Bible Verses to Overcome Poverty
The Bible tells us that God “takes up the case” of those who have been crushed. When we follow His lead, we become an advocate for the poor—doing whatever we can to fight for justice. These two themes are presented in the Bible on how to overcome poverty:
1. God is an advocate to the oppressed
- The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. — Psalm 9:9
- The wicked go down to the realm of the dead, all the nations that forget God. But God will never forget the needy; the hope of the afflicted will never perish. — Psalm 9: 17-18
- “Because the poor are plundered and the needy groan, I will now arise,” says the Lord. “I will protect them from those who malign them.” — Psalm 12:5
- My whole being will exclaim, “Who is like you, Lord? You rescue the poor from those too strong for them, the poor and needy from those who rob them.” — Psalm 35:10
- With my mouth I will greatly extol the Lord; in the great throng of worshipers I will praise him. For he stands at the right hand of the needy, to save their lives from those who would condemn them. — Psalm 109:30-31
- I know that the Lord secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy. — Psalm 140:12
- May the mountains bring prosperity to the people, the hills the fruit of righteousness. May he defend the afflicted among the people and save the children of the needy; may he crush the oppressor. — Psalm 72:3-4
- For he will deliver the needy who cry out, the afflicted who have no one to help. He will take pity on the weak and the needy and save the needy from death. He will rescue them from oppression and violence, for precious is their blood in his sight. — Psalm 72:12-14
- Who is like the Lord our God, the One who sits enthroned on high, who stoops down to look on the heavens and the earth? He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes, with the princes of his people. — Psalm 113:5-8
- Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God. He is the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them—he remains faithful forever. He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets prisoners free, the Lord gives sight to the blind, the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down, the Lord loves the righteous. The Lord watches over the foreigner and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked. — Psalm 146:5-9
- [Lord]You have been a refuge for the poor, a refuge for the needy in their distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat. — Isaiah 25:4
- Looking at his disciples, [Jesus] said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.” — Luke 6:20-21
2. God uses His people to help those in need
- The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor. — Proverbs 22:9
- Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. — Romans 12:11-13
Are You Actively Helping People Who Are Less Fortunate?
Compassion International provides you with a practical way to help. By sponsoring a child, God will use you to bring hope and help to a family in need—clean drinking water, educational opportunities, nutritional food, medical help, job training skills and other assistance. Most of all, your sponsored child will learn that God loves them!