Old Testament

Deuteronomy 14:24

Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.

ClearClear Bible Translation

But if the place the LORD your God chooses for his name is too far away, and the LORD has blessed you so abundantly that you can't carry your tithe all that distance,

Compare translations
KJVKing James Version

And if the way be too long for thee, so that thou art not able to carry it; or if the place be too far from thee, which the LORD thy God shall choose to set his name there, when the LORD thy God hath blessed thee:

What Deuteronomy 14:24 means

Plain-English insight for readers

In this verse, God acknowledges that sometimes the journey to bring your offerings can be too difficult. If the place where God wants you to worship is far away, and you have been blessed with so much that carrying your tithe becomes a challenge, God understands. This shows that God cares about your situation and wants your worship to be meaningful, not burdensome. Instead of feeling guilty about not being able to bring your tithe, you can find other ways to honor God with what you have. It’s a reminder that God values your heart and intentions more than the physical act of giving. When you are blessed abundantly, it’s important to find ways to share those blessings, even if it looks different than expected. God wants you to enjoy your blessings and not feel overwhelmed by them. This verse encourages you to think creatively about how to express gratitude and support others, even when circumstances make traditional giving difficult. God’s grace allows for flexibility in how we show our love and devotion.

How to apply Deuteronomy 14:24 to your life

Consider how you can express gratitude for your blessings in ways that fit your situation. If traditional giving feels overwhelming, think of alternative ways to support your community or church. Remember, your intentions matter more than the method of giving. Find joy in sharing your blessings creatively and meaningfully with others around you.  Be open to new ways of worshiping and giving back to God and others in your life.

Curated for this public verse page. Deuteronomy Summary

Explore more of the Bible

Learn the Bible through its people and places

Get to know the people in Scripture through illustrated stories, and explore the places where they lived and traveled.

A painting of Daniel and his three friends eating vegetables and drinking water in a Babylonian hall, while other young men eat the king's food and drink wine and the steward looks on

Illustrated scene from Daniel's story: Faithful at the King's Table (Daniel 1:1–21)

Meet the people of the Bible

Follow their lives in order, with illustrated scenes and Bible passages that tell their stories.

Daniel

A ruined stone tower with a doorway at Burj Beitin, lit by low evening sun under a cloudy sky.

Photo: Bukvoed, via Wikimedia Commons. License: CC BY 4.0. Source. Location: Burj Beitin, Beitin, Ramallah and al-Bireh Governorate, West Bank. Resized for the web.

Explore the places of the Bible

See where biblical events happened, why each place matters, and what archaeology helps us understand.

Bethel

Where Jacob dreamed of a stairway to heaven and met God.

Get full access with one subscription

Explore the people and places of the Bible. Read summaries of every book, with images and clear explanations covering every chapter. Access all these features and our Bible study tools with one subscription.

See Plans

Ask AI about Deuteronomy 14:24

Ask a question about this verse and get a clear answer, with Bible references you can read for yourself.

Every Bible book, explained chapter by chapter

Explore summaries of every book of the Bible, with images and easy-to-understand explanations covering every chapter.

Keep studying Deuteronomy 14:24

At a Glance — the Book of Deuteronomy

Author
Traditionally attributed to Moses
Written
Around 1400 BC
Genre
Law (Pentateuch)
Original Audience
The Israelites about to enter the Promised Land

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick, clear answers about this verse

What does Deuteronomy 14:24 mean?

Deuteronomy 14:24 acknowledges that if the place where God wants you to worship is too far away, and you have been blessed abundantly, it may be difficult to carry your tithe. God understands this challenge and values your intentions over the physical act of giving.

What is the meaning of blessings in Deuteronomy 14:24?

In Deuteronomy 14:24, blessings refer to the abundance that God provides, which can sometimes make it challenging to fulfill traditional giving practices. The verse emphasizes that God cares about how you express gratitude for those blessings, even if it means finding alternative ways to give.

How can I apply Deuteronomy 14:24 in my life?

You can apply Deuteronomy 14:24 by finding alternative ways to express gratitude for your blessings, especially if traditional giving feels overwhelming. Consider supporting your community or church in creative ways that fit your circumstances.

Daily Verse — straight to your inbox

A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.