Money and work
What does the Bible say about poverty?
The Bible neither romanticises poverty nor ignores it. It calls for justice, generosity and dignity for those who have little.
What Scripture says
Proverbs 14:31
“He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for his Maker, but he who is kind to the needy honors him.”
Proverbs 31:8-9
“Open your mouth for the mute, in the cause of all who are left desolate. Open your mouth, judge righteously, and serve justice to the poor and needy.””
Luke 4:18
““The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to heal the broken hearted, to proclaim release to the captives, recovering of sight to the blind, to deliver those who are crushed,”
James 2:5
“Listen, my beloved brothers. Didn’t God choose those who are poor in this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the Kingdom which he promised to those who love him?”
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Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. See all Bible questions or verses by topic.