Poverty, attitudes towards

The plight of those in need calls for compassionate action of which Jesus Christ is the great example and in which the early church was faithful. Such compassion will be rewarded.

The treatment of the poor

They are not to be neglected

Deuteronomy 15:7–8 See also Proverbs 17:5; Romans 12:13; Galatians 6:10; James 2:15–16; 1 John 3:17

If there is a poor man among your brothers within any of the gates in the land that the LORD your God is giving you, then you are not to harden your heart or shut your hand from your poor brother. Instead, you are to open your hand to him and freely loan him whatever he needs.

They are not to be unjustly treated

Exodus 23:6 See also Leviticus 25:35–37; Deuteronomy 24:14–15; 2 Samuel 12:1–4 Nathan rebukes David in the parable about the rich man and the poor man; Job 24:1–4; Proverbs 22:22, Proverbs 29:7; Jeremiah 22:2–3, Jeremiah 22:16; Ezekiel 18:10–13; Amos 2:6–7; Zechariah 7:10; James 2:2–4 favouritism forbidden in Christian meetings

You shall not deny justice to the poor in their lawsuits.

They are to have special rights and privileges

Deuteronomy 14:28–29 See also Exodus 23:11; Leviticus 19:9–10, Leviticus 25:5–6; Proverbs 19:17

At the end of every three years, bring a tenth of all your produce for that year and lay it up within your gates. Then the Levite (because he has no portion or inheritance among you), the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow within your gates may come and eat and be satisfied. And the LORD your God will bless you in all the work of your hands.

They are to be cared for

Psalm 82:3–4 See also Job 29:11–17; Luke 3:11; Acts 9:36

Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; uphold the rights of the afflicted and oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy; save them from the hand of the wicked.

They are to be helped generously

Deuteronomy 15:9–11 See also Deuteronomy 14:29; Ruth 2:14; Psalm 112:9; Jeremiah 39:10; Luke 19:8; Acts 10:2; 2 Corinthians 9:7

Be careful not to harbor this wicked thought in your heart: “The seventh year, the year of release, is near,” so that you look upon your poor brother begrudgingly and give him nothing. He will cry out to the LORD against you, and you will be guilty of sin. Give generously to him, and do not let your heart be grieved when you do so. And because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything to which you put your hand. For there will never cease to be poor in the land; that is why I am commanding you to open wide your hand to your brother and to the poor and needy in your land.

They are to be helped without ostentation

Matthew 6:2

So when you give to the needy, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward.

Jesus Christ's compassion for the poor

Matthew 15:32 parallel Mark 8:1–3 See also Luke 4:18–19; John 13:29; Acts 10:38

Then Jesus called His disciples to Him and said, “I have compassion for this crowd, because they have already been with Me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may faint along the way.”

The attitude of the first Christians towards poverty

Acts 2:44–45 See also Acts 4:32–35, Acts 11:29–30, Acts 20:35, Acts 24:17; Romans 15:25–27; 2 Corinthians 8:13–15; Galatians 2:10

All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they shared with anyone who was in need.

Compassion for the poor will be rewarded

Psalm 41:1 See also Proverbs 19:17, Proverbs 28:27; Matthew 19:21, Matthew 25:34–36; Mark 9:41; Hebrews 13:16

For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. Blessed is the one who cares for the poor; the LORD will deliver him in the day of trouble.

Examples of the poor who need help

Orphans

Deuteronomy 10:18, Deuteronomy 14:28–29; Psalm 10:14, Psalm 146:9; Proverbs 23:10; Isaiah 10:2

Widows

Deuteronomy 14:29, Deuteronomy 16:11; Ruth 4:5; 2 Kings 4:1; Job 22:9; Malachi 3:5; Acts 6:1; 1 Timothy 5:3, 1 Timothy 5:9, 1 Timothy 5:16; James 1:27