If you are looking to gain a better understanding of what the Bible says regarding helping the poor, then this article is for you. Here I have compiled impactful verses and passages from both the Old and New Testaments that provide clarity on God’s perspective on poverty and how we should compassionately respond by generously giving and serving those in need. My goal is that these biblical insights will compel us to faithfully care for the poor and oppressed.
Table of Contents
Introductions
Dear friends, God deeply cares for those living in poverty. Throughout Scripture, we see His heart towards the marginalized and His commands to generously care for the needy among us. Serving the less fortunate is a non-negotiable for the believer who desires to walk in obedience with Christ.
In the Old Testament, God instituted laws and called prophets to speak out against injustice towards widows, orphans and foreigners. He warned the Israelites against hardheartedness, reminding them they were once slaves. The principles behind gleaning laws and the Year of Jubilee demonstrate God’s desire for equitable systems that prevent perpetual poverty.
In the New Testament, Jesus echoed the priority for the poor in His inaugural sermon. He taught that when we feed the hungry and clothe the naked, it is as if we are ministering directly to Christ Himself. The first Christians shared possessions freely so that no one was needy, understanding mutual aid to be fundamental evidence of God’s love operating through the community.
Dear friends, now let’s explore some of the cherished Bible verses below that compel Christ’s followers to tangibly bless and empower the impoverished. May we ask the Holy Spirit to shape our perspective and transform selfish tendencies into lavish generosity flowing from the Father’s gracious provision available to all.
What Does the Bible Say About Caring for the Poor?
Proverbs 14:31
“He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor”
Proverbs 19:17
“He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord ; that which he hath given will he pay him again”
Galatians 2:10
“Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do”
James 2:14-17
“What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, destitute of daily food, One of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone”
Old Testament Verses About God’s Heart for the Poor
Psalm 82:3-4
“Defend the poor fatherless: do justice to the afflicted needy. Deliver the poor needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked”
Exodus 22:22-24
“Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child. If thou afflict them in any wise, they cry at all unto me, I will surely hear their cry; My wrath shall wax hot, I will kill you with the sword; your wives shall be widows, your children fatherless”
Isaiah 1:17
“Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow”
Zechariah 7:9-10
“Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, shew mercy compassions every man to his brother: Oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart”
Proverbs 22:9
“He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor”
New Testament Calls to Help Those in Need
Luke 3:11
“He answereth saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; he that hath meat, let him do likewise”
1 John 3:17-18
“But whoso hath this world’s good, seeth his brother have need, shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed in truth”
Acts 20:35
“I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive”
Ephesians 4:28
“Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth”
Hebrews 13:16
“But to do good to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased”
Jesus’ Teachings on Serving and Loving the Poor
Matthew 5:42
“Give to him that asketh thee, from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away”
Luke 6:38
“Give, it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again”
Luke 14:13-14
“But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: Thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just”
Matthew 19:21
“Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go sell that thou hast, give to the poor, thou shalt have treasure in heaven: come follow me”
Luke 18:22
“Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, distribute unto the poor, thou shalt have treasure in heaven: come, follow me”
How Should We Help the Poor and Needy?
Proverbs 28:27
“He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse”
1 Timothy 6:17-19
“Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life”
Deuteronomy 15:10-11
“Thou shalt surely give him, thine heart shall not be grieved when thou givest unto him: because that for this thing the Lord thy God shall bless thee in all thy works, in all that thou puttest thine hand unto. For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, to thy needy, in thy land”
Matthew 6:2-4
“Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly”
Bible Verses About Showing Compassion to the Poor
Colossians 3:12
“Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering”
Luke 10:33-34
“But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: when he saw him, he had compassion on him, Went to him, bound up his wounds, pouring in oil wine, set him on his own beast, brought him to an inn, took care of him”
Psalm 41:1
“Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble”
Overcoming Attitudes of Indifference Towards Poverty
Amos 5:11-12
“Forasmuch therefore as your treading is upon the poor, ye take from him burdens of wheat: ye have built houses of hewn stone, but ye shall not dwell in them; ye have planted pleasant vineyards, but ye shall not drink wine of them. For I know your manifold transgressions your mighty sins: they afflict the just, they take a bribe, they turn aside the poor in the gate from their right”
Isaiah 58:7
“Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?”
Putting Biblical Teachings on Poverty into Practice
Micah 6:8
“He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, to love mercy, to walk humbly with thy God?”
Galatians 6:2
“Bear ye one another’s burdens, so fulfil the law of Christ”
James 1:27
“Pure religion undefiled before God the Father is this, To visit the fatherless widows in their affliction, to keep himself unspotted from the world”
1 John 3:18
“My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed in truth”
Luke 12:33-34
“Sell that ye have, give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also”
