What Does the Bible Say About Poverty?
Here are 17 Bible verses about poverty, ordered by how relevant readers found them, with the King James Version and the modern Berean Standard Bible side by side.
- #1Leviticus 25:35
And if thy brother be waxen poor, and fallen in decay with thee; then thou shalt relieve him: yea, though he be a stranger, or a sojourner; that he may live with thee.
BSBNow if your countryman becomes destitute and cannot support himself among you, then you are to help him as you would a foreigner or stranger, so that he can continue to live among you.
- #2Proverbs 22:2
The rich and poor meet together: the Lord is the maker of them all.
BSBThe rich and the poor have this in common: The LORD is Maker of them all.
- #32 Corinthians 8:9
For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
BSBFor you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.
- #4Proverbs 20:13
Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.
BSBDo not love sleep, or you will grow poor; open your eyes, and you will have plenty of food.
- #5Proverbs 28:6
Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.
BSBBetter a poor man who walks with integrity than a rich man whose ways are perverse.
- #6Proverbs 31:8-9
Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction. Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
BSBOpen your mouth for those with no voice, for the cause of all the dispossessed. Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the poor and needy.
- #7Luke 6:20-21
And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.
BSBLooking up 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 filled. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.
- #8Ecclesiastes 9:16
Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.
BSBAnd I said, “Wisdom is better than strength, but the wisdom of the poor man is despised, and his words are not heeded.”
- #9Proverbs 22:7
The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.
BSBThe rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.
- #10Proverbs 17:5
Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.
BSBHe who mocks the poor insults their Maker; whoever gloats over calamity will not go unpunished.
- #111 John 3:17
But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
BSBIf anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need, but withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him?
- #12Proverbs 29:7
The righteous considereth the cause of the poor: but the wicked regardeth not to know it.
BSBThe righteous consider the cause of the poor, but the wicked have no regard for such concerns.
- #13Proverbs 24:33-34
Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man.
BSBA little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and need like a bandit.
- #14Psalms 103:6
The Lord executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.
BSBThe LORD executes righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.
- #15Proverbs 28:11
The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.
BSBA rich man is wise in his own eyes, but a poor man with discernment sees through him.
- #16Proverbs 19:4
Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbour.
BSBWealth attracts many friends, but a poor man is deserted by his friend.
- #17Luke 12:32-34
Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
BSBDo not be afraid, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide yourselves with purses that will not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Verse rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY). Scripture: KJV & BSB (public domain).