Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD your God that he has given you.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Deuteronomy 16:17
What does Deuteronomy 16:17 mean?
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Deuteronomy 16:17
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The verse highlights a beautiful principle: our giving isn't just about emptying our pockets, but about returning a portion of what God has already blessed us with. It’s a joyful outflow that acknowledges His generosity, recognizing that whatever we have to give originates from Him.
Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD your God that he has given you.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse wraps up the instructions for Israel's three major annual festivals, emphasizing joyful celebration and God's provision. Before this, Moses has outlined the requirement for all adult males to attend these feasts. Now, following the instruction to rejoice, comes the practical application of that gratitude: giving offerings based on God's blessings.
The Bible doesn't prescribe a fixed percentage for giving, but there's a clear principle for how much you should offer. It's a principle that honors both God and your own capacity.
This verse teaches us that our giving isn't meant to be a burden that crushes us, but a generous response to God's goodness. The phrase 'as he is able' is key. It means the amount isn't dictated by a rigid rule, but by each person's individual capacity.
Think of it like this:
Why are we called to give? It's not just about meeting needs; it's deeply connected to recognizing where those blessings truly come from.
The verse explicitly links giving to 'the blessing of the LORD your God that he has given you.' This highlights that every good thing we have—our resources, our abilities, our opportunities—originates from God.
Our giving, therefore, becomes an act of:
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Understand the original words
berakah · Hebrew Noun
In the biblical context, this refers to the favor, grace, and material prosperity bestowed upon individuals by God as a result of His covenantal love and care.
This passage echoes the principle of giving based on one's prosperity, directly referencing the idea of setting aside funds 'as he may prosper,' which aligns perfectly with Deuteronomy's call to give 'as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord.'
2 Corinthians 9:7Here, Paul emphasizes that giving should stem from a willing heart and not out of obligation or compulsion, resonating with Deuteronomy's directive that individuals should give according to their ability and God's blessings.
Proverbs 3:9-10This proverb speaks to honoring the Lord with our wealth and possessions, promising blessing and abundance when we do so, which beautifully complements the idea in Deuteronomy that our giving should be a response to the blessings God has already given us.
Luke 12:48Jesus states that 'everyone to whom much was given, of him will much be required,' highlighting the responsibility that comes with receiving God's blessings, much like Deuteronomy instructs those who have been blessed to give generously.
pooleDeuteronomy 16:17: "Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD thy God which he hath given thee."
No text from Poole on this verse.
gillDeuteronomy 16:17: "Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD thy God which he hath given thee."
Every man shall give as he is able,.... The quantity to be given is not fixed in the law, but the wise men appointed it, as observed on Deuteronomy 16:16 but it is left by the Lord to the generosity of the people, only giving this general rule, that they should do according to their ability, and as the Lord had prospered them; see 1 Corinthians 16:2 so Jarchi,"every m…
The verse highlights a beautiful principle: our giving isn't just about emptying our pockets, but about returning a portion of what God has already blessed us with. It’s a joyful outflow that acknowledges His generosity, recognizing that whatever we have to give originates from Him.
This verse wraps up the instructions for Israel's three major annual festivals, emphasizing joyful celebration and God's provision. Before this, Moses has outlined the requirement for all adult males to attend these feasts. Now, following the instruction to rejoice, comes the practical application of that gratitude: giving offerings based on God's blessings.
This verse wraps up the instructions for Israel's three major annual festivals, emphasizing joyful celebration and God's provision. Before this, Moses has outlined the requirement for all adult males to attend these feasts. Now, following the instruction to rejoice, comes the practical application of that gratitude: giving offerings based on God's blessings.
"Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD your God that he has given you." — The verse highlights a beautiful principle: our giving isn't just about emptying our pockets, but about returning a portion of what God has already blessed us with. It’s a joyful outflow that acknowl…
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Last reviewed October 2026