5449 poverty, remedies for

Although poverty can never be totally eliminated from this sinful world, it can be alleviated. Scripture provides guidance concerning how this may be done.

Poverty will always exist in this world

Mt 26:11 pp Jn 12:8 See also Dt 15:11

God’s concern over poverty

God cares for the poor Ps 35:10; Ps 68:10 See also Dt 15:4-5; Job 5:16; Ps 14:6; Ps 113:7; Ps 140:12; Isa 25:4

The law made concessions for poverty Lev 5:7,11; Lev 12:8; Lev 14:21-22; Lev 27:8

God judges those who oppress the poor Eze 18:12-13; Am 4:1-2

The poor should be encouraged to help themselves

Mosaic law enabled the poor to help themselves Ex 23:11; Lev 19:10; Lev 23:22; Lev 25:25,28,39,41 The jubilee helped towards release from the poverty trap; Dt 23:25

Paul exhorts the poor to work 1Th 4:11; 2Th 3:10

Paul sets the poor an example Ac 20:34; 1Th 2:9; 2Th 3:8

The relatives of the poor should help

1Ti 5:4 See also Ge 45:9-11; Lev 25:25; 1Ti 5:8,16

Those better off should help the poor

The poor can be helped by means of gifts Ac 10:4 See also Dt 15:7-8; Ps 112:9; Pr 31:20; Mt 19:21 pp Mk 10:21 pp Lk 18:22; Lk 19:8; Ac 9:36; Eph 4:28; 1Ti 6:17-18

The poor can be helped in practical ways Mt 25:34-40; Lk 11:41; Lk 14:13; Ac 9:36,39; 1Ti 5:9-10; Jas 2:15-16; 1Jn 3:17

The poor can be helped by others upholding justice Ps 82:3 See also Dt 24:12-15; Pr 22:22; Pr 29:7,14; Pr 31:9; Isa 10:1-2; Jer 22:16

The church should help the poor

Gal 2:10 See also Ac 24:17; Ro 15:26; 1Ti 5:16

God’s greatest gift to the poor is the good news of Jesus Christ

Lk 4:18 See also Isa 61:1; Mt 11:5 pp Lk 7:22; Lk 14:21 Scripture regards spiritual and social welfare as closely connected.

See also