Introduction
The Bible has a lot to say about wealth, the poor, those in need, helping those in need, and how to handle these things in our lives. After long discussions with people about these topics, including both Christians and non-Christians, among friends and with people of different political views, and with people who feel very differently about how we should provide for those in need, and seeing that it is almost impossible to have such discussions without someone making some reference to the Bible, and seeing people quote scripture to support opposite and contradictory conclusions, I have decided to pull together as many Bible verses as I can find that deal with these topics, categorize them, and come to a clear picture of what the Bible actually says.
Some of the things that seem quite clear to me are that we are very definitely commanded to help the poor. We are commanded to do it quietly and without making a show of it, and we are commanded to do it directly. Nowhere did I find any verses suggesting the creation of elaborate systems of forced redistribution or any mention of poor people having to file an application of some kind to "prove their case" to some entity to receive assistance.
I found mention of verses that talk about rich people taking advantage of poor people, and I also found verses that talked about how to be responsible with the resources (including money) that you have.
If you are poor:
*Being poor is not a shameful thing
Proverbs 16:19 "Better to be lowly in spirit and among the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud."
Matthew 5:3: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
Proverbs 28:6 "Better a poor man whose walk is blameless than a rich man whose ways are perverse." (NIV)
Proverbs 16:8 "Better is a little with righteousness than great income with injustice. (NASB)
*Being poor helps you appreciate what you have
Proverbs 27:7 "A person who is full refuses honey, but even bitter food tastes sweet to the hungry." (NLT)
*God's promises and provision for the poor
Psalm 69:32-33 "The poor will see and be glad- you who seek God, may your hearts live! The LORD hears the needy and does not despise his captive people."
Psalm 14:6 "You evildoers frustrate the plans of the poor, but the Lord is their refuge." (NIV)
Psalm 35:10 "All my bones shall say, Lord, who is like You, You Who deliver the poor and the afflicted from him who is too strong for him, yes, the poor and the needy from him who snatches away his goods." (AMP)
Jeremiah 20:13 "Sing to the LORD! Give praise to the LORD! He rescues the life of the needy from the hands of the wicked."
Deuteronomy 8:18 "Thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day." (KJV)
Isaiah 41:17 "The poor and needy search for water, but there is none; their tongues are parched with thirst. But I the LORD will answer them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them."
Isaiah 25:4 "You have been a refuge for the poor, a refuge for the needy in his distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat. For the breath of the ruthless is like a storm driving against a wall."
Isaiah 29:19 "Once more the humble will rejoice in the LORD ; the needy will rejoice in the Holy One of Israel."
Proverbs 15:25 "The LORD tears down the proud man's house but he keeps the widow's boundaries intact."
Psalm 107:41 "But he lifted the needy out of their affliction and increased their families like flocks."
Psalm 109:31 "For he stands at the right hand of the needy one, to save his life from those who condemn him."
Psalm 112:9 "He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor, his righteousness endures forever; his horn will be lifted high in honor."
Psalm 113:7 "He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap;"
Psalm 132:15 "I will bless her with abundant provisions; her poor will I satisfy with food."
Psalm 140:12 "I know that the LORD secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy."
Psalm 146:7 "He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets prisoners free."
Psalm 146:9 "The LORD watches over the alien and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked."
Proverbs 13:23 "I know that the LORD secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy."
Psalm 9:9 "The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble."
Psalm 12:5 " Because of the oppression of the weak and the groaning of the needy, I will now arise, says the LORD, I will protect them from those who malign them. "
Psalm 34:6 "This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles."
Psalm 35:10 "My whole being will exclaim, Who is like you, 0 LORD? You rescue the poor from those too strong for them, the poor and needy from those who rob them.'"
Psalm 40:17 "Yet I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my help and my deliverer; O my God, do not delay."
Psalm 70:5 "Yet I am poor and needy; come quickly to me, O God. You are my help and my deliverer; O LORD , do not delay."
Psalm 68:5 "A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling."
Psalm 68:10 "Your people settled in it, and from your bounty, 0 God, you provided for the poor."
Psalm 72:4 "He will defend the afflicted among the people and save the children of the needy; he will crush the oppressor."
