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What does the Bible say about giving to the poor?

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The Bible calls God’s people to give generously, freely, and compassionately to those in need, as a grateful response to God’s grace rather than a way to earn his favor. Deuteronomy 15:7-11 forbids hardheartedness toward the poor, while Proverbs 19:17 teaches that kindness to the needy is service offered to the Lord. Jesus commends generous mercy in Luke 6:38 and the sacrificial trust of the widow in Luke 21:1-4. Acts 20:35 reminds believers that it is more blessed to give than to receive. Christians are therefore to share what God has entrusted to them cheerfully and without self-seeking, as 2 Corinthians 9:7 and Hebrews 13:16 teach.

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

  • Proverbs 19:17

    He who has pity on the poor lends to Yahweh; He will reward him.

  • Hebrews 13:16

    But don't forget to be doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

  • Luke 6:38

    "Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be given to you. For with the same measure you measure it will be measured back to you."

  • Deuteronomy 15:7-11

    [7] If there be with you a poor man, one of your brothers, within any of your gates in your land which Yahweh your God gives you, you shall not harden your heart, nor shut your hand from your poor brother; [8] but you shall surely open your hand to him, and shall surely lend him sufficient for his need [in that] which he wants. [9] Beware that there not be a base 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 to Yahweh against you, and it be sin to you. [10] You shall surely give him, and your heart shall not be grieved when you give to him; because that for this thing Yahweh your God will bless you in all your work, and in all that you put your hand to. [11] For the poor will never cease out of the land: therefore I command you, saying, You shall surely open your hand to your brother, to your needy, and to your poor, in your land.

  • Acts 20:35

    In all things I gave you an example, that so laboring you ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"

  • 2 Corinthians 9:7

    Let each man give according as he has determined in his heart; not grudgingly, or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver.

  • Proverbs 22:9

    He who has a generous eye will be blessed; For he shares his food with the poor.

  • Matthew 19:21

    Jesus said to him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me."

  • Luke 21:1-4

    [1] He looked up, and saw the rich people who were putting their gifts into the treasury. [2] He saw a certain poor widow casting in two small brass coins. [3] He said, "Truly I tell you, this poor widow put in more than all of them, [4] for all these put in gifts for God from their abundance, but she, out of her poverty, put in all that she had to live on."

  • Luke 12:33

    Sell that which you have, and give gifts to the needy. Make for yourselves purses which don't grow old, a treasure in the heavens that doesn't fail, where no thief approaches, neither moth destroys.

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