice alone, so that you may live and possess the land the LORD your God is giving you. (Deuteronomy 16:20)

I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things have I given willingly and with honest intent. (1Chronicles 29:17)

Should not your piety be your confidence and your blameless ways your hope? (Job 4:6)

I put on righteousness as my clothing; justice was my robe and my turban. (Job 29:14)

LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill? He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart and has no slander on his tongue, who does his neighbor no wrong and casts no slur on his fellowman, who despises a vile man but honors those who fear the LORD, who keeps his oath even when it hurts, who lends his money without usury and does not accept a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things will never be shaken. (Psalm 15:1-5)

Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their cry. (Psalm 34:14-15)

Continue your love to those who know you, your righteousness to the upright in heart. (Psalm 36:10)

Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. (Psalm 37:3)

Those who repay my good with evil slander me when I pursue what is good. (Psalm 38:20)

Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked. (Psalm 82:3-4)

Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act. Do not say to your neighbor, “Come back later; I’ll give it tomorrow” – when you now have it with you. (Proverbs 3:27-28)

He whose walk is upright fears the LORD. (Proverbs 14:2)

Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people. (Proverbs 14:34)

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Kings detest wrongdoing, for a throne is established through righteousness. (Proverbs 16:12)

To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. (Proverbs 21:3)

I know there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live.(Ecclesiastes 3:12)

Maintain justice and do what is right, for my salvation is close at hand and my righteousness will soon be revealed. Blessed is the man who does this, the man who holds it fast, who keeps the Sabbath without desecrating it, and keeps his hand from doing any evil. (Isaiah 56:1-2)

Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter – when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? (Isaiah 58:6-7)

If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. (Isaiah 58:9-10)

Do not my words do good to him whose ways are upright? (Micah 2:7)

He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:8)

In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)

My brothers, I have fulfilled my duty of God in all good conscience to this day. (Acts 23:1)

So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and men. (Acts 24:16)

Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. (Romans 12:17-18)

For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God‘s servant to do you good. (Romans 13:3-4)

Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. (Romans 13:7)

Let us behave decently, as in the daytime. (Romans 13:13)Do not allow what you consider good to be spoken of as evil. (Romans 14:16)



Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. (Romans 14:19)

I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil. (Romans 16:19)

We are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of men. (2 Corinthians 8:21)

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (Galatians 6:9-10)

We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10)

Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody. (1Thessalonians 4:11-12)

Always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else. (1Thessalonians 5:15)

Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil. (1Thessalonians 5:21-22)

Brothers, never tire of doing what is right. (2 Thessalonians 3:13)

I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God. (1Timothy 2:9-10)

Set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. (1Timothy 4:12)

And is well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the saints, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds. (1Timothy 5:10)

In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not cannot be hidden. (1Timothy 5:25)

In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an

instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work. (2 Timothy 2:20-21)



All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about you. (Titus 2:7-8)

Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for Himself a people that are His very own, eager to do what is good. (Titus 2:13-14)

Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men. (Titus 3:1-2)

And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone. (Titus 3:8)

I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do will be spontaneous and not forced. (Philemon 1:14)

Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. (Hebrews 10:24)

Do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. (Hebrews 13:16)

Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way. (Hebrews 13:18)

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. (James 1:27)

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. (James 3:13)

Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins. (James 4:17)

Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us. (1Peter 2:12)

Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant



talk of foolish men. Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king. (1Peter 2:13-17)

Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil. (1Peter 3:10-12)

Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. (1Peter 3:13-14)

Do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. (1Peter 3:15-16)

So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good. (1Peter 4:19)

Make every effort to add to your faith goodness. (2 Peter 1:5)

Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God. (3 John 1:11)

2 – Rewards of Doing What Is Righteous

The LORD then said to Noah, “Go into the ark, you and your whole family, because I have found you righteous in this generation.” (Genesis 7:1)

For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, so that the LORD will bring about for Abraham what He has promised him. (Genesis 18:19)

Do what is right and good in the LORD’s sight, so that it may go well with you. (Deuteronomy 6:18)

Be careful to obey all these regulations I am giving you, so that it may always go well with you and your children after you, because you will be doing what is good and right in the eyes of the LORD your God. (Deuteronomy 12:28)

