The Bible portrays homelessness not just as a physical state but also a spiritual and emotional one, highlighting the significance of charitable behavior, compassion, empathy and acceptance.
Who the Bible Encourages us to Assist
Fundamentally, the Bible guides believers to exhibit love and kindness towards all individuals, including individuals who’re homeless. In it, God doesn’t differentiate based on social status, wealth, or living conditions. Rather, the Bible portrays a vision of societal wellness rooted in mutual support. By narrating stories of assisting the less privileged, it instills valuable life lessons about assuming responsibility for the well-being of others and exhibiting kindness to homeless individuals and other vulnerable groups.
What the Bible Teaches About Empathy Towards Homelessness
The Bible teaches multiple lessons about extending empathy to the homeless, emphasizing the power of selflessness and generosity. It calls for understanding and sharing the feelings of those without secure housing and underscores the potential benefits derived from acts of compassion. The Bible portrays empathy as an essential attribute of a virtuous and spirit-filled life and encourages individuals to demonstrate it towards homeless persons.
Where the Bible Encourages Generosity Towards the Homeless
From the pages of the Bible, generosity should not be limited to one’s immediate communal or familial circles. It should extend far and wide, transcending geographical confines. The Bible advocates for an all-reaching generosity, especially towards individuals who are homeless wherever they are found. It teaches that acts of selflessness and compassion towards them should not be localized but should pervade every corner of the Earth. Giving unto the homeless, according to the Bible, is a reflection of one’s relationship with God.
Why the Bible Instructs Love for the Homeless
The Bible instructs its followers to love their neighbors, with no specified limitation regarding who a ‘neighbor’ is. This implies that homeless individuals, in the light of the biblical teachings, qualify just as anyone else. The Bible underscores the vital role of love in eradicating society’s inequalities and supports unreserved, unbiased love towards the homeless. It emphasizes that love, beyond being an emotion, is a principle that can effect monumental change in society when channelled appropriately.
When the Bible Calls for Care for the Homeless
In the Bible, the call to care for the homeless is timeless and persistent. It is not isolated to certain seasons, situations or generations. The divine mandate to provide help, show compassion, and share resources with homeless individuals is applicable anytime and every time. In essence, as the Bible teaches, caring for the homeless ought not to be a momentary, fleeting act of charity. Instead, it should be a sustained practice, deeply ingrained in the fabric of human character and exhibited continually.
Below is the full list of bible verses on homelessness (King James Version – KJV). The list is ranked in order of popularity and we hope you find the inspiration you need.
Most Popular Bible Verses About Homelessness
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.”
Related Themes: Strangers Business Money Serving The Poor
Matthew 8:20
“20 And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.”
Related Themes: Poverty
Proverbs 14:31
“31 He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.”
Related Themes: Serving The Poor Money Oppression Greed
Matthew 25:35
“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:”
Related Themes: Strangers Serving Others
Isaiah 58:7
“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?”
Related Themes: Strangers Benevolence Sharing Hospitality
Proverbs 28:27
“27 He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.”
Related Themes: Money Benevolence Serving The Poor Giving
Proverbs 22:9
“9 He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.”
Related Themes: Lust Money Finances Serving The Poor
Psalm 140:12
“12 I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and the right of the poor.”
Related Themes: Justice Serving The Poor Abuse Poverty
Proverbs 21:13
“13 Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.”
Related Themes: Protests Serving The Poor Charity Generosity
Deuteronomy 15:11
“11 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, and to thy needy, in thy land.”
Related Themes: Strangers Serving The Poor Serving Others
Luke 14:13-14
“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.”
Related Themes: Equality Money Serving The Poor
Luke 3:10-11
“10 And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then?11 He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.”
Related Themes: Serving Others Serving The Poor
Ezekiel 16:49
“49 Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.”
Related Themes: Idleness Pride Attitude Abomination
Leviticus 25:35
“35 And if thy brother be waxen poor, and fallen in decay with thee; then thou shalt relieve him: yea, though he be a stranger, or a sojourner; that he may live with thee.”
Luke 14:13
“13 But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind:”
Related Themes: Equality Money Serving The Poor
1 Corinthians 4:11
“11 Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace;”
Related Themes: Greed
Proverbs 29:7
“7 The righteous considereth the cause of the poor: but the wicked regardeth not to know it.”
Related Themes: Justice Serving The Poor Poverty Equality
Luke 6:20-21
“20 And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.21 Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.”
Related Themes: Poverty Serving The Poor Hate
Luke 12:33-34
“33 Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
1 Timothy 6:17-19
“17 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;18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.”
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:”
Related Themes: Serving The Poor Benevolence Serving Others Service
Philippians 4:19
“19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
Matthew 25:40
“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.”
Related Themes: Strangers Benevolence Serving Others
Deuteronomy 15:7
“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:”
Matthew 25:34-40
“34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: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.”
Related Themes: Hospitality Benevolence Kindness
Luke 9:58
“58 And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.”
Leviticus 25:35-36
“35 And if thy brother be waxen poor, and fallen in decay with thee; then thou shalt relieve him: yea, though he be a stranger, or a sojourner; that he may live with thee.36 Take thou no usury of him, or increase: but fear thy God; that thy brother may live with thee.”
Matthew 25:35-36
“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.”
Related Themes: Strangers Serving Others
Psalm 35:10
“10 All my bones shall say, LORD, who is like unto thee, which deliverest the poor from him that is too strong for him, yea, the poor and the needy from him that spoileth him?”
Related Themes: Serving The Poor
Luke 12:33
“33 Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.”
