Asking strangers on the internet for money feels vulnerable in ways our ancestors never had to navigate. Crowdfunding platforms like GoFundMe have democratized fundraising, allowing anyone with a compelling story and internet access to potentially raise thousands of dollars for medical bills, business ventures, or community projects. But they’ve also created new ethical dilemmas about when it’s appropriate to ask for help, how to present your need honestly, and what constitutes genuine necessity versus convenience.
Many Christians struggle with crowdfunding campaigns, wondering if launching a GoFundMe demonstrates a lack of faith in God’s provision or crosses the line into digital begging. Others worry about the ethics of competing for donor attention on platforms flooded with requests, or whether it’s right to ask for money when others might have greater needs. The pressure to craft the perfect campaign that tugs at heartstrings while remaining truthful creates its own moral complexity.
Scripture offers surprising wisdom for navigating the crowdfunding world. From principles about asking for help with humility to guidelines for honest communication and proper stewardship of funds, biblical teaching provides a framework for both launching campaigns and supporting others with integrity, compassion, and wisdom.
Bible Verses About Crowdfunding and GoFundMe Campaigns
1. Galatians 6:2 – Carry Each Other’s Burdens
Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
New International Version (NIV)
2. 1 John 3:17 – If Anyone Has Material Possessions
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?
New International Version (NIV)
3. Acts 2:44-47 – They Had Everything in Common
All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.
New International Version (NIV)
4. 2 Corinthians 8:14 – Your Plenty Will Supply What They Need
At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality.
New International Version (NIV)
5. Proverbs 19:17 – Whoever Is Kind to the Poor Lends to the Lord
Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done.
New International Version (NIV)
6. Matthew 7:7 – Ask and It Will Be Given to You
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
New International Version (NIV)
7. James 4:2 – You Do Not Have Because You Do Not Ask God
You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God.
New International Version (NIV)
8. Luke 6:30 – Give to Everyone Who Asks You
Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back.
New International Version (NIV)
9. 2 Corinthians 9:7 – Each of You Should Give What You Have Decided
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.
New International Version (NIV)
10. Ecclesiastes 4:12 – A Cord of Three Strands Is Not Quickly Broken
Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
New International Version (NIV)
11. Romans 12:13 – Share with the Lord’s People Who Are in Need
Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
New International Version (NIV)
12. Hebrews 13:16 – Do Not Forget to Do Good and to Share
And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
New International Version (NIV)
13. Acts 4:34-35 – No Needy Persons Among Them
That there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.
New International Version (NIV)
14. 1 Timothy 6:18 – Be Rich in Good Deeds
Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.
New International Version (NIV)
15. Proverbs 11:25 – A Generous Person Will Prosper
A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.
New International Version (NIV)
16. Luke 12:33 – Sell Your Possessions and Give to the Poor
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.
New International Version (NIV)
17. 2 Corinthians 8:2-3 – Their Overflowing Joy Welled Up in Rich Generosity
In the midst of a very 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.
New International Version (NIV)
18. Matthew 25:35-36 – I Was a Stranger and You Invited Me In
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.
New International Version (NIV)
19. Philippians 4:19 – My God Will Meet All Your Needs
And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
New International Version (NIV)
20. 2 Corinthians 9:8 – God Is Able to Bless You Abundantly
And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
New International Version (NIV)
21. 1 Corinthians 12:26 – If One Part Suffers, Every Part Suffers
If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
New International Version (NIV)
22. James 2:15-16 – Suppose a Brother or Sister Is Without Clothes
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?
New International Version (NIV)
23. Deuteronomy 15:11 – There Will Always Be Poor People in the Land
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.
New International Version (NIV)
24. Luke 3:11 – Anyone Who Has Two Shirts Should Share
John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.”
New International Version (NIV)
25. 2 Corinthians 1:4 – So That We Can Comfort Those in Any Trouble
Who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.
New International Version (NIV)
26. Proverbs 22:9 – The Generous Will Themselves Be Blessed
The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.
New International Version (NIV)
27. Isaiah 58:10 – If You Spend Yourselves in Behalf of the Hungry
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.
New International Version (NIV)
28. Luke 14:13-14 – When You Give a Banquet, Invite the Poor
But 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.
