At Christian Aid, everything we do is rooted in our Christian beliefs. These Bible verses about poverty show how scripture calls us to take action against poverty in our world today.
Jesus said that everyone is made in God’s image and proclaimed the good news to the poor and freedom to the oppressed. Our belief that poverty can be ended is based on our understanding of the Bible and the work of a creative, loving God.
After escaping conflict, Chance lives on just 44p a day. Families like hers face extreme poverty, struggling for food, safe shelter and basic necessities. Your gift can help them rebuild their lives with dignity.
What the Bible says about poverty:
These verses make it clear that the Bible calls us not only to recognise poverty but to act against it and care for the vulnerable.
- Matthew 25:35-36 – ‘For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’
- Isaiah 1:17 - ‘Learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow.’
- Psalm 82:3 - ‘Give justice to the weak and the orphan; maintain the right of the lowly and the destitute.’
- Proverbs 31:8-9 - ‘Speak out for those who cannot speak, for the rights of all the destitute. Speak out, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.’
- Deuteronomy 15:11 - ‘Since there will never cease to be some in need on the earth, I therefore command you, 'Open your hand to the poor and needy neighbour in your land.'
- Proverbs 19:17 - ‘Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and will be repaid in full.’
- Deuteronomy 15:7-8 - ‘If there is among you anyone in need, a member of your community in any of your towns within the land that the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hard-hearted or tight-fisted toward your needy neighbour. You should rather open your hand, willingly lending enough to meet the need, whatever it may be.’
- 2 Corinthians 9:7 - ‘Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.’
- James 2:14-17 – ‘What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but do not have works? Can faith save you if you do not help those in need? Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.’
- Luke 6:20-21 – ‘Then he looked up at his disciples and 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.”’
All of these verses are taken from the NRSV version of the Bible.
Image credits and information
A mother’s strength amid hardship
When fighting broke out in her village, Chance fled with her baby in her arms. Now, in a temporary shelter, her children are hungry.
Like so many mothers around the world, Chance longs for stability, safety and the means to provide for her family. Though she's resourceful, she's running out of options – because of a situation that's heartbreakingly beyond her control.
Families like Chance’s can begin to rebuild, after losing everything, through the generosity of others like you.
Keep poverty in your prayers
We call on you, individuals and churches, to to lift up communities facing poverty in prayer. These Bible verses remind us that faith calls us not only to give, but also to stand in solidarity with those who are struggling.
Poverty isn’t just about a lack of resources. It’s about the daily struggle for security, dignity and opportunity - struggles that are made worse by conflict, climate change and inequality.
As followers of Christ, we're called to respond with both compassion and action: to open our hands to those in need and to open our hearts in prayer.
Through prayer, we can lift up their hope, renew our own, and seek God’s justice for a world where everyone can live life in all its fullness.
Prayer for an end to poverty
Creator God,
you loved the world into life.
Forgive us when our dreams of the future
are shaped by anything other than glimpses of a kingdom
of justice, peace and an end to poverty.
Incarnate God,
you taught us to speak out for what is right.
Make us content with nothing less than a world
that is transformed into the shape of love,
where poverty shall be no more.
Breath of God,
let there be abundant life.
Inspire us with the vision of poverty over,
and give us the faith, courage and will to make it happen.
Your generosity can help families like Chance’s overcome hardship. Every gift, prayer and act of compassion makes a difference.
