God’s Word shows that we have a clear responsibility to care for the poor. As believers, we are called to live out our faith by helping those in need. One powerful way to do this today is through child sponsorship.
We’ll explore both the Old and New Testaments, highlighting biblical principles that guide our compassion for the poor and shows how sponsoring a child can make a lasting impact.
Together we will see the Bible’s radically generous perspective on poverty and how, against all odds, God calls us to make an impact filled with hope and joy.
What Does the Old Testament Say About Poverty?
From the beginning, God’s Word shows His concern for the poor and His call for His people to live with compassion and justice.
God’s Compassion for the Poor
Proverbs 14:31 (NIV) says, “Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.” To show kindness to those in need is to honor God Himself.
Psalm 82:3-4 (NIV) reinforces this call: “Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.” God cares deeply for justice and asks His people to do the same.
The Call to Justice and Righteousness
God repeatedly called His people to defend the vulnerable.
Isaiah 1:17 (NIV) says, “Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.” Helping the poor is central to building God’s kingdom here on earth.
Isaiah 58:10 (NIV) expands this vision: “If you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.” Compassionate action brings hope and light into a world of need.
Provision for the Poor
God built provision into the law to protect the needy. Leviticus 19:9-10 commanded landowners to leave portions of their crops for the poor to gather. This revealed God’s concern for providing for those without.
Sharing Resources
The Old Testament reminds us that generosity brings blessing. Proverbs 22:9 (NIV) says, “The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.”
Luke 3:11 (NIV) echoes this principle in the New Testament: “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.”
Blessings for Generosity
Proverbs 19:17 (NIV) says, “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done.” When we show compassion, we partner with God Himself.
Care for Widows and Orphans
The Old Testament emphasizes protecting the most vulnerable: widows, orphans and foreigners. This theme continues in the New Testament: “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress” (James 1:27a, NIV).
What Does the New Testament Say About Poverty?
The New Testament continues to emphasize these teachings about poverty and helping the poor. In Jesus, we see the perfect example of compassion for the poor and our responsibility to assist those in need.
Jesus’ Lived Example
Jesus himself demonstrated deep compassion for the poor and marginalized. At the start of His ministry, Jesus declared, “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor” (Luke 4:18, NIV). His life and teachings serve as a model for Christians to follow.
The Parable of the Good Samaritan
In Luke 10:25-37, Jesus told the parable of the Good Samaritan. This story illustrates the importance of showing mercy and compassion to those in need. It teaches that we should offer help to anyone we encounter who is suffering, regardless of social or cultural barriers. This parable reinforces the call to love our neighbors, including those experiencing poverty.
Radical Generosity
Jesus also taught that giving is a blessing. In Acts 20:35, Paul recalls His words: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” The early Church lived this out. Acts 2:44-45 describes believers selling possessions to care for those in need.
Luke 12:33 (NIV) gives us an even stronger command: “Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail.” Generosity is central to following Christ.
The Early Church's Care for the Poor
The book of Acts shows that the early Christian community was committed to caring for those in need. Acts 2:44-45 (NIV) states, "All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need." This communal sharing exemplifies the Christian commitment to helping the poor.
The Widow’s Offering
In Mark 12:41-44, Jesus observed a poor widow giving two small coins. Her gift, though small in the world’s eyes, was great in God’s eyes. God values the heart behind generosity, not the amount.
Loving Through Practical Action
Matthew 25:40 (NIV) makes this connection clear: “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
James 2:15-16 (NIV) reinforces this invitation: “Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?”
1 John 3:17 (NIV) goes even deeper: “If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?”
Living Out God’s Call Today
From Genesis to Revelation, God’s Word is consistent: He cares deeply for the poor, and He calls His people to do the same. Both the Old and New Testaments reveal His heart of justice, mercy and generosity toward the vulnerable.
Today, one of the most practical and personal ways we can live out this call is through child sponsorship. Sponsorship empowers local churches to meet children’s needs holistically — not only physical needs like food, clean water and health care, but also education, protection, community and spiritual growth.
Child sponsorship is an investment in long-term, sustainable change. Sponsorship equips children with opportunities and support so they can break the cycle of poverty, flourish in their communities and grow into who God created them to be.
Child Sponsorship as a Biblical Response
Sponsorship reflects the Bible’s vision of caring for the whole person. Just as God commanded His people to provide for the poor, defend the oppressed and share resources with the vulnerable, sponsorship fulfills children’s right now needs and equips them for the future.reflects the Bible’s vision of caring for the whole person. Just as God commanded His people to provide for the poor, defend the oppressed and share resources with the vulnerable, sponsorship provides children with what they need now and equips them for the future.
If you’re considering sponsoring a child, here are a few things to consider: Start with Prayer: Begin with prayer, asking God to guide your decision. Sponsorship is more than financial support — it is an act of discipleship and obedience.
Holistic Development: Look for programs that care for the whole child. Compassion sponsorship provides education, health care, nutrition, protection and the hope of the gospel, equipping children to grow into their God-given potential.
Long-Term Commitment: Sponsorship is not temporary relief. It’s a long-term investment that brings stability and allows you to see a child grow over time.
Personal Encouragement: Sponsors play a unique role as encouragers. Letters, prayers and words of hope remind a child that they are known, loved and valued.
Cultural Sensitivity: Approach with humility and respect. Sponsorship is not about imposing your culture but about honoring the child’s dignity and learning from their perspective.
Stewardship and Growth: Sponsorship transforms both the child and the sponsor. It deepens empathy, strengthens compassion and gives us the joy of reflecting Christ’s love across the world.
Through sponsorship, children experience enough: enough food, education, care and hope to move beyond poverty and into flourishing. And sponsors experience the joy of partnering with God in His work of transformation.
The Gift of Enough
Poverty tells children, “You don’t matter.” Sponsorship tells them, “You are known, loved and valued by God.” It turns survival into flourishing and despair into hope.
When we answer God’s call to care for the poor by sponsoring a child, we join his mission of justice and compassion, releasing children from poverty in Jesus’ name.
