The Bible has a lot to say about giving to the poor and needy. Throughout the Old and New Testaments, God commands His people to care for the less fortunate and marginalized members of society. Here is an overview of some of the key biblical principles about giving to the poor:
1. Caring for the poor is commanded by God
Numerous verses establish caring for the poor as a divine mandate, not merely a suggestion. For example, Proverbs 14:31 states, “Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him.” Similarly, Proverbs 19:17 declares, “Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.” In the New Testament, 1 John 3:17 sternly warns, “But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?” God clearly desires His people to show compassion to the poor.
2. Give generously and sacrificially
Scripture encourages generous giving that requires sacrifice, not merely giving from our excess. For instance, King David says in 1 Chronicles 21:24, “I will not take for the Lord what is yours, or sacrifice a burnt offering that costs me nothing.” Likewise, the apostle Paul commends the Macedonians for giving “beyond their means” and “sacrificially” to help others (2 Corinthians 8:3). Our giving to the poor should be measured against the enormous sacrifice Christ made for us.
3. Give cheerfully and secretly
The manner in which we give is as important as the amount we give. God desires us to help the needy cheerfully instead of begrudgingly (2 Corinthians 9:7). He also exhorts us to give discreetly and secretly when possible, rather than flamboyantly to earn praise (Matthew 6:2-4). Our motives and methods in giving matter greatly to God.
4. The local church should make caring for the poor a priority
Within the early church, collecting money and other resources for poor believers was a key function of local congregations. Paul frequently gathered offerings from churches to help the church in Jerusalem (Romans 15:25-27, 1 Corinthians 16:1-4). James rebukes the church for showing favoritism to the rich over the poor (James 2:1-9). The local church body has a special responsibility to provide for the needs of fellow believers who are impoverished (1 Timothy 5:3-16).
5. The poor have a special place in God’s heart
Scripture frequently notes God’s unique concern for the poor and His anger at those who oppress them. Psalms 9:18 observes that God does not “forget the cry of the afflicted.” Similarly, Proverbs 15:15 states, “the LORD is…concerned for the poor.” God identifies and cares for the poor, and He expects His people to show them dignity and compassion as well.
6. How we treat the poor reflects our spiritual condition
Numerous verses, such as Proverbs 14:31 and Matthew 25:31-46, make clear that how we respond to the poor indicates the true state of our spiritual lives. If we refuse to share with those in need, the love of Christ is not really abiding in us according to 1 John 3:17. Our compassion for the poor exhibits whether we understand grace.
7. Giving to the poor pleases the Lord
God takes delight when His people give generously to those in need with the right heart. Proverbs 19:17 declares, “Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will repay him for his deed.” Similarly, Hebrews 13:16 states, “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” God remembers and blesses those who show mercy to the poor.
8. There are blessings for giving to the poor
While we should not give to the poor solely for promised benefits, Scripture does connect numerous blessings with caring for the needy. Proverbs 22:9 says, “Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor.” Jesus goes as far as promising treasure in heaven for those who give to the poor (Luke 12:33). Giving generously and cheerfully does lead to blessing from the Lord.
9. Caring for the poor involves more than just money
Donating money is part of showing compassion to the poor, but it is often not sufficient on its own. Jesus modeled bringing the poor healing and comfort, not just monetary relief (Luke 4:18-19). James 1:27 explains that pure religion includes visiting “orphans and widows in their affliction.” We must be willing to generously give our time, talents, and comfort to the poor as well.
10. Failing to help the poor is sinful
The Bible strongly warns against neglecting the poor. Failing to care for them is equated with murdering or defrauding them in verses like Proverbs 21:13 and Ezekiel 16:49. The rich man was condemned in Luke 16:19-31 for refusing to help the beggar Lazarus. In the parable of the sheep and the goats, the goats are damned for not aiding Jesus in the form of the “least of these” (Matthew 25:41-46). We face judgment for choosing not to help the poor.
