More Bible reading results in a greater level of loving and generous behavior, according to the just-released eighth chapter of the 15th annual State of the Bible report by the American Bible Society (ABS). 

Latest findings come from a nationally representative survey for ABS by NORC at the University of Chicago, using their AmeriSpeak panel. It involved 2,656 online interviews with American adults in all 50 states and the District of Columbia with data collected from Jan. 2–21, 2025. 

A press release for “Chapter 8: Love & Generosity” by the ABS revealed that new data shows the impact of loving behavior, defined as pro-social behaviour, toward others and “generosity of time, energy, and finances based on Scripture engagement, denomination, generation, and various other demographics.” 

“The correlation between Scripture engagement and loving behavior and generosity is undeniable. The more people engage with Scripture, the more likely they are to give of their time, talents, and treasures and to act lovingly toward their neighbors,” said John Plake, Chief Innovation Officer at American Bible Society and editor-in-chief of the State of the Bible series. 

"Our thoughts, behaviors, and words reflect what we consume and what fills our hearts and minds. It's only logical that when we fill our minds with Scripture — the greatest love story ever told — an outpouring of love will follow.”

Several questions in the ABS survey probed the views of respondents in their pro-social behaviors, including: welcoming immigrants into my community; befriending people of other races; befriending people of other religions; caring for the environment; advocating for those who are oppressed by society. 

Charitable giving in the previous year is also covered in the eighth chapter. This includes amounts of donations and percentages donated by respondents to their local churches, other religious organizations or non-religious organizations. 

Other key findings in Chapter 8 showed that people reading the Bible four-plus times weekly are thrice more likely to strongly agree that Scriptures influence them to more loving behavior, compared to people who use the Bible monthly (66% compared to 22%).

Scripture-engaged individuals are also more likely to strongly agree with pro-social statements than the “Movable Middle” or the “Bible Disengaged.”

The only area where the Scripturally engaged were less likely to express strong or very strong agreement compared to the Bible disengaged was related to the importance of caring for the environment (53% vs. 56% respectively). Agreement on this question is the highest among the Bible disengaged.

“The Movable Middle was significantly less enthusiastic about prosocial behaviors than both the Scripture Engaged and the Bible Disengaged,” added the ABS press release.

“While generational differences are not vast, Gen Z is most likely to agree on the importance of caring for the environment. Millennials stand out in agreeing on advocating for the oppressed, and the Boomer+ generation leads the way in befriending those of other races and religions.”

Almost half of practising Christians surveyed, who read the Bible monthly or more, strongly agreed that the Bible helps them to be more generous. This is twice the rate of casual or nominal Christians, the press release stated, who use the Bible monthly or more (24% for both). 

With donors, the median amount given by the Scripture Engaged ($2,000) is four times that of the Bible Disengaged ($500). 

“Just 51% of the Bible Disengaged donate to charity or church compared to 86% of the Scripture Engaged,” the ABS release also noted. “Three quarters (75%) of the Movable Middle donate.” 

Evangelical Protestants have the highest rate of giving at 78%, compared to other Christian denominations. The highest median amount given by donors is $1,500. 

Black Protestant churches historically show a high median of giving ($1,000). They dedicate the highest percentage of their gifts (57%) to their local church. 

In comparison, mainline Protestant givers donate the lowest percentage (40%) to their local church (p. 167). 

Next month will see the the release of the final chapter of the State of the Bible by the ABS. This will include a data summary from 2025 and an exclusive preview of what’s coming in 2026.

To download the eighth chapter of State of the Bible 2025, visit StateoftheBible.org.