Scriptures on Poverty

The Word of God is full of references to the poor, and of the Christian’s responsibility to help care for them.  Here are some of my favorites:

• “For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability.  Entirely on their own…At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need.  Then there will be equality.”  –2 Corinthians 8:3, 14

[Note from JJ:  I can't help but think about the fact that I need the poor as much as they need me.  As Wess Stafford says, without each other, "They die in need and we die in greed."  They certainly need my financial support, but equally so -- I need their joy, contentment and strong faith in trials.  We need each other so desperately.]

• “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this:  to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”  –James 1:27
• “But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind…”  –Luke 14:13
• “See that you do not look down on one of these little ones.  For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.”  –Matthew 18:10
• “He who oppressed the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.”  –Proverbs 14:31
• “He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses.”  –Proverbs 28:27
• “He defended the cause of the poor and needy, and so all went well.  Is that not what it means to know me?” declares the Lord.”  –Jeremiah 22:16

~ by Juli Jarvis on July 27, 2008.