Bible Verses About Caring for the Poor

King James Version · 16 passages

How a man treats the poor, Scripture says, is how he treats his Maker. He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord, and the Lord repays. These passages carry the Bible's steady command — from the law, through the prophets, to the Lord Jesus Himself — to open your hand to the hungry and defend those who cannot defend themselves.

Matthew 25:35–40

35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. 37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? 38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

See also: Proverbs 19:17 · Proverbs 14:31 · Matthew 10:42 · Mark 9:41

Isaiah 58:6–7

6 Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? the heavy...: Heb. the bundles of the yoke oppressed: Heb. broken 7 Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? cast...: or, afflicted

See also: Nehemiah 5:10 · Matthew 25:35 · Isaiah 58:9 · Ezekiel 18:7

James 2:15–17

15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? 17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. alone: Gr. by itself

See also: James 2:26 · 2 Peter 1:5 · James 2:19 · Proverbs 3:27

1 John 3:17–18

17 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? 18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

See also: James 2:15 · Hebrews 13:16 · Romans 12:9 · 1 Peter 1:22

Psalms 41:1–3

1 [To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.] Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble. the poor: or, the weak, or, sick in time...: Heb. in the day of evil 2 The LORD will preserve him, and keep him alive; and he shall be blessed upon the earth: and thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies. thou...: or, do not thou deliver 3 The LORD will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing: thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness. make: Heb. turn

See also: Proverbs 19:17 · Proverbs 14:21 · Acts 20:35 · 2 Corinthians 9:8

Deuteronomy 15:7–8

7 If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother: 8 But thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth.

See also: Deuteronomy 15:9 · Proverbs 21:13 · 1 John 3:16 · James 2:15

Luke 14:12–14

12 Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee. 13 But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: 14 And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.

See also: Proverbs 19:17 · Luke 14:21 · Matthew 5:46 · James 2:1