Poverty is a subject extensively referenced in the Bible, embodying a complex social phenomenon that evokes the virtues of compassion, empathy, generosity, and justice. The Bible offers profound insights about poverty, spotlighting the moral and spiritual obligations towards the poor, making it a foundational concept in Christian theology. In discussing poverty, the Bible uncovers various aspects of social, political, and economic life and behavior aiming at creating a just and fair society.
What the Bible Says About the Causes of Poverty
The Bible includes narratives about poverty and its intricacies. The causes of poverty, as described in the Bible, encompass a broad spectrum, from oppression and unjust systems to unforeseen calamities and personal choices. It points out that societal structures, political decisions, and economic systems can perpetuate poverty, especially when they favor the rich at the expense of the poor. It underlines systemic injustice and oppression as compelling drivers of poverty. At the same time, the Bible acknowledges that poverty can result from personal choices and circumstances or unpredictable calamities and misfortunes. It talks about laziness, lack of discipline, and imprudence as potential factors for individual impoverishment, as well as random occurrences like floods, famines, or wars causing widespread destitution.
Why Poverty Challenges Believers
The Bible links the presence of poverty to the moral, ethical, and spiritual responsibilities of believers. It communicates a clear message that assisting the poor, the less fortunate, and the needy is not optional but a commandment for those who follow the Bible’s teachings. The Bible repeatedly invites believers to show compassion towards the poor, emphasizing that this is an integral part of living a godly life. It challenges believers to extend their generosity and kindness beyond their immediate circle, asking them to look after the poor, the foreigners, the widows, and the orphans. The Bible places much importance on righteous economic relations, urging for fairness, justice, and equity in dealings and transactions.
How the Bible Perceives Wealth and Poverty
The Bible’s perspective on wealth and poverty goes beyond the material plane, shedding light on the spiritual dimensions linked to these states. It suggests that wealth doesn’t necessarily imply blessing, nor does poverty denote a curse. Instead, it elevates the principle that one’s value isn’t determined by earthly riches but by their spiritual wealth. The Bible neither romanticizes poverty nor denigrates wealth; it rather presents them as existential states that demand varying responses. Wealth, in its biblical rendering, does not imply hoarding riches, but to use one’s riches to support the poor and contribute to societal well-being. Similarly, poverty is not seen as a symbol of virtuousness but a situation inviting the intervention and support from others.
Where the Bible Stands on Poverty Alleviation
The blueprint for poverty alleviation as presented in the Bible is rooted in justice, mercy, and compassion. It presents a vital role for believers, churches, and communities in combating poverty. The Bible argues that encountering poverty isn’t a passive observation but a call to action. It prescribes acts of charity, kindness, fair trade, debt forgiveness, and equitable resource distribution as means of poverty alleviation. It calls upon believers to share their wealth and resources, act justly, and uphold the dignity and rights of the poor. The Bible’s stance on poverty isn’t merely theoretical; it demands practical action to bring about justice, peace, and integrity in society.
Below is the full list of bible verses on poverty (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 Poverty
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.”
Related Themes: Strangers Homelessness
Proverbs 22:2
“2 The rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the maker of them all.”
Related Themes: Homelessness Money Equality Serving The Poor
2 Corinthians 8:9
“9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.”
Related Themes: Homelessness Money Prosperity Benevolence
Proverbs 20:13
“13 Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.”
Related Themes: Idleness Laziness Homelessness Discipline
Proverbs 31:8-9
“8 Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.”
Related Themes: Homelessness Justice Standing Up For Others
Proverbs 28:6
“6 Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.”
Related Themes: Integrity Business Homelessness Honesty
Ecclesiastes 9:16
“16 Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.”
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: Homelessness Serving The Poor Hate
Proverbs 17:5
“5 Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.”
Related Themes: Homelessness Mocking Serving The Poor
Proverbs 29:7
“7 The righteous considereth the cause of the poor: but the wicked regardeth not to know it.”
Related Themes: Homelessness Justice Serving The Poor Equality
1 John 3:17
“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?”
Related Themes: Homelessness Selfishness Money Serving The Poor
Proverbs 22:7
“7 The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.”
Proverbs 28:11
“11 The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.”
Related Themes: Discernment Wisdom
Proverbs 24:33-34
“33 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:34 So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man.”
Related Themes: Idleness
Luke 12:32-34
“32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.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.”
Psalm 103:6
“6 The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.”
Related Themes: Justice Abuse Oppression
Proverbs 19:4
“4 Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbour.”
Related Themes: Homelessness
Leviticus 19:9-10
“9 And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not wholly reap the corners of thy field, neither shalt thou gather the gleanings of thy harvest.10 And thou shalt not glean thy vineyard, neither shalt thou gather every grape of thy vineyard; thou shalt leave them for the poor and stranger: I am the LORD your God.”
Related Themes: Reaping Strangers Business Reaping Homelessness
Proverbs 21:5
“5 The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.”
Related Themes: Business Money Finances Setting Goals Planning
Proverbs 15:16
“16 Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.”
1 Samuel 2:8
“8 He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the LORD’S, and he hath set the world upon them.”
Related Themes: Earth Homelessness Serving The Poor
Amos 5:24
“24 But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream.”
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: Homelessness
Proverbs 29:13
“13 The poor and the deceitful man meet together: the LORD lighteneth both their eyes.”
Luke 4:16-21
“16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.17 And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written,18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.20 And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.21 And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.”
Related Themes: Omnipotence 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: Homelessness Justice Serving The Poor Abuse
James 2:5
“5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?”
Related Themes: Homelessness Serving The Poor Money Favoritism Inheritance
Luke 1:53
“53 He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.”
Isaiah 41:17
“17 When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the LORD will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them.”
Related Themes: Serving The Poor Homelessness Water
Proverbs 30:7-9
“7 Two things have I required of thee; deny me them not before I die:8 Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me:9 Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.”
Related Themes: Stealing
