God Commands Us To Help The Poor
Unfortunately, I think things like our own wealth, or politics, or even the media sometimes give us wrong ideas about poverty. I hear people repeat the phrase, Well, God helps them who help themselves . In fact, its the exact opposite of what the Bible teaches. The gospel teaches us that God saved us when we were helpless in our sins, and in the same way, the Bible commands us to help the helpless and the needy in our world who sometimes cant help themselves. In fact, if you look all the way back in the Old Testament, youll see that
Bible Verses About Serving The Poor
God cares about the poor and we are to care as well. We dont realize that to someone living on the street or someone in another country making 100-300 dollars a month, we are rich. Its hard for the rich to get into Heaven. We must stop thinking about self and think about others in need.
We are commanded to help the poor with a cheerful heart, not with a grudging one. When you serve the poor you are not only serving them you are serving Christ as well.
Youre storing for yourself great treasure in Heaven. God will not forget your blessing to others. Serve the poor expecting nothing in return.
Dont do it for show like some hypocrites. People dont need to know what youre doing. Have empathy for others, do it out of love, and for the glory of God.
Sacrifice your time, your money, your food, your water, your clothes, and you will feel so much joy in serving others. Pray with the poor and pray for an opportunity to help those in need.
Quotes
- While we dont have Jesus standing right before us, we have unlimited opportunities to serve Him as though He were.
- The great thing about serving the poor is that there is no competition. Eugene Rivers
- If you cant feed a hundred people, then feed just one.
Serving Christ by serving others.
What does the Bible say?
2. Deuteronomy 15:11 There will always be poor people in the land. That is why I command you to be ready to help your brother or sister. Give to the poor in your land who need help.
Instructions to the rich.
Bonus
Loving God By Loving Others
These are only a few of the scriptural admonishments about caring for the poor. The key takeaway here is that God is intimately invested in those that society tends to forget. When we recognize and respond to those on the fringes of societythe poor, the stranger, the foreigner, the imprisoned, we help bring His kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.
God doesn’t turn a blind eye towards the poor. He sees them and knows them by name. If He provides for the lowly birds of the fields, He certainly cares for those who He created in His image . For examples from the Bible, check out “5 Times Jesus Showed He Cared about the Poor” and “What Did Jesus Say About Serving the Poor?“
All Scripture references quote the New International Version unless otherwise noted.
Also Check: The Bible In Chronological Order
Loving To Do What Is Right
The more we do what is rightespecially in helping othersthe more we love to do what is right. Our good God loves to teach us to love to do good, reflecting his character. Through obedience, we are drawn closer to Christ and reflect his glory in the world.
Isaiah 1:17: Learn to do good seek justice, correct oppression bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause.
Christian Service: Serving Others And Seeking Social Justice
“Real religion, thekind that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless intheir plight, and guard against corruption from the godless world.” — James 1:27, TheMessage
What does Sacred Scripture have to say about helping needy people the poor, thehomeless, the orphans, and the widows? Are there Bible passages which clearly say we must have compassion for those who are poverty-stricken and that we should be giving to the lessfortunate? What biblical foundations are there for service to the vulnerable, to those who aremarginalized and to the oppressed?
How to care for the poor? How are we to provide for the hungry? What are we do to aboutthe marginalized who are treated unjustly? Here are instructions from the Bible. Looking forslogan for a promotion about helping the less fortunate, feeding the poor and ministering to thoseon the street asking for money? Use a phrase from one of the following Scripture verses as aslogan to promote helping others.
It’s clear from these passages that God cares about ourattitudes toward and actions regarding the hungry, the oppressed, the widows, the strangers, andthe or orphans. There are verses here that speak of God’s people being chastised for not treatingpoverty survivors as equals.
Unless otherwise specified, the wording in thebiblical passages is from the English language The New InternationalVersion.
