Yes, the Bible strongly encourages and commands charitable giving. There are numerous verses in both the Old and New Testaments that emphasize the importance of helping the poor, needy, and vulnerable. Here are some examples:
Old Testament:
* Deuteronomy 15:7-11: "If anyone is poor among your fellow Israelites in any of the towns of the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward them. Rather, be openhanded and freely lend them whatever they need...Give generously to them 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. There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land."
* Leviticus 19:9-10: "When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the foreigner. I am the Lord your God."
* Proverbs 19:17: "Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done."
* Isaiah 58:6-7: "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 them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?"
New Testament:
* Matthew 25:31-46: The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats illustrates that those who show compassion to the "least of these" are those who are righteous and will inherit eternal life.
* Luke 3:11: "John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same."
* Luke 6:30: "Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back."
* Luke 12:33: "Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys."
* Acts 2:44-45: "All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need."
* 2 Corinthians 9:6-7: "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."
* 1 John 3:17: "If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?"
* James 2:15-16: "Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?"
These are just a few examples. The concept of charity, compassion, and helping those in need is woven throughout the entire Bible, and is presented as a fundamental aspect of faith and righteous living. The specific ways to give, and the motivations behind giving, are also explored in detail.