Psalm 72:12-13 "For he will deliver the needy who cry out, the afflicted who have no one to help. He will take pity on the weak and the needy and save the needy from death."
1 Samuel 2:8 "He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes and has them inherit a throne of honor."
*Spiritual Poverty:
2 Corinthians 8:9 "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." (KJV)
*The needs of the poor are promised even when the source of help isn't directly referenced as coming from God.
Job 31:16 "If I have denied the desires of the poor or let the eyes of the widow grow weary."
Job 29:12 "because I rescued the poor who cried for help, and the fatherless who had none to assist him."
Job 30:25 "Have I not wept for those in trouble? Has not my soul grieved for the poor?"
Isaiah 61:1 "The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners."
Psalm 9:18 "But the needy will not always be forgotten, nor the hope of the afflicted ever perish."
Psalm 37:25 "I have been young, and now am old; Yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his seed begging bread." (ASV)
Psalm 37:19 "They will not be disgraced in hard times; even in famine they will have more than enough." (NLT)
Deuteronomy 10:18 "He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the alien, giving him food and clothing."
Psalm 22:26 "The poor shall eat and be satisfied; Those who seek Him will praise the LORD. Let your heart live forever!" (NKJV)
**Things you can and should do for yourself if you are capable *Stewardship of resources: it is wise to invest money, to carefully consider the return on investment, to have enough to finish a project, and to spend it on important things
Repeated in Luke 19:15-26 Matthew 25: 14 For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. 15 And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. 16 Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. 17 And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. 18 But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money. 19 After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. 20 And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. 21 His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. 22 He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. 23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. 24 Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. 26 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: 27 Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. 28 Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. 29 For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. 30 And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
In context of considering the cost of following Christ: Luke 14:28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? 29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, 30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.
Matthew 13:18-23 18 Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. 19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. 20 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; 21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. 22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. 23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
Matthew 13:44-46 44 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. 45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: 46 Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.
"He who is faithful in what is least is also faithful in much. For if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?" (Luke 16:11-13)
*Helping the poor:
*Helping the poor begins with you if you are poor: Ask God for what you need
Matthew 7:9: Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Matthew 7:10: Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? Matthew 7:11: If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?
*Helping the poor then extends to you and your family: 1 Timothy 5:8: But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. *How to help the poor: practices for harvesting crops and leaving gleanings for the poor, forgiving debts, treat justly, give your extra things to those who are in lack
Exodus 23:11 "During the seventh year, let the land lie unplowed and unused. Then the poor among your people may get food from it, and the wild animals may eat what they leave. Do the same with your vineyard and your olive grove." (NIV)
Leviticus 19:10 "Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the alien. I am the LORD your God."
Leviticus 23:22 "When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Leave them for the poor and the alien. I am the LORD your God."
Deuteronomy 24:19-21 "When you are harvesting in your field and you overlook a sheaf, do not go back to get it. Leave it for the alien, the fatherless and the widow, so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. When you beat the olives from your trees, do not go over the branches a second time. Leave what remains for the alien, the fatherless and the widow. When you harvest the grapes in your vineyard, do not go over the vines again. Leave what remains for the alien, the fatherless and the widow."
Deuteronomy 15:9 "Be careful not to harbor this wicked thought: The seventh year, the year for canceling debts, is near, so that you do not show ill will toward your needy brother and give him nothing. He may then appeal to the LORD against you, and you will be found guilty of sin."
*How to give to the poor: give in secret and not to attract attention.
Matthew 6: 2-4: "Thus, when you give alms, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites in the synagogues and in the streets, that you may be praised by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be in secret; and your father who sees in secret will reward you."
Mark 12:41-44: And he sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the multitude putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came, and put in two copper coins, which make a penny. And he called his disciples to him, and said to them, "Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For they all contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, her whole living."
*How to help the poor: cheerfully
As every man purposeth in his heart, so let him give, not grudgingly or out of compulsion; for God loveth the cheerful giver.
*People should help, provide for, promote justice for, and Give to the poor
*Commands
Isaiah 58:6-7 "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 shelter- when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?"
James 1:27 "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 2:2-6 "Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, 'Here's a good seat for you,' but say to the poor man, 'You stand there' or 'Sit on the floor by my feet,' have you not discriminated among yourselves and becomes judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my dear brothers: 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? But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court?"