— Howard Culbertson
New Testament passages
Don’t Miss: Maryland Bible College & Seminary
Wishful Thinking And Good Thoughts Are Never Enough
What do you do when you see a friend on social media say something like they just lost their job, or they are falling behind on their finances, or they are facing some high medical bills? I see too many people respond with comments like, Sending good thoughts your way,Hoping things work out for you, or the worst one is they just push the Like button on their comment. What do you do when you see a homeless man on the street with a sign that says he needs money or food? Im not saying you should stop and give him anything, but the worst thing you could do is roll down your car window and yell out, Hey Im praying for you!, and roll up your window again and drive away.
James 2:15-16 Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, Good-bye and have a good day stay warm and eat well but then you dont give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?
God commands us to put our faith and love into action and do something about the needs of the poor. He wants us to feed the hungry, to clothe the needy, and to help figure out ways to shelter the homeless in a way that will help them get back on their feet again.
Mothers And Sons: Being A Godly Influence
Rhonda Stoppe describes her early motherhood challenges of raising a son, which was intimidating to her. She found help through group of older women mentors. She urges moms to see their role as ministry in shaping sons to be good and godly men. Rhonda outlines several practical suggestions to moms about spiritual training, how to communicate with boys, and supporting the father-son relationship as a wife.
Read Also: What The Bible Says About Isolation
God Does Not Want Hollow Worship
“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelterwhen you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
“Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the Lord will answer you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
“If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.”
God often had to remind Israel that He wasn’t interested in rote disciplines. Their festivals and fasts didn’t mean anything to Him if they didn’t come from hearts that were compassionate, just, and generous.
It was God’s intent that Israel would be a light to the nations. But that only worked if they were able to demonstrate His love to those in their midst. This is why He constantly reminded them of their responsibility to the vulnerable and oppressed.
Effective Habits To Embrace In Parenting
To be an effective parent, you must be a leader in your childs life, guiding with a gentle hand and setting a solid example. Dr. Randy Schroeder provides the insight you need to be a leader-parent. As he explores the foundational Rsrelationship, routines, responsibilities, and rulesyoull better understand the role you play in your childs life. Youll learn great phrases to employ such as Either/Or/You Decide and When You/Then You. While there is no perfect parent, this nuts-and-bolts material will equip you to lead your child in a loving, confident manner.
Also Check: 365 Fear Not Bible Verses List
Tactics 10th Anniversary Edition: A Game Plan For Discussing Your Christian Convictions
In a world increasingly indifferent to Christian truth, followers of Christ need to be equipped to communicate with those who do not speak their language or accept their source of authority. In Tactics, 10th Anniversary Edition, Gregory Koukl demonstrates how to artfully regain control of conversations, keeping them moving forward in constructive ways through thoughtful diplomacy. Youll learn how to stop challengers in their tracks and how to turn the tables on questions or provocative statements. Most important, youll learn how to get people thinking about Jesus.
What About God And Poverty
God has compassion on the poor.
God calls human beings to reflect His compassion.
God judges those who mistreat the poor.
God blesses those who express His love towards the poor.
God promises a cosmic elimination of poverty.
God identifies with the poor.
Finally, consider this question and its answers as we erect a theology of poverty that will guide us with divine direction:
Don’t Miss: What Does The Bible Say About Eating Fat
Do Not Exploit The Poor In Court
“Do not exploit the poor because they are poor and do not crush the needy in court, for the Lord will take up their case and will exact life for life.”
In God’s eyes, the court was a place where the poor could go and receive justice. If the court system is corrupt and becomes a tool the rich can use to take advantage of the impoverished, where can they go for fairness?
When the courts abuse the most vulnerable people in society, God becomes their public defenderand they will get justice.
Option For The Poor And Vulnerable
A basic moral test is how our most vulnerable members are faring. In a society marred by deepening divisions between rich and poor, our tradition recalls the story of the Last Judgment and instructs us to put the needs of the poor and vulnerable first.
-
How does Gods love abide in anyone who has the worlds good and sees one in need and refuses to help?
