What Are Some ‘Help the Poor’ Bible Verses?

God’s heart for the vulnerable of the world is evident throughout Scripture. We can find ‘help the poor’ Bible verses from both the Old and the New Testaments. The first time we see clear commands about our treatment of the poor is in Exodus when God begins to give His people, the Israelites, His Law.

Exodus 22:25 is the first command about the poor:

“If you lend money to any of my people with you who is poor, you shall not be like a moneylender to him, and you shall not exact interest from him.”

This is a clear mandate to not take advantage of those who have less and need assistance in their circumstances. There are many lenders and extortionists in the world who will lend money and exact a very high interest rate with extreme terms on the loan. If a person is not literate, as is often the case for those in extreme poverty, they cannot understand what they agree to.

God is also very clear about non-preferential treatment, either for the rich or the poor. In Exodus 23:3 and 6, Exodus 23:11 and Exodus 30:15, God’s instructions are for justice and equality of all people, no matter their circumstances. Prejudice and gender disparity are still major concerns worldwide. Women, children and the elderly have higher rates of poverty, illiteracy and illness.2 3 4

The Book of Proverbs provides some of the best wisdom when it comes to God’s heart for the poor. Proverbs 14:21 tells us,

“Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner, but blessed is he who is generous to the poor.”

Likewise, Proverbs 14:31 says,

“Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him.”

Proverbs 22:9 speaks of how we look on the poor with,

“Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor.”

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