New International Version (NIV)
29. Acts 20:35 – It Is More Blessed to Give Than to Receive
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.’
New International Version (NIV)
30. 1 Peter 4:10 – Each of You Should Use Whatever Gift You Have
Each of you should use whatever gift you have to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.
New International Version (NIV)
31. Matthew 6:1-4 – Do Not Announce It with Trumpets
Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. 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 others. Truly I tell you, 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.
New International Version (NIV)
32. Colossians 3:12 – Clothe Yourselves with Compassion
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
New International Version (NIV)
33. 2 Corinthians 8:9 – Though He Was Rich, Yet for Your Sake He Became Poor
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.
New International Version (NIV)
34. Romans 15:1 – We Who Are Strong Ought to Bear with the Failings
We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.
New International Version (NIV)
35. 3 John 1:5-6 – You Are Faithful in What You Are Doing
Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers and sisters, even though they are strangers to you. They have told the church about your love. Please send them on their way in a manner that honors God.
New International Version (NIV)
Our Thoughts on What the Bible Says About Crowdfunding and GoFundMe Campaigns
Scripture presents a vision of community support that closely resembles modern crowdfunding principles: people with resources helping those in genuine need through voluntary giving motivated by compassion rather than compulsion. The early church’s practice of sharing resources and ensuring no one had unmet needs provides a biblical foundation for collective fundraising that transcends traditional charity models.
What’s particularly relevant is how the Bible balances asking for help with maintaining dignity and honesty. Scripture encourages people to make their needs known while also emphasizing transparency, gratitude, and proper stewardship of resources received. The biblical model shows that asking for assistance isn’t necessarily a sign of weak faith, but can be part of how God provides through His people’s generosity.
However, Scripture also warns against manipulation, false presentation of needs, and treating generosity as an entitlement rather than a gift. The Bible’s emphasis on helping the genuinely needy rather than funding lifestyle preferences challenges both campaign creators and donors to discern between legitimate needs and wants. When crowdfunding operates with biblical integrity, it becomes a powerful tool for community support that reflects God’s heart for caring for one another through shared resources and mutual aid.
Say This Prayer
Heavenly Father, I come to You as I consider launching a crowdfunding campaign for my need. Help me to approach this with humility and honesty, presenting my situation truthfully without manipulation or exaggeration. Give me wisdom to discern whether this need is something I should ask others to help with, or if there are other solutions I should pursue first.
If I do move forward with this campaign, help me to communicate my need clearly and gratefully, acknowledging that any support received is a gift from You through the generosity of others. Keep me from feeling entitled to assistance or bitter if the response isn’t what I hoped for.
For those who are considering supporting crowdfunding campaigns, give them discernment to recognize genuine needs and wisdom to give according to Your leading rather than emotional manipulation. Help donors to be generous while also being wise stewards of the resources You’ve entrusted to them.
Bless the technology and platforms that make it possible for people to support one another across distances. May these tools be used to reflect Your love and care for those in need, creating communities of mutual support that honor You.
Whether my campaign succeeds or falls short, help me to trust in Your provision and to be grateful for any assistance received. Use this experience to deepen my compassion for others in need and my commitment to supporting them when I’m able.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Evang. Anabelle Thompson is the founder of Believers Refuge, a Scripture-based resource that helps Christians to find biblical guidance for life’s challenges.
With over 15 years of ministry experience and a decade of dedicated Bible study, she creates content that connects believers with relevant Scripture for their daily struggles.
Her work has reached over 76,000 monthly readers (which is projected to reach 100,000 readers by the end of 2025) seeking practical faith applications, biblical encouragement, and spiritual guidance rooted in God’s Word.
She writes from personal experience, having walked through seasons of waiting, breakthrough, and spiritual growth that inform her teaching.
Evang. Thompson brings 12 years of active ministry and evangelism experience, along with over 10 years of systematic Bible study and theological research.
As a former small group leader and Sunday school teacher, she has published over 200 biblical resources and devotional studies.
She specializes in applying Scripture to everyday life challenges and regularly studies the original Hebrew and Greek texts for a deeper biblical understanding.