Recommended Reading: Is The Bible In Chronological Order
Bible Verses About Laws Regarding The Poor
In the Old Testament, God gives a set of special laws through Leviticus that show how he set up systems to care for the poor and the foreigner. Those who owned land were told to leave the edges of their fields for those on the fringes of society to benefit from. In addition, every seventh year in the year of Jubilee, the Israelites followed Gods laws by forgiving any outstanding debts to prevent overwhelming poverty. What a great way to not only bless others who are less fortunate, but also protect our hearts from greed! Take a look at what the Bible says about poverty and how God set up laws and systems to support the poor.
When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap your field right up to its edge, neither shall you gather the gleanings after your harvest. And you shall not strip your vineyard bare, neither shall you gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard. You shall leave them for the poor and for the sojourner: I am the Lord your God.Leviticus 19:9-10
Leviticus 19:34The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God.
Leviticus 25:35If your brother becomes poor and cannot maintain himself with you, you shall support him as though he were a stranger and a sojourner, and he shall live with you.
Bible Verses Of Encouragement For The Poor
In the Bible, it is clear that those in poverty are close to Gods heart. Jesus himself was born into poverty and gave up his heavenly riches when he came down to earth. Constantly, the poor are said to be blessed and we are instructed to value integrity over riches. God has not forgotten the poor and instead calls all believers to join in his restorative work to bring hope and opportunity to them.
Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? James 2:5
You would shame the plans of the poor, but the Lord is his refuge.
Proverbs 19:1Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich man who is crooked in his ways.
Psalm 72:12-14For he delivers the needy when they call, the poor and those who have no helper.He has pity on the weak and the needy and saves the lives of the needy.From oppression and violence, he redeems their life precious is their blood in his sight.
2 Corinthians 8:9For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.
Proverbs 22:2The rich and the poor meet together the Lord is the maker of them all.
Read Also: Is The Bible Against Cremation
What Does The Lord Require Of You
Throughout Scripture, God reveals his heart for the poor. We see Gods concern for poor people when he speaks of the injustices toward them. Consider the prophets Amos and Micah. Although they were both ultimately getting at Israels heart-issue, in the process, they addressed Gods concern for the poor, Gods judgment on those who abuse the poor, and the reality of systemic injustice and the cycle of poverty.
The reason for someones poverty shouldnt determine the value we place on him or her, and the way we treat the poor around us is a reflection of how we view their Maker .
In light of Gods care for the poor people among us, how should we treat them? We should begin by remembering the words of Micah: Mankind, he has told each of you what is good and what it is the LORD requires of you: to act justly, to love faithfulness, and to walk humbly with your God . This should guide us as we seek to care for poor people the way that God does. Jesus perfectly exemplified the heart of God and didnt neglect the poor or their needs. In fact, he tenderly cared for the poor and often spoke about how we should treat them.
Marissa Postell currently serves as the managing editor of content at NRB. She graduated from Union University with a degree in public relations, where she served as the news editor of Cardinal & Cream, the schools student publication. As a writer, Marissa hopes to tell compelling narratives to equip the Read More
Serving Those Who Cannot Repay
“Then Jesus said to his host,’When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.'”
It’s completely natural to do nice things for the people you love or others who can return the favor. Jesus instructs His followers to go out of their way to do good to those who cannot reciprocate.
The beauty of this passage is that He’s not just asking His followers to give them money or bring them food. He’s asking them to do more than that. He’s encouraging us to go out of our way to celebrate them, to include them, to give them an evening they’ll never forget.
It’s fairly easy to throw a couple extra dollars in the offering plate for benevolence. It’s another thing entirely to go out of your way to make those on the outside feel like insiders.
Read Also: 365 Do Not Be Afraid Bible Verses
Who Are The Poor
Anyone who lacks sufficient money to live at a standard considered comfortable or normal in a society is considered poor. There are many reasons someone could be poor. Sometimes poverty is the result of foolish decisions , and other times poverty is no fault of ones own . Often, systemic injustices contribute to the cycle of poverty . Poverty, though, does not deprive a person of his or her humanness. Everyone bears the image of God because we are humanscreated by God and made in his image. The reason for someones poverty shouldnt determine the value we place on him or her, and the way we treat the poor around us is a reflection of how we view their Maker .