When one rules over men in righteousness, when he rules in the fear of God, he is like the light of morning at sunrise on a cloudless morning, like the brightness after rain that brings the grass from the earth. (2 Samuel 23:3-4)

If you are pure and upright, even now He will rouse Himself on your behalf and restore you to your rightful place. Your beginnings will seem humble, so prosperous will your future be. (Job 8:6-7)



He will deliver even one who is not innocent, who will be delivered through the cleanness of your hands. (Job 22:30)

I will maintain my righteousness and never let go of it; my conscience will not reproach me as long as I live. (Job 27:6)

Surely, O LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield. (Psalm 5:12)

My shield is God Most High, who saves the upright in heart. (Psalm 7:10)

The LORD is righteous, He loves justice; upright men will see His face. (Psalm 11:7)

The LORD has dealt with me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands He has rewarded me. (Psalm 18:20)

May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope is in you. (Psalm 25:21)

The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their cry…The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; He delivers them from all their troubles. (Psalm 34:15-17)

The LORD upholds the righteous. The days of the blameless are known to the LORD, and their inheritance will endure forever. In times of disaster they will not wither; in days of famine they will enjoy plenty. (Psalm 37:17-19)

If the LORD delights in a man’s way, He makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with His hand. (Psalm 37:23-24)

I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be blessed. (Psalm 37:25-26)

Turn from evil and do good; then you will dwell in the land forever. For the LORD loves the just and will not forsake His faithful ones. They will be protected forever. (Psalm 37:27-28)

The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks what is just. The law of his God is in his heart; his feet do not slip. (Psalm 37:30-31)Consider the blameless, observe the upright; there is a future for the man of peace. (Psalm 37:37)

Blessed is he who has regard for the weak; the LORD delivers him in times of trouble. The LORD will protect him and preserve his life; He will bless him in the land and not surrender him to the desire of his foes. The LORD will sustain him on his sickbed and restore him from his bed of illness. (Psalm 41:1-3)



In my integrity you uphold me and set me in your presence forever. (Psalm 41:12)

Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inner place. (Psalm 51:6)

The LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does He withhold from those whose walk is blameless. (Psalm 84:11)

Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other. (Psalm 85:10)

Light is shed upon the righteous and joy on the upright in heart. (Psalm 97:11)

My eyes will be on the faithful in the land, that they may dwell with me; he whose walk is blameless will minister to me. (Psalm 101:6)

Blessed are they who maintain justice, who constantly do what is right. (Psalm 106:3)

The generation of the upright will be blessed. (Psalm 112:2)

Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man. Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely, who conducts his affairs with justice. Surely he will never be shaken; a righteous man will be remembered forever. He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD. (Psalm 112:4-7)

Open for me the gates of righteousness; I will enter and give thanks to the LORD. This is the gate of the LORD through which the righteous may enter. I will give you thanks, for you answered me; you have become my salvation. (Psalm 118:19-21)

Do good, O LORD, to those who are good, to those who are upright in heart. (Psalm 125:4)

The LORD loves the righteous. (Psalm 146:8)

He holds victory in store for the upright, He is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for He guards the course of the just and protects the way of His faithful ones. (Proverbs 2:7-8)

The upright will live in the land, and the blameless will remain in it. (Proverbs 2:21)

Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. (Proverbs 3:3-4)

The LORD’s curse is on the house of the wicked, but He blesses the home of the righteous. (Proverbs 3:33)

The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shinning ever brighter till the full light of day. (Proverbs 4:18)



The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out. (Proverbs 10:9)

What the wicked dreads will overtake him; what the righteous desire will be granted. When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone, but the righteous stand firm forever. (Proverbs 10:24-25)

The prospect of the righteous is joy. (Proverbs 10:28)

The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity. (Proverbs 11:3)

Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death. (Proverbs 11:4)

The righteousness of the blameless makes a straight way for them…The righteousness of the upright delivers them. (Proverbs 11:5-6)

A kind man benefits himself, but a cruel man brings trouble on himself. (Proverbs 11:17)

He who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward. The truly righteous man attains life. (Proverbs 11:18-19)

The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them. (Proverbs 12:6)

In the way of righteousness there is life; along that path is immortality. (Proverbs 12:28)

Righteousness guards the man of integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner. (Proverbs 13:6)

