Many can give better than receive. But faith begins with receiving: grace, forgiveness, life – all gifts. Here you will find 19 Bible verses about receiving and about accepting God's gifts with open hands.
Everything is a Gift
What we receive from God.
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And from his abundance we have all received grace upon grace.
John 1:16Grace
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For who has preceded you? What do you have that you did not receive? If you received it, why do you boast as though you did not receive it?
1 Corinthians 4:7
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For every good and perfect gift comes down from above, from the Father of Lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.
James 1:17ThankfulnessGifts
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John answered and said: No one can take anything unless it is given to him from heaven.
John 3:27
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For just as death reigned through one sin, so much more will those who receive the fullness of grace and the gift of righteousness reign in life through one, Jesus Christ.
Romans 5:17
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For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.
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For death is the wages of sin; but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus, our Lord.
Romans 6:23GospelEternal Life
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As many as received him, he gave them power to become children of God, who believe in his name.
John 1:12ConversionGod as Father
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Truly I say to you: Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child shall not enter it.
Mark 10:15
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Peter said to them: Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 2:38RepentancePentecost
Ask and Receive
Invitations to receive from God.
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For whoever asks receives; and whoever seeks finds; and whoever knocks shall be let in.
Matthew 7:8
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Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
John 16:24Prayer
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And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive.
Matthew 21:22Answered Prayer
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But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all and does not reproach, and it will be given to him.
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Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace in the time of need.
Hebrews 4:16GraceGod's Nearness
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Freely you received it, freely give also.
Matthew 10:8bGivingCare and Medicine
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And serve one another, each with the gift he has received, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
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Give, and it will be given to you. A full, pressed, shaken, and overflowing measure will be poured into your bosom; for with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.
Luke 6:38GivingGenerosity
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I am the Lord, your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt: Open wide your mouth, and I will fill it!
Psalm 81:11
Bible texts: Luther Bible 1912 (public domain), carefully adapted to modern spelling.
Related Topics
This Goes Well Together
Receiving grace is the beginning of everything. The Grace collection reminds us – in everyday life, on our feet, and on our chests.
Grace - SocksGrace socks – Grace for every step.€12
Grace - Boxy T-ShirtBoxy shirt from the Grace collection – by grace, not by performance.€38
Yes & Amen - PosterAll the promises of God are yes and amen in Christ (2 Corinthians 1:20).€10
Thank You - PostcardThank you postcard for people you would like to express your gratitude to.€2
Why Receiving Is So Difficult
Paul asks a simple but uncomfortable question: “What do you have that you did not receive?” (1 Corinthians 4:7). Life, talents, relationships, faith – everything is a gift. Nevertheless, it is difficult for many to simply accept. We want to give something back, to repay, to earn it. Jesus says that we must receive the kingdom of God “like a little child” (Mark 10:15) – children can accept gifts without calculating.
Receiving and Giving Back
Receiving is not an endpoint in the Bible. Jesus sends his disciples out with the words: “Freely you received it, freely give also” (Matthew 10:8). Peter adds: “And serve one another, each with the gift he has received” (1 Peter 4:10). Whoever has received much can be generous without fear of coming up short. More on this at Bible verses about giving, Bible verses about grace and Bible verses about spiritual gifts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does it say “Freely you received it”?
In Matthew 10:8: “Freely you received it, freely give also.”
What does “What do you have that you did not receive?” mean?
In 1 Corinthians 4:7, Paul reminds us that everything a person has and can do is ultimately a gift from God.
