What Does the Bible Tells Us About Poverty And The Poor

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According to the Bible, the poor are near and dear to God’s heart. How we treat those in poverty is a significant concern throughout the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation. You cannot have the gospel of Jesus and neglect the call to care for the poor, needy, marginalised, and the outcast.

The book of Proverbs speaks continually about poverty and how we should treat those that are poor and needy. Proverbs 31:9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy. Proverbs 22:22-23 Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate: For the Lord will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that destroyed them.

God is warning those that are in abundance that they must share their good fortune among those that are in poverty. God knows that sin is the reason that there is poverty in our world. Therefore, he left us instructions as to how we can make amends to help the poor.

Proverbs 3:27-28 Withhold not good from them to whom it is due when it is in the power of thine hand to do it. Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and tomorrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee. Clearly, God is saying here that we cannot withhold good from them that it is due, and we cannot turn someone away when they are in need.

When you give generously to those in need, then God will ensure that your coffers continue to be, replenished as he told us here in Proverbs 11:25 The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall also be, watered himself.

God takes a dim view about people who oppresses the poor and mistreat them, and he explained what his judgement would be for those who do so in Proverbs 14:21 He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.