Luke 12:33 "Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys."
Luke 14:13 "...When you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind."
Zechariah 7:10 "Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. In your hearts do not think evil of each other."
1 Timothy 5:3 "Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need."
Proverbs 31:9 "Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy."
Isaiah 1:17 "Learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow."
Jeremiah 22:3 "This is what the LORD says: Do what is just and right. Rescue from the hand of his oppressor the one who has been robbed. Do no wrong or violence to the alien, the fatherless or the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place."
Psalm 74:21 "Do not let the oppressed retreat in disgrace; may the poor and needy praise your name."
Psalm 82:3-4 "Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked."
*Examples
Matthew 25:35 "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in."
Acts 9:36 "In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which, when translated, is Dorcas), who was always doing good and helping the poor."
Acts 10:4 "Cornelius stared at him in fear. What is it, Lord?' he asked. The angel answered, Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God.'"
Acts 24:17 "After an absence of several years, I came to Jerusalem to bring my people gifts for the poor and to present offerings."
Galatians 2:10 "All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do."
Jeremiah 22:16 "'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."
Ezekiel 22:29 "The people of the land practice extortion and commit robbery; they oppress the poor and needy and mistreat the alien, denying them justice."
Jeremiah 5:28 " They have grown fat and sleek. Their evil deeds have no limit; they do not plead the case of the fatherless to win it, they do not defend the rights of the poor."
*The rich have certain charitable responsibilities. They should not be arrogant, or put their hope in wealth, to do good deeds, to share, do justly, and practice mercy
1 Timothy 6:17-19 "Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life." (NIV)
Jesus said: "Woe to you Pharisees! For you TITHE mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass by justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone." (Luke 11:42) "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay TITHE of mint and anise and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone." (Matt 23:23)
*It is sometimes appropriate to NOT give to the poor:
Matthew 26:6-13 6 Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, 7 There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat. 8 But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste? 9 For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor. 10 When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me. 11 For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always. 12 For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial. 13 Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her.
*Treat both rich and poor with equal justice
Leviticus 19:15 "Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly."
Deuteronomy 24:17 "Do not deprive the alien or the fatherless of justice, or take the cloak of the widow as a pledge."
Deuteronomy 27:19 "'Cursed is the man who withholds justice from the alien, the fatherless or the widow.' Then all the people shall say, Amen!'"
Proverbs 22:22-23 "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 plunder those who plunder them." (NIV)
Exodus 22:22 "Do not take advantage of a widow or an orphan." (NIV)
Psalm 82:3 "Defend the poor and fatherless; Do justice to the afflicted and needy." (NKJV)
Deuteronomy 15:7 "If there is a poor man among your brothers in any of the towns of the land that the LORD your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother."
Proverbs 31:8-9 "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy." (NIV)
*We are repeatedly commanded to help and give to the poor the things they need. Acts 20:35 "In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"
Deuteronomy 15:7-11 "If there is among you a poor man of your brethren, within any of the gates in your land which the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart nor shut your hand from your poor brother, but you shall open your hand wide to him and willingly lend him sufficient for his need, whatever he needs. Beware lest there be a wicked thought in your heart, saying, 'The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand,' and your eye be evil against your poor brother and you give him nothing, and he cry out to the LORD against you, and it become sin among you. You shall surely give to him, and your heart should not be grieved when you give to him, because for this thing the LORD your God will bless you in all your works and in all to which you put your hand. For the poor will never cease from the land; therefore I command you, saying, 'You shall open your hand wide to your brother, to your poor and your needy, in your land.' " (NKJV)
Matthew 19:21 "Jesus answered, 'If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.'" (NIV)
1 John 3:17-18 "If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth." (NIV)
Matthew 25:31: When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: Matthew 25:32: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: Matthew 25:33: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Matthew 25:34: 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: Matthew 25:35: 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: Matthew 25:36: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Matthew 25:37: Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? Matthew 25:38: When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Matthew 25:39: Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? Matthew 25:40: 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. Matthew 25:41: Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: Matthew 25:42: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: Matthew 25:43: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Matthew 25:44: Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Matthew 25:45: Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. Matthew 25:46: And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.
