The Bible’s Call to Care for the Poor and How We Can Answer
The Bible’s Call to Care for the Poor and How We Can Answer
From Genesis to Revelation, God’s Word is filled with commands to care for the poor. Deuteronomy 15:11 says, “There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land.” God has always cared for the vulnerable — and He calls His people to do the same.
Jesus carried this forward when He declared His mission in Luke 4:18: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.” To follow Christ is to share His heart for those in poverty.
We answer this call by living generously, by sharing our resources, and by refusing to turn away from suffering. Isaiah 58:10 tells us, “If you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness.” The blessing is twofold: when we lift others, God’s light shines in us.
Answering God’s call means moving from awareness to action, from prayer to practical care. It is not optional — it is central to our faith.
