American Bible Society today released the eighth chapter of their 15th annual State of the Bible report. This new data shows the impact of loving behavior toward others (“pro-social behaviors”) and generosity of time, energy, and finances based on Scripture engagement, denomination, generation, and various other demographics. The eighth chapter of State of the Bible: USA 2025 is available now for download at StateoftheBible.org.

“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,” says John Farquhar 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.”

The survey included several questions about 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. The survey also covered respondents’ charitable giving during the previous year, including giving amounts and what percentage they donated to their church, other religious organizations or non-religious organizations.

State of the Bible findings come from a nationally representative survey performed for American Bible Society by NORC at the University of Chicago, using their AmeriSpeak panel. The data came from 2,656 online interviews with American adults in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Data were collected from January 2–21, 2025.

Key findings analyzed in Chapter 8: Love and Generosity

  • People who use the Bible four or more times per week are three times more likely to strongly agree that the Bible influences them to more loving behavior, compared to people who use the Bible monthly (66% compared to 22%) (page 168).
  • Scripture Engaged individuals are more likely to strongly agree with prosocial statements than the Movable Middle or the Bible Disengaged.
    • The only area where the Scripture Engaged fell behind the Bible Disengaged in expressing strong or very strong agreement is when it comes to caring for the environment (53% vs. 56%). Agreement on this question is the highest among the Bible Disengaged (page 159).
    • The Movable Middle was significantly less enthusiastic about prosocial behaviors than both the Scripture Engaged and the Bible Disengaged.
  • 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 (page 159).
  • Nearly half of Practicing Christians who read the Bible at least monthly strongly agree the Bible makes them more generous—twice the rate of Casual or Nominal Christians who use the Bible monthly or more (both 24%) (page 155).
  • Among donors, the median amount given by the Scripture Engaged ($2,000) is four times higher than that of the Bible Disengaged ($500) (Page 164).
    • Just 51% of the Bible Disengaged donate to charity or church compared to 86% of the Scripture Engaged. Three quarters (75%) of the Movable Middle donate.
  • Among Christian denominations, Evangelical Protestants have the highest rate of giving (78%) and the highest median amount given by donors at $1,500. Historically Black Protestant churches also have a relatively high median of giving among their donors ($1,000) who dedicate the highest percentage of their gifts (57%) to their local church, while Mainline Protestant givers donate the lowest percentage (40%) to their local church (page 167).

One final chapter in the State of the Bible story will be released by American Bible Society in December—this will include a summary of data 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.