What does the Bible say about feeding the hungry?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible teaches that God calls his people to show genuine love and mercy by generously caring for those in need, including the hungry. Jesus identifies himself with the needy in Matthew 25:35, while Isaiah 58:10 links feeding the hungry with true worship that reflects God’s heart. James 2:14-18 and 1 John 3:17-18 warn that faith and love must be expressed in practical deeds, not words alone. Proverbs commends generosity as service rendered to the Lord and contrasts it with hard-hearted neglect. Yet Christ remains the Bread of Life in John 6:35: acts of mercy flow from trust in him and point others to the deeper nourishment found in his saving grace.
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Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Matthew 25:35
for I was hungry, and you gave me food to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me drink; I was a stranger, and you took me in;
- Isaiah 58:10
and if you draw out your soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul: then shall your light rise in darkness, and your obscurity be as the noonday;
- James 2:14-18
[14] What good is it, my brothers, if a man says he has faith, but has no works? Can faith save him? [15] And if a brother or sister is naked and in lack of daily food, [16] and one of you tells them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled;" and yet you didn't give them the things the body needs, what good is it? [17] Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead in itself. [18] Yes, a man will say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith from your works, and I by my works will show you my faith.
- Proverbs 28:27
One who gives to the poor has no lack; But one who closes his eyes will have many curses.
- 1 John 3:17-18
[17] But whoever has the world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and closes his heart of compassion against him, how does the love of God remain in him? [18] My little children, let's not love in word only, neither with the tongue only, but in deed and truth.
- Proverbs 14:31
He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for his Maker, But he who is kind to the needy honors him.
- Luke 3:11
He answered them, "He who has two coats, let him give to him who has none. He who has food, let him do likewise."
- Proverbs 22:9
He who has a generous eye will be blessed; For he shares his food with the poor.
- Proverbs 19:17
He who has pity on the poor lends to Yahweh; He will reward him.
- John 6:35
Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will not be hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.
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