Explain Bible

What does the Bible say about poverty?

Bible Topic · WEB

The Bible teaches that poverty calls for compassion, justice, humility, and hope in God, while warning against both oppression and the false security of wealth. Leviticus 25:35 commands God's people to support a brother or neighbor who becomes poor, and Proverbs repeatedly condemns mockery of the poor and unjust gain. Proverbs 22:2 reminds us that rich and poor alike are made by the Lord, while Proverbs 31:8-9 calls rulers and citizens to speak for those in need. Jesus blesses the poor who hunger for God's kingdom in Luke 6:20-21, and 2 Corinthians 8:9 grounds Christian generosity in Christ, who became poor for our sake.

Top passages, ranked by readers

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

  • Leviticus 25:35

    "'If your brother has become poor, and his hand can't support him among you; then you shall uphold him. As a stranger and a sojourner he shall live with you.

  • Proverbs 22:2

    The rich and the poor have this in common: Yahweh is the maker of them all.

  • 2 Corinthians 8:9

    For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that you through his poverty might become rich.

  • Proverbs 20:13

    Don't love sleep, lest you come to poverty; Open your eyes, and you shall be satisfied with bread.

  • Proverbs 28:6

    Better is the poor who walks in his integrity, Than he who is perverse in his ways, and he is rich.

  • Proverbs 31:8-9

    [8] Open your mouth for the mute, In the cause of all who are left desolate. [9] Open your mouth, judge righteously, And serve justice to the poor and needy."

  • Luke 6:20-21

    [20] He lifted up his eyes to his disciples, and said, "Blessed are you who are poor, For yours is the Kingdom of God. [21] Blessed are you who hunger now, For you will be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, For you will laugh.

  • Ecclesiastes 9:16

    Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength. Nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.

  • Proverbs 22:7

    The rich rule over the poor. The borrower is servant to the lender.

  • Proverbs 17:5

    Whoever mocks the poor reproaches his Maker. He who is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.

Study outline

Curated topical outlines from classic public-domain study works.

Nave's Topical Bible

See also

Go deeper

Ask Explain Bible AI about poverty and get a fuller answer from a Reformed theological perspective.

Ask what the Bible says about poverty