Misfortune pursues the sinner, but prosperity is the reward of the righteous. (Proverbs 13:21)

Those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness. (Proverbs 14:22)

The LORD is far from the wicked but He hears the prayer of the righteous. (Proverbs 15:29)

The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. (Proverbs 18:10)The righteous man leads a blameless life; blessed are his children after him. (Proverbs 20:7)

When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers. (Proverbs 21:15)

He who pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor. (Proverbs 21:21)

For though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again, but the wicked are brought down by calamity. (Proverbs 24:16)



The wicked man flees though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion. (Proverbs 28:1)

He whose walk is blameless is kept safe, but he whose ways are perverse will suddenly fall. (Proverbs 28:18)

Tell the righteous it will be well with them, for they will enjoy the fruit of their deeds. (Isaiah 3:10)

The path of the righteous is level; O upright One, you make the way of the righteous smooth. (Isaiah 26:7)

The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever. (Isaiah 32:17)

He who walks righteously and speaks what is right, who rejects gain from extortion and keeps his hand from accepting bribes, who stops his ears against plots of murder and shuts his eyes against contemplating evil – this is the man who will dwell on the heights, whose refuge will be the mountain fortress. His bread will be supplied, and water will not fail him. (Isaiah 33:15-16)

In righteousness you will be established: Tyranny will be far from you; you will have nothing to fear. Terror will be far removed; it will not come near you. (Isaiah 54:14)

Maintain justice and do what is right, for my salvation is close at hand and my righteousness will soon be revealed. Blessed is the man who does this, the man who holds it fast, who keeps the Sabbath without desecrating it, and keeps his hand from doing any evil. (Isaiah 56:1-2)

Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter – when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and He will say: Here am I. (Isaiah 58:6-9)

If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. The LORD will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. (Isaiah 58:9-11)

Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for Him. You come to the help of those who gladly do right, who remember your ways. (Isaiah 64:4-5)



Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. (Jeremiah 6:16)

The righteousness of the righteous man will be credited to him. (Ezekiel 18:20)

Renounce your sins by doing what is right, and your wickedness by being kind to the oppressed. It may be that then your prosperity will continue. (Daniel 4:27)

Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love. (Hosea 10:12)

Seek good, not evil, that you may live. Then the LORD God Almighty will be with you, just as you say He is. (Amos 5:14)

Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land, you who do what He commands. Seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the LORD’s anger. (Zephaniah 2:3)

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. (Matthew 5:6)

Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. (Matthew 13:43)

When you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous. (Luke 14:13-14)

God “will give to each person according to what he has done.” To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, He will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For God does not show favoritism. (Romans 2:6-11)

Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves. (Romans 14:22)

You know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does. (Ephesians 6:8)

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:8-9)

Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. (1Timothy 6:18-19)



But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. (James 3:17-18)

Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. (1Peter 3:13-14)

If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who does what is right has been born of Him. (1John 2:29)

3 – Better than Sacrifice

Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifices, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. (1Samuel 15:22)

I wash my hands in innocence, and go about your altar, O LORD, proclaiming aloud your praise and telling of all your wonderful deeds. I love the house where you live, O LORD, the place where your glory dwells. (Psalm 26:6-8)

Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but my ears you have pierced; burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require. Then I said, “Here I am, I have come – it is written about me in the scroll. I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.” (Psalm 40:6-8)

Do I eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of goats? Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High. (Psalm 50:13-14)

He who sacrifice thank offerings honors me. (Psalm 50:23)

You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. (Psalm 51:16-17)

I will sacrifice a freewill offering to you; I will praise your name, O LORD, for it is good. (Psalm 54:6)

I am under vows to you, O God; I will present my thank offering to you. (Psalm 56:12)

I will praise God’s name in song and glorify Him with thanksgiving. This will please the LORD more than an ox, more than a bull with its horns and hoofs. (Psalm 69:30-31)

Let them sacrifice thank offerings and tell of His works with songs of joy. (Psalm 107:22)

Accept, O LORD, the willing praise of my mouth, and teach me your laws. (Psalm 119:108)



May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice. (Psalm 141:2)

The LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases Him.(Proverbs 15:8)

To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. (Proverbs 21:3)

Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong. (Ecclesiastes 5:1)

For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings. (Hosea 6:6)

Take words with you and return to the LORD. Say to Him: “Forgive all our sins and receive us graciously, that we may offer the fruit of our lips.” (Hosea 14:2)

Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Though you bring choice fellowship offerings, I will have no regard for them. Away with the noise of your songs!I will not listen to the music of your harps. But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream! (Amos 5:22-24)

But I, with a song of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. (Jonah 2:9)

With what shall I come before the LORD and bow down before the exalted God? Shall I come before Him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:6-8)

But go and learn what this means: “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners. (Matthew 9:13)Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices – mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law – justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. (Matthew 23:23)

“Well said, teacher,” the man replied. “You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but Him. To love Him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.” When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, He said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” (Mark 12:32-34)



Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to Him as instruments of righteousness. (Romans 6:13)

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship. (Romans 12:1)

And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God’s will. (2 Corinthians 8:5)

Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (Ephesians 5:1-2)

Even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. (Philippians 2:17)

I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, and acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. (Philippians 4:18)

Therefore, when Christ came into the world, He said: “Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased. Then I said, ‘Here I am – it is written about me in the scroll – I have come to do your will, O God.’” First He said, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them” (although the law required them to be made). Then He said, “Here I am, I have come to do your will.” He sets aside the first to establish the second. And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. (Hebrews 10:5-10)

Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise – the fruit of lips that confess His name. (Hebrews 13:15)

Do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. (Hebrews 13:16)You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. (1Peter 2:5)

4 – “It Is More Blessed to Give than to Receive”

Bring the best of the firstfruits of your soil to the hose of the LORD your God. (Exodus 23:19)

Everyone who was willing and whose heart moved him came and brought an offering to the LORD for the work on the Tent of Meeting. (Exodus 35:21)



When you sacrifice a thank offering to the LORD, sacrifice it in such a way that it will be accepted on your behalf. (Leviticus 22:29)

A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD. (Leviticus 27:30)

Be sure to set aside a tenth of all that your fields produce each year. Eat the tithe of your grain, new wine and oil, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks in the presence of the LORD you God at the place He will choose as a dwelling for His Name, so that you may learn to revere the LORD your God always. (Deuteronomy 14:22-23) If there is a poor man among your brothers in any of the towns of the land that the LORD your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother. Rather be openhanded and freely lend him whatever he needs. Be careful not to harbor this wicked thought: “The seventh year, the year for canceling debts, is near,” so that you do not show ill will toward your needy brother and give him nothing. He may then appeal to the LORD against you, and you will be found guilty of sin. Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. (Deuteronomy 15:7-10)

Each of you must bring a gift in proportion to the way the LORD your God has blessed you. (Deuteronomy 16:17)

Whatever your lips utter you must be sure to do, because you made your vow freely to the LORD your God with your own mouth. (Deuteronomy 23:23)

But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand. (1Chronicles 29:14)

I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things have I given willingly and with honest intent. (1Chronicles 29:17)

We also assume responsibility for bringing to the house of the LORD each year the firstfruits of our crops and of every fruit tree. (Nehemiah 10:35)

The righteous give generously; those the LORD blesses will inherit the land. (Psalm 37:21-22)

Blessed is he who has regard for the weak; the LORD delivers him in times of trouble. The LORD will protect him and preserve his life; He will bless him in the land and not surrender him to the desire of his foes. The LORD will sustain him on his sickbed and restore him from his bed of illness. (Psalm 41:1-3)

He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor, his righteousness endures forever; his horn will be lifted high in honor. (Psalm 112:9)



Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine. (Proverbs 3:9-10)

One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. (Proverbs 11:24-25)

Blessed is he who is kind to the needy. (Proverbs 14:21)

Whoever is kind to the needy honors God. (Proverbs 14:31)

He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and He will reward him for what he has done. (Proverbs 19:17)

A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor. (Proverbs 22:9)

He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses. (Proverbs 28:27)

When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it. (Ecclesiastes 5:4-5)

Cast your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will find it again. Give portions to seven, yet to eight, for you do not know what disaster may come upon the land. (Ecclesiastes 11:1-2)

