Bible Verses about Poverty

Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go and sell… Matthew 19:21

Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” Matthew 19:21	Jesus replied, “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell your possessions, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” blameless giving materialism
I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. Philippians 4:12	I know how to live with little, and I know how to live with plenty. In any and all circumstances, I have learned the secret of being well fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need. contentment food life

Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice. Proverbs 31:9	Speak out and pronounce righteous judgments; defend the rights of the wretched and the poor. righteousness speaking giving
Work brings profit, but mere talk leads to poverty! Proverbs 14:23	Diligent labor always yields profit, but idle conversation only leads to poverty. reliability speaking encouragement
Give justice to the poor and the orphan; uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute. Psalm 82:3	Grant justice to the weak and the orphan; defend the rights of the lowly and the poor. orphans neighbor righteousness
Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything. 2 Corinthians 6:10	As sorrowful, and yet we are always rejoicing; as poor, and yet we make many rich; as having nothing, and yet we possess everything. sadness joy money
The Lord makes some poor and others rich; he brings some down and lifts others up. 1 Samuel 2:7	The Lord makes poor and makes rich, he humbles and he also exalts. money almighty humility
John replied, “If you have two shirts, give one to the poor. If you have food, share it with those who are hungry.” Luke 3:11	He said to them in reply, “Anyone who has two coats must share with the person who has none, and whoever has food must do likewise.” materialism giving neighbor
This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Judge fairly, and show mercy and kindness to one another. Do not oppress widows, orphans, foreigners, and the poor. And do not scheme against each other. Zechariah 7:9-10	Thus says the Lord of hosts: Render fair judgments, and show kindness and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow, the orphan, the alien, or the poor. Do not plot evil in your heart against one another. evil righteousness neighbor
Just as the rich rule the poor, so the borrower is servant to the lender. Proverbs 22:7	The wealthy man lords it over the poor, and the borrower becomes the slave of the lender. money debt slavery
In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened; he saved me from all my troubles. Psalm 34:6	In my anguish I cried out; the Lord heard my plea, and I was saved from all my troubles. listening prayer salvation
Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? Romans 8:35	Who then can separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or the sword? love suffering persecution
First, help me never to tell a lie. Second, give me neither poverty nor riches! Give me just enough to satisfy my needs. Proverbs 30:8	Keep falsehood and lying far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but simply provide me with the food that I need. materialism food money
The rich can pay a ransom for their lives, but the poor won’t even get threatened. Proverbs 13:8	A wealthy man pays a ransom to save his life; a poor man never has to worry about such threats. money materialism fear
For I assisted the poor in their need and the orphans who required help. I helped those without hope, and they blessed me. And I caused the widows’ hearts to sing for joy. Job 29:12-13	Because I delivered the poor who appealed for help and the orphan who had no one to protect him. The blessing of the wretched was given to me, and I caused the widow’s heart to sing for joy. widows orphans singing
Loyalty makes a person attractive. It is better to be poor than dishonest. Proverbs 19:22	A man’s attraction is his kindness; it is far better to be poor than to be a liar. reliability money goodness
If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:3	If I give away everything to feed the poor and hand over my body to be burned, but do not have love, I achieve nothing. love suffering giving
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free. Luke 4:18	The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring the good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to prisoners and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free. Spirit evangelism freedom
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. Isaiah 61:1	The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me because the Lord has anointed me. He has sent me to announce good news to the oppressed, to strengthen the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom to those held in captivity and release to those who have been imprisoned. Spirit hope redeemer
Arise, O Lord! Punish the wicked, O God! Do not ignore the helpless! Psalm 10:12	Arise, O Lord! Lift up your hand, O God! Do not forget the afflicted. prayer neighbor