Luke 10:8-11: Jesus replied, "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was; when he saw him, he had compassion, and went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; then he set him on his own beast and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, 'Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.' Which of these three, do you think, proved neighbor to the man who fell among robbers?" He said, "The one who showed mercy on him." And Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."
Luke 6:37-38: "Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For the measure you give will be the measure you get back,"
Matthew 5:39-42: "...But I say to you, Do not resist one who is evil. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also; and if any one would sue you and take your coat, let him have your cloak as well; and if any one forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to him who begs from you, and do not refuse him who would borrow from you."
Matthew 19:21-24: Jesus said to him, "If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful; for he had great possessions.
Luke 10-14: And the multitudes asked him, "What then shall we do?" And he answered them, "He who has two coats, let him share with him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise." Tax collectors also came to be baptized, and said to him, "Teacher, what shall we do?" And he said to them, "Collect no more than is appointed you." Soldiers also asked him, "And we, what shall we do?" And he said to them, "Rob no one by violence or by false accusation, and be content with your wages."
*Government involvement in helping the poor includes justice, protection of rights, and condemns oppression:
Exodus 23:6 "Do not deny justice to your poor people in their lawsuits." (NIV)
Ecclesiastes 5:8 "If you see the poor oppressed in a district, and justice and rights denied, do not be surprised at such things; for one official is eyed by a higher one, and over them both are others higher still."
Isaiah 3:14-15 "The LORD enters into judgment against the elders and leaders of his people: It is you who have ruined my vineyard; the plunder from the poor is in your houses. What do you mean by crushing my people and grinding the faces of the poor?' declares the Lord, the LORD Almighty."
Proverbs 28:3 "A ruler who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain that leaves no crops."
*Rewards for helping the poor
Proverbs 14:21 "He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who is kind to the needy."
Proverbs 28:27 "He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses." (NIV)
Proverbs 22:9 "A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor." (NIV)
Proverbs 19:17 "He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will reward him for what he has done." (NIV)
Isaiah 58:10 "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." (NIV)
*Punishment for not helping the poor:
Proverbs 17:5 "He who mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker; whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished." (NIV)
Proverbs 22:22-23 "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 plunder those who plunder them." (NIV)
Ezekiel 16:49 "Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy." (NIV)
Proverbs 29:7 "The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern." (NIV)
Proverbs 14:31 "He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God." (NIV)
Proverbs 21:13 "If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and not be answered." (NIV)
Matthew 25:41-45 "Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.' They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?' He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least among you, you did not do for
*If you are rich: *It is not a bad thing to be prosperous or gain wealth honestly
3 John 2 "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth." (KJV)
*Seeking wealth:
*Do not seek gain through greed. Some of these verses make it sound like they are opposed to what we might in our day refer to as "social justice".
Luke 12:13 And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me. 14 And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you? 15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
Matthew 20:1 For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. 2And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, 4And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way. 5Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise. 6And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle? 7They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive. 8 So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. 9And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. 10But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny. 11And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, 12Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. 13But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? 14Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. 15Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? 16So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen. *Wealth does not solve all problems
Proverbs 16:8 "Better is a little with righteousness than great income with injustice. (NASB)
Proverbs 28:11 "A rich man may be wise in his own eyes, but a poor man who has discernment sees through him." (NIV)
Proverbs 22:1 "A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold." (NIV)
Proverbs 11:4 "Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death." (NIV)
*Money is not something to be served, devoted to, or loved, nor should the gain of riches be your primary goal. There are more important things and there are non-physical things worth even more
Matthew 6:19-21: "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will be your heart also."
Matthew 6:24 "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money."
Matthew 16:24-26 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. 26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
Matthew 6:25: Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Matthew 6:26: Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Matthew 6:27: Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? Matthew 6:28: And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: Matthew 6:29: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Matthew 6:30: Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Matthew 6:31: Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? Matthew 6:32: (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. Matthew 6:33: But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:34: Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
*Warnings to those who are rich
Malachi 3:5 " So I will come near to you for judgment. I will be quick to testify against sorcerers, adulterers and perjurers, against those who defraud laborers of their wages, who oppress the widows and the fatherless, and deprive aliens of justice, but do not fear me,' says the LORD Almighty."