“You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little. What you brought home, I blew away. Why?” declares the LORD Almighty. “Because of my house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with his own house. Therefore, because of you the heavens have withheld their dew and the earth its crops. I called for a drought on the fields and the mountains, on the grain, the new wine, the oil and whatever the ground produces, on man and cattle, and on the labor of your hands.” (Haggai 1:9-11)

“Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. But you ask, ‘How do we rob you?’ In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse – the whole nation of you – because you are robbing me. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.” (Malachi 3:8-10)

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. (Matthew 5:7)

So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 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. (Matthew 6:2-4)



Freely you have received, freely give. (Matthew 10:8)

He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives the one who sent me. Anyone who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and anyone who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man’s reward. And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward. (Matthew 10:40-42)

Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” (Matthew 19:21)

I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me. (Matthew 25:40)

Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me. (Mark 9:37)

I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward. (Mark 9:41)

Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. Calling His disciples to Him, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything – all she had to live on.” (Mark 12:41-44)

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. (Luke 6:38)Stay in that house, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. (Luke 10:7)

Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. (Luke 12:33)

I tell you the truth, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me. (John 13:20)

He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, “Cornelius!” Cornelius stared at him in fear. “What is it, Lord?” he



asked. The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God.” (Acts 10:2-4) You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. 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.” (Acts 20:34-35)

If it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously…if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. (Romans 12:8)

Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. (Romans 12:13)

For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jew’s spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings. (Romans 15:26-27)

If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you?...Don’t you know that those who work in the temple get their food from the temple, and those who sever at the altar share in what is offered on the altar? In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel. (1Corinthians 9:11-14)

On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made. (1Corinthians 16:2)

Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God’s will. (2 Corinthians 8:2-5)

But just as you excel in everything – in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us – see that you also excel in this grace of giving. (2 Corinthians 8:7)

If the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have. Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality, as it is written: “He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little.” (2 Corinthians 8:12-15)



So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you in advance and finish the arrangement for the generous gift you had promised. Then it will be ready as a generous gift, not as one grudgingly given. (2 Corinthians 9:5)

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: “He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. (2 Corinthians 9:6-11)

This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of the thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanied your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. (2 Corinthians 9:12-13)

Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor. (Galatians 6:6)

Must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need. (Ephesians 4:28)

I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, and acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:18-19)

Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. (1Timothy 6:18-19)

Do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. (Hebrews 13:16)

If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? (1Joh 3:17)

Dear friends, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers, even though they are strangers to you. They have told the church about your love. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God. It was for the sake of the Name that they went out, receiving no help from the



pagans. We ought therefore to show hospitality to such men so that we may work together for the truth. (3 John 1:5-8)

5 – A Good Tree Bears Good Fruit

Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. (Psalm 1:1-3)

The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the LORD, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, “The LORD is upright; He is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in Him.” (Psalm 92:12-15)

The righteous will thrive like a green leaf…The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life. (Proverbs11:28-30)

Tell the righteous it will be well with them, for they will enjoy the fruit of their deeds. (Isaiah 3:10)

Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worried in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit. (Jeremiah 17:7-8)

I will answer him and care for him. I am like a green pine tree; your fruitfulness comes from me. (Hosea 14:8)

Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. (Matthew 3:8)

The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. (Matthew 3:10)

By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit your will recognize them. (Matthew 7:16-20)

Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. (Matthew 12:33)

Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit. (Matthew 21:43)



No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks. (Luke 6:43-45)

The seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop. (Luke 8:15)

I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. (John 15:1-2)

Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the braches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned…This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. (John 15:4-8)

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit – fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. (John 15:16)

You also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit to God. (Romans 7:4)

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23)

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord.(Ephesians 5:8-10)

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ – to the glory and praise of God. (Philippians 1:9-11)

And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God. (Colossians 1:10)

Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order that they may provide for daily necessities and not live unproductive lives. (Titus 3:14)



No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. (Hebrews 12:11)

What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accomplished by action, is deed. (James 2:14-17)

The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. (James 3:17-18)

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 1:5-8)

Index:1. Being Upright and Doing Good (p.1)2. Rewards of Doing What Is Righteous (p.5)3. Better than Sacrifice (p.11)4. “It is More Blessed to Give than to Receive” (p.14)5. A Good Tree Bears Good Fruit (p.19)


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