11. Only a few verses actually encourage giving to beggars
While Scripture commands us to generously aid the poor in their affliction, it places some limits on supporting able-bodied beggars demanding handouts. Passages like 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12 instruct that those unwilling to work should not eat. Most verses about giving to the poor have in mind those unable to provide for themselves due to disadvantages or calamity. We should wisely discern true needs.
12. We must address injustice that causes poverty
In addition to meeting immediate needs, Scripture exhorts us to defend the vulnerable from exploitation and seek justice for the oppressed. Isaiah 1:17 urges, “Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause.” Advocating for reforms that prevent people from falling into poverty is important. Handouts don’t solve everything.
13. Poverty at times results from sin and foolishness
While disadvantage and misfortune often lead to poverty, Scripture frankly acknowledges that sinful and foolish choices result in poverty as well. Examples like the prodigal son and the sluggard in Proverbs 6:9-11 illustrate this. While we must still show compassion, poverty sometimes results from character flaws that enabling will not help.
14. Wealth does not excuse lack of generosity
Some wealthy believers in Scripture gave sacrificially to the poor, but far more did not share their abundance as they ought to have. The rich fool in Luke 12:16-21 was condemned for hoarding all his grain in bigger barns. James 5:1-6 rebukes the wicked rich who lived in luxury while defrauding poor laborers. Wealthy believers especially must avoid greed by giving generously.
15. Government-mandated giving is no substitute for voluntary charity
Scripture gives no indication that divinely-mandated care for the poor should be outsourced to the government through taxes and redistribution of wealth. Passages about giving assume voluntary, cheerful generosity from a willing heart. Forced confiscation of property contradicts principles like 2 Corinthians 9:7. Government aid should not replace personal charity.
16. Giving to the poor should be motivated by the Gospel
For Christians, caring for the poor is ultimately an outworking of the Gospel. Because Christ generously gave Himself for us, we joyfully give ourselves and resources to others, especially the poor (2 Corinthians 8:9). Believers’ radical generosity stems from experiencing God’s grace. We give because we have infinitely received from Jesus.
17. Jesus closely identified with the poor
The incarnate Son of God could have been born into prestigious earthly circumstances, but instead He took on the poverty and humble conditions of a servant (Philippians 2:5-8). Jesus is introduced by Mary in the Magnificat as one who would fill the poor and hungry but send the unrepentant rich away empty (Luke 1:46-55). The King of Kings closely identified with the “least of these.”
18. Early Christians demonstrated unprecedented generosity to the poor in Roman culture
In contrast to the selfishness and lavish lifestyles of the Roman elite, the early church was characterized by radical generosity and sacrificial giving to help the poor. Their countercultural care for the marginalized helped fuel the spread of Christianity. Believers’ charity incarnated the love of Christ in practical ways Roman paganism lacked.
19. Giving to the poor is connected to repentance and seeking righteousness
When the Jewish and Gentile audiences asked Peter and Paul “what must we do?” in response to hearing the Gospel, caring for the poor was one of the key repentant behaviors both apostles exhorted (Acts 2:37-39, 3:26, 24:17). Scripture closely connects charity with pursuing righteousness by grace. Compassion for the poor flows from the transformed heart.
20. Loving our neighbor includes caring for both their material and spiritual poverty
Scripture exhorts compassion for those in material need, but also caring for those in spiritual poverty without Christ. As we feed the physically hungry, we must point them to the Bread of Life who alone satisfies eternally (John 6:35). Good deeds should be accompanied by sharing the Gospel that addresses humanity’s greatest need – rescue from sin.
In summary, Scripture clearly and repeatedly emphasizes God’s compassion for the poor and His commands to His people to care for the disadvantaged. As Christians, giving generously to the poor should be a hallmark of our lives individually and collectively as the church. This honors God and serves as a witness to the transformative power of the Gospel. Caring for the poor in both word and deed expresses the love of Christ to the watching world.