Complete Bible Study Guide
What Does the Bible Say About Poor People?
10 Scripture references with full text and commentary
Understanding Poor People in the Bible
What does the Bible say about poor people? Browse 11 carefully selected verses that illuminate this biblical theme.
Top 10 Verses About Poor People
- 1Deuteronomy 15:11
“For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land.”
KJV - 2Proverbs 14:21
“He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor , happy is he.”
KJV - 3Proverbs 14:31
“He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.”
KJV - 4Proverbs 19:17
“He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again. that which: or, his deed”
KJV - 5Proverbs 22:9
“He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor. He that: Heb. Good of eye”
KJV - 6Proverbs 29:7
“The righteous considereth the cause of the poor: but the wicked regardeth not to know it.”
KJV - 7Isaiah 58:10
“And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday:”
KJV - 8
- 9Luke 6:20
“And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.”
KJV - 10Luke 12:33
“Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.”
KJV
Old Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Poor People? (7 Verses)
“For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land.”
“He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor , happy is he.”
“He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.”
“He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again. that which: or, his deed”
“He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor. He that: Heb. Good of eye”
“The righteous considereth the cause of the poor: but the wicked regardeth not to know it.”
“And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday:”
New Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Poor People? (3 Verses)
“Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
“And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.”
“Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.”
How to Study What the Bible Says About Poor People
- 1
Begin by reading through every verse listed on this page, noting which ones speak most directly to your current season of life. Write them down and revisit them throughout the week.
- 2
Use a concordance or the search tools on this site to find additional passages about poor people. Look for patterns across both the Old and New Testaments to gain a complete picture of what God reveals on this subject.
- 3
Study the context of each verse. Read the surrounding chapter to understand who was speaking, who the audience was, and what circumstances prompted the passage. Context prevents misapplication.
- 4
Memorise at least one key verse about poor people and meditate on it daily. Scripture memory transforms thinking and equips you to apply God's Word in real-time situations.
Practical Application
Studying what the Bible says about poor people is only the beginning. Scripture is meant to be lived out in daily obedience and faith. Here are practical steps to apply these truths:
Identify one area of your life where the biblical teaching on poor people needs to be applied more consistently. Write a specific, actionable step you can take this week.
Share what you have learned about poor people with a fellow believer or in a small group setting. Teaching others solidifies your own understanding and encourages mutual growth.
Pray through the key verses about poor people, asking God to reveal how His Word applies to your relationships, decisions, and daily habits.
How Well Do You Know What the Bible Says About Poor People?
You have studied 10 verses about poor people. Now test your knowledge with chapter-by-chapter quizzes covering the books where these verses appear.