Proverbs 22:16 "He who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth and he who gives gifts to the rich-both come to poverty."
Luke 16:14-15: And the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all this, and they scoffed at him. But he said to them, "You are those who justify themselves before men, but God knows your hearts; for what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God."
Luke 6:24: "But woe to you that are rich, for you have received your consolation."
Matthew 19:20: The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? Matthew 19:21: Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. Matthew 19:22: But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. Matthew 19:23: Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 19:24: And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
Luke 12:15-21 15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. 16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: 17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? 18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. 20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? 21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
*Wages and employers: Pay your employees fairly and quickly, be content with your wages, and don't be jealous of other workers who are shown more favor than you.
Deuteronomy 24:14Thou shalt not oppress an hired servant that is poor and needy, whether he be of thy brethren, or of thy strangers that are in thy land within thy gates: 15At his day thou shalt give him his hire, neither shall the sun go down upon it; for he is poor, and setteth his heart upon it: lest he cry against thee unto the LORD, and it be sin unto thee.
Luke 10-14: And the multitudes asked him, "What then shall we do?" And he answered them, "He who has two coats, let him share with him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise." Tax collectors also came to be baptized, and said to him, "Teacher, what shall we do?" And he said to them, "Collect no more than is appointed you." Soldiers also asked him, "And we, what shall we do?" And he said to them, "Rob no one by violence or by false accusation, and be content with your wages."
Matthew 20:1-16: "For the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And going out about the third hour, he saw others standing idle in the market place; and to them he said, 'You go into the vineyard too, and whatever is right I will give you.' So they went. Going out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour, he did the same. And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing; and he said to them, 'Why do you stand here idle all day?' They said to him, 'Because no one has hired us.' He said to them, "You fo into the vineyard too.' And when evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his steward, 'Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last, up to the first.' And when those hired about the eleventh hour came, each of them received a denarius. Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received a denarius. And on receiving it they grumbled at the householder, saying, 'These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat. But he replied to one of them, 'Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take what belongs to you, and go; I choose to give to this last as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?' So the last will be first, and the first last."
*On taxes: Tax collectors should be honest, taxes should be paid when due, but don't neglect your duty to God.
Luke 10-14: And the multitudes asked him, "What then shall we do?" And he answered them, "He who has two coats, let him share with him who has none; and he who has food, let him do likewise." Tax collectors also came to be baptized, and said to him, "Teacher, what shall we do?" And he said to them, "Collect no more than is appointed you." Soldiers also asked him, "And we, what shall we do?" And he said to them, "Rob no one by violence or by false accusation, and be content with your wages."
Matthew 16:24-27: When they came to Capernaum, the collectors of the half-shekel tax went up to Peter and said, "Does not your teacher pay the tax?" He said, "Yes." And when he came home, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, "What do you think, Simon? From who do kings of the earth take tool or tribute? From their sons or from others?" And when he said, "From others," Jesus said to him, "Then the sons are free. However, not to give offense to them, go to the sea and cast a hook, and take the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth you will find a shekel; take that and give it to them for me and for yourself."
Matthew 22:18-21: But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, "Why put me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me the money for the tax." And they brought him a coin. And Jesus said to them, "Whose likeness and inscription is this?" They said, "Caesar's." Then he said to them, "Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's."
*Other verses: Matthew 10:9-10: "Take no gold, nor silver, nor copper in your belts, no bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor a staff; for the laborer deserves his food."
Matthew 9:10-13: And he sat at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Jesus and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" But when he heard it, he said, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, 'I desire mercy, and not a sacrifice.' For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.
Matthew 11:7-8: As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: "What did you go out into the wilderness to behold? A reed shaken by the wind? Why then did you go out? To see a man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, those who wear soft raiment are in kings' houses."
1 Corinthians 16:14 "Do everything in love." (NIV)
Don't be tempted by riches: Matthew 4:8-4:10: Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain, and showed him the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them, and he said to him, "All of these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me." Then Jesus said to him, "Begone, Satan! for it is written, "You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.'"
Repeated John 2:13-17 Matthew 21:12-13: And Jesus entered the temple of God and drove out all who sold and bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. He said to the, "It is written, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer'; but you have made it a den of robbers."