What does the Bible say about helping the needy?

Top passages, ranked by readers

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

• 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.'"

• Deuteronomy 15:11

  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.

• Proverbs 19:17

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

• 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.

• 1 John 3:17

  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?

• Matthew 6:1-4

  [1] "Be careful that you don't do your charitable giving before men, to be seen by them, or else you have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. [2] Therefore when you do merciful deeds, don't sound a trumpet before yourself, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may get glory from men. Most assuredly I tell you, they have received their reward. [3] But when you do merciful deeds, don't let your left hand know what your right hand does, [4] so that your merciful deeds may be in secret, then your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

• Hebrews 13:16

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

• Proverbs 14:31

  He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for his Maker, But he who is kind to the needy honors him.

• Luke 12:33-34

  [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. [34] For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

• 1 Timothy 5:8

  But if anyone doesn't provide for his own, and especially his own household, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever.

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