31 Bible Verses about Poverty, Attitudes Towards

distribute to the necessity of the saints; cultivate hospitality.

therefore as we have opportunity, let us do good offices to all men, especially to the family of believers.

suppose one of your brethren should be destitute of cloths, and of his daily nourishment, and one of you should thus address him; "go and prosper, I wish you a warm fire, and a full meal:" without relieving his wants, would he be the better for your wish?

he that possesses the enjoyments of life, and seeing his brother in want, has no compassion for him, how can he be said to have any divine love?

when any one, adorn'd with a gold ring, and a splendid dress, enters into your assembly; and a poor man comes in meanly habited: if you should respectfully say to the suit of fine cloths, sit you there, that's for quality; and to the poor man, stand thou there, or place your self at my feet: have not you made an arbitrary distinction, don't your judgments flow from a vicious principle?

he answer'd them, let him that hath two coats give one to him that hath none; and let him that has plenty of provisions act in like manner.

At Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha, that is in Greek, Dorcas: this woman was very active in all the offices of benevolence and charity.

but Zaccheus address'd himself to Jesus, and said, Lord, half my estate I give to the poor; and if I have wrong'd any man, I will give him four times the value.

and was a proselyte, together with all his family: he gave much alms to the people, and was assiduous in his prayers to God.

let every man give as he is disposed in his own mind, without any regret or reluctance: for God loves a cheerful benefactor.

therefore, when you give alms, do not make a proclamation of it as the hypocrites do, in their publick assemblies by sound of trumpet, that they may have the applause of men. for I assure you, they have their reward.

Then Jesus called his disciples, and said to them, I am concern'd for this people; they have attended me now three days, without eating: I will not send them away fasting, lest they saint by the way. but his disciples said to him,

At that time, as the company were very numerous, and had nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples, and said, I am concern'd for this people, they have been with me now three days without having had any thing to eat. if I send them home fasting, they will faint by the way: for some of them are come very far.

"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 broken hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to proclaim the favourable year of the Lord."

for as Judas had the purse, some of them thought, that Jesus had ordered him to buy what was necessary against the feast: or give something to the poor.

how Jesus of Nazareth divinely inspired by the holy spirit, and with miraculous power, went about doing good, and healing all that were under the oppression of the devil: because God was with him.

All that believed were united together, and had all things in common, so that they sold their possessions and goods, and distributed the money to every one as his occasions required.

Now the whole body of believers were but one heart, and one soul: no one look'd upon what he possessed, as his own, but every thing was held in common. Great was the power by which the apostles attested the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and they were all greatly favoured by the people. for there was no poor among them, because as many as bad lands or houses, sold them, and brought the value,read more.
which they laid down at the apostles feet: and they distributed it to every man as his occasions required.

then the disciples determin'd to send, each of them answerably to his abilities, some relief to the brethren residing in Judea: which they actually perform'd, and sent it by the hands of Saul and Barnabas to the presbyters at Jerusalem.

my constant example has shown you that the disabled should be assisted by your labours, remembring the words of the Lord Jesus, who said, "it is a greater happiness to give than to receive."

after several years absence I came to Jerusalem, with contributions for my brethren, and oblations for the temple:

but now I am going to Jerusalem, to distribute charity to the converts. for those of Macedonia and Achaia, have thought fit to make a contribution for the poor converts at Jerusalem. they have thought fit, I say, and they owed them as much. for if the Gentiles have participated of their spirituals, they are bound on their side to minister to them in their temporals.

my meaning is not, that you should be distress'd to relieve others, I only recommend an equality; that as your present sufficiency supplies their wants, their sufficiency may supply your occasions another way: and thus there will be an equality. as it is written, " he that had much, had nothing over, and he that had little, had no lack."

only they recommended to us to get collections for the poor in Judea: which I was very careful to do.

Jesus said, if thou wilt be perfect, go sell your estate, give the value to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven: then come and follow me.

the king shall say to those on his right hand, come, ye blessed of my father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. for I was prest with hunger, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye took care of me: I was in prison, and ye visited me.

and whoever he be that shall give you a cup of water, as being the disciples of Christ, I assure you, he shall not lose his reward.

but don't forget to be beneficent to the community; for such sacrifice is acceptable to God.

At that time, as the number of the disciples was multiplied, the Hellenists murmured against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the distribution that was made daily.

show regard to widows that are really such.

pure and unadulterated religion, in the eye of God our father, consists in taking care of orphans and widows in their distress: and in keeping clear of the vices of the age.