Proverbs 19:17
17 He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again. that which...: or, his deed
Bible Verses About Caring for the Poor
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.
Proverbs 14:31
31 He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.
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
Proverbs 31:8–9
8 Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction. such...: Heb. the sons of destruction 9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
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
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.
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
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.
Proverbs 22:9
9 He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor. He that...: Heb. Good of eye
Proverbs 28:27
27 He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.
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.
Isaiah 58:10
10 And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday:
Proverbs 21:13
13 Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.
Galatians 2:10
10 Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.
Psalms 82:3–4
3 Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy. Defend: Heb. Judge 4 Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked.