In biblical times, the giving of presents, particularly in the form of money or valuable items, was a common practice that held significant cultural and spiritual implications. These gifts were often used to express honor, establish alliances, seek favor, or demonstrate gratitude. The Bible provides numerous examples of such practices, reflecting the customs and values of ancient societies.

Old Testament Examples

One of the earliest instances of giving presents as a form of monetary exchange is found in the account of Abraham. In Genesis 23, Abraham purchases the cave of Machpelah as a burial site for his wife Sarah. He insists on paying Ephron the Hittite the full price for the land, which was four hundred shekels of silver, a significant sum at the time. This transaction underscores the importance of fair dealings and the use of money to secure property rights.

In Genesis 32, Jacob prepares to meet his estranged brother Esau after many years. To appease Esau and seek his favor, Jacob sends ahead a substantial gift consisting of livestock: "two hundred female goats, twenty male goats, two hundred ewes, twenty rams, thirty milk camels with their young, forty cows, ten bulls, twenty female donkeys, and ten male donkeys" (Genesis 32:14-15). This act of giving was intended to convey goodwill and reconcile with his brother.

The account of Joseph in Egypt also highlights the use of presents as a means of securing favor. When Joseph's brothers return to Egypt to buy grain during a famine, they bring gifts to the Egyptian ruler, not knowing he is their brother. They present "a little balm and a little honey, spices and myrrh, pistachios and almonds" (Genesis 43:11) as a gesture of respect and to gain favor.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of giving presents, particularly monetary gifts, is often associated with acts of worship and support for the early Christian community. The Magi's visit to the infant Jesus is a notable example. They present gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh (Matthew 2:11), which are not only valuable but also symbolically significant, representing Jesus' kingship, divinity, and future suffering.

The early church also practiced the giving of monetary gifts to support its members and leaders. In Acts 4:34-35, believers sold their possessions and brought the proceeds to the apostles, who distributed the funds to those in need. This communal sharing of resources was a practical expression of love and unity within the body of Christ.

The Apostle Paul frequently addressed the topic of giving in his epistles. In 2 Corinthians 9:7, he encourages believers to give generously and willingly: "Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver" . Paul emphasizes that giving should be motivated by love and a desire to support the work of the gospel.

Cultural and Spiritual Significance

The giving of presents as money in biblical times was deeply intertwined with cultural norms and spiritual principles. It was a means of expressing respect, gratitude, and allegiance. In many cases, these gifts were given to honor God, support religious leaders, or assist those in need. The Bible consistently portrays giving as an act of worship and a reflection of one's heart and priorities.

Throughout Scripture, the act of giving is seen as a tangible expression of faith and obedience to God. It serves as a reminder of the believer's responsibility to steward resources wisely and to use them for the advancement of God's kingdom. The biblical narrative encourages believers to give generously, not only as a duty but as a joyful response to God's abundant grace and provision.Genesis 45:22
To all of them he gave each man changes of raiment; but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver, and five changes of raiment.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Samuel 9:8
And the servant answered Saul again, and said, Behold, I have here at hand the fourth part of a shekel of silver: that will I give to the man of God, to tell us our way.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Job 42:11
Then came there to him all his brothers, and all his sisters, and all they that had been of his acquaintance before, and did eat bread with him in his house: and they bemoaned him, and comforted him over all the evil that the LORD had brought on him: every man also gave him a piece of money, and every one an earring of gold.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Story of the Purging of the Temple Spiritualized. Taken ...
... Taken Literally, It Presents Some Very Difficult and Unlikely Features ... which bore
the stamp of material things and not ... away from the Jews [5061] and given to a ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/16 the story of the.htm

How Antiochus Made a League with Ptolemy and How Onias Provoked ...
... covetous was Onias, that nothing of things nature made him ... at the unexpected richness
of the presents, even the ... him very great respects, and had given him very ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 4 how antiochus made.htm

How the Samaritans Made a Tumult and Pilate Destroyed Many of Them ...
... When Tiberius had heard of these things, he desired ... Darius as an hostage, with many
presents, among which ... the affairs already, because Herod had given him an ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 4 how the samaritans.htm

Rom. xi. 7
... so great things, and made us so great presents, yet it ... is not measured by the quantity
of things given, but by ... power to recover him that is cast down as money. ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xix rom xi 7.htm

Joseph --The Savior of his People.
... placed their money, and that they need not fear, for God had given it back ... He also
loaded twenty asses with the good things of Egypt as presents to his ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter viii josephthe savior of.htm

Herod is Confirmed in his Kingdom by Caesar, and Cultivates a ...
... desert my benefactor after the bow that was given him at ... 3. When Caesar had spoken
such obliging things to the king ... to be kind to him by the presents he gave him ...
/.../chapter 20 herod is confirmed.htm

C??sarius of Arles.
... free will, but by the Holy Ghost which is given us. ... things that were C??sar's, and
to God the things that were ... The world presents a bitter draught to her wooers ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/neander/light in the dark places/caesarius of arles.htm

Epistle Xlviii. To Columbus, Bishop .
... evidences by the bearers of these presents against the ... and others may not presume
to attempt such things. ... we have learnt through the information given us by ...
/.../the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle xlviii to columbus bishop.htm

How Alexander [Bala] in his War with Demetrius, Granted Jonathan ...
... hard things from him, and acted many hard things against him ... I have also sent thee,
as presents, a purple robe ... to the poll-money, which ought to be given me for ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 2 how alexander bala.htm

Of the Method in which the Four Evangelists are Shown to be at one ...
... the bread; and, secondly, after the bread has been given. ... He presents it thus: "When
Jesus had thus said, He ... that Jesus said unto him, Buy those things that we ...
/.../augustine/the harmony of the gospels/chapter i of the method in.htm

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