What Jesus Said About the Poor?

First words

Welcome to the article about what Jesus said about the poor. In this article I will tell you what Jesus said about the poor and also what is found in the Bible on this subject. Jesus cared about the poor and warned about excessive wealth. I myself have left many professions where one could become rich and decided to follow Jesus. For example, I played poker for money and felt that Jesus wanted me to stop it, even though it could have brought riches and much money. It is therefore important to avoid seeking riches and to do what is the will of God the Father. I will now explain more about the subject.

Key Takeaways

–  Jesus valued the poor and warned about the dangers of money and riches.

– The widow’s mite (Luke 21:1,2,3,4) shows that God looks at the giver’s heart, not the amount.

– Tithing is not a New Covenant law – a Ch,ristian gives voluntarily (Matt. 23:23; 2 Cor. 9:7).

– Whoever gives to the poor gives to God (Prov. 19:17).

– God forbade exploiting the poor and taking interest (Lev. 25:35,37).

– Jesus commanded not to store treasures on earth and warned against serving mammon (Matt. 6:19,20,21,22,23,24).

– By seeking first the Kingdom of God, all necessary things will be given (Matt. 6:33).

– Paul taught being content with food and clothing (1 Tim. 6:8).

– The apostles emphasized remembering the poor (Gal. 2:10).

– Jesus urged giving to the poor and following Him (Matt. 19:21).

– Paul learned to live both in abundance and in poverty (Phil. 4:12).

– Poverty is not a curse – the love of money is dangerous and can lead to destruction (1 Tim. 6:9).

– Begging can lead to coveting, which is sin (Exod. 20:17; Rom. 7:7; Rom. 13:9).

– Social support is allowed if received justly.

 – Work must be done if one is healthy and able (2 Thess. 3:10).

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The Widow’s Mite

It does not matter from what resources you give. Jesus also values those who give from little (Luke 21:1,2,3,4). You do not need to be rich for the Lord to see your alms. If you are poor, then give from your small resources as well. The widow gave a mite and the Lord saw the heart of the giver.

Should You Pay Tithes?

Jesus spoke about tithing once (Matt. 23:23). He said it during the Old Covenant before the coming of the Holy Spirit. Nowhere else is tithing spoken of during the New Covenant. Therefore it is not a law. Of course, it is good to pay tithes, but if you do not pay, you will not receive judgment for it. If you pay, good. If you do not, then it does not matter. I myself do not pay tithes.

Why Jesus Cares About the Poor and What He Warns About Concerning Riches

The Bible actually says that whoever gives to the poor gives to God (Prov. 19:17). In the Old Testament God commanded that one must not take interest nor take advantage of the poor (Lev. 25:35,36,37). God loves poor believers. Jesus commanded not to gather treasures on earth but to gather treasures in heaven (Matt. 6:19,20,21).
He also said that one cannot serve God and mammon at the same time (Matt. 6:24). So one must choose whom he serves. This means that one must let go of one’s own lusts and desires and do the will of God the Father. If some work takes time away from God, then it is sin.
God indeed gives everything believers need when they FIRST seek the Kingdom of God (Matt. 6:33). So let go of making money in a human sense and seek God, and then you will receive in prayer the profession in which God wants you to be. Sometimes it may even mean living by faith, meaning that you do nothing except preach the Kingdom of God and receive your living by donations without asking. Living by faith requires much and full trust in God, but it is possible and some do it.

Jesus also said that it is almost impossible for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 19:24). This is a serious warning. The rich do not easily receive the gospel. Money may have blinded the eyes and then the situation is exactly as the Bible verse says.

When You Have Clothing and Food, Be Content With That

Paul teaches so radically that when we have food and clothing, we should be content with that (1 Tim. 6:8). If extra money comes, it should be given to the poor and to the benefit of the congregation. Often if a person has enough money to live on, there is no need for God’s supernatural help. That is a problem. Money may become an idol. If money is the most important thing, then one lives in the flesh and not in the will of God.
So be content as a believer that you have clothing and food. If God wants you to travel somewhere, then from His given profession or donations you will indeed receive the funds for traveling, if it is important to God.

God Commands to Remember the Poor

If some preacher receives his salary from preaching the gospel, then that can bring much money. Extra money should be given to the poor (Gal. 2:10). Jesus Himself said that money should be given to the poor and to follow Him (Matt. 19:21).
Paul said that he had been in poverty and in abundance (Phil. 4:12). Paul surely did not have a problem with money. He used it exactly as the Lord wanted. There is no doubt that he helped the poor—surely he did. Because he said that he had also been in abundance, he also had situations where he had money. Paul followed Jesus 100% and he knew how to use money correctly.

My Own Experience With Money and Poverty

I have survived with small resources. Now I found an idea with which I could have made much money, but God took it away. I create various websites and God took away the most profitable idea from all of them. However, He left three sites which I feel He wants me to make. This is one site from which I do not want nor receive money; the purpose here is only to write topics from the Bible and Christianity.
Another site is intended for WordPress plugins. On that site I make and sell WordPress plugins. This the Lord did not take away. He took away the supplement website which would have probably been the most profitable. So I had to give up making it.
If the Lord wants you to give something up, your conscience will tell you that. Pray and ask the Lord if you are in the right profession. God will indeed show His own what they must do. If you feel that you receive too much money and it disturbs you, then it is a sign that God wants you to do something else.

Does It Matter If You Are Poor?

Briefly, no. If you are poor, it does not bother God at all; on the contrary, you are in a good place, and you should not start to become rich. If you need money, then pray. If He wants you to receive money, then He will surely make it happen. If you are poor, then do not pray for more money beyond your needs. If you have a family, then of course you must take care of your family. That is not wrong. Whether you practice some profession or live by faith, the Lord will indeed take care of you if you are a believer.

Is Poverty a Curse?

According to the Bible, no. It is not a curse but rather a blessing. Then you do not at least have a problem with using money. It is dangerous if there is too much money (1 Tim. 6:9). In the worst case it is an obstacle to salvation. So if you are a poor believer, be glad for that. The Lord has taken care of you so that money has not become a problem.
If you do not have money for food and clothing, then that is a problem. Try to get food and clothing. It does not require much. You can do some work you know how to do or for which you have been trained. You can do even part-time work.

Is Begging a Sin?

Yes. One should not be a beggar because in that one covets the property of one’s neighbor (Exod. 20:17). This passage is in the Old Covenant, but it also applies in the New Testament because one must not covet (Rom. 7:7; Rom. 13:9). If you therefore end up coveting, then repent and obtain your living yourself. You will surely find such work where you receive livelihood, unless there is for example an illness that prevents it. If you are sick, then Jesus can heal.

Are Social Benefits a Sin?

No. You may take for example housing support, pension or disability pension if you are ill. It is not sin. If you are able to work, however, then aim to get rid of pensions unless you are so old that you are retired. If you do not receive any social support by wrongdoing, then it is completely fine.

Does God Command Us to Work?

Yes. God’s command is that one must work (2 Thess. 3:10). Here it clearly says that if one is healthy, then one must work. If you are sick, then that is a different matter, but if nothing prevents work, then it should be done. If you are unemployed and healthy, and if you are unemployed, then pray to God to give you a job.

Summary

Jesus said to remember the poor and to do works of mercy. In the Bible it becomes clear that excessive riches can even become an obstacle to salvation. The love of money is the root of all evil and one should avoid seeking riches. When you have food and clothing, be content with that. If you are able to work and are not sick, then work.

Even a small alms is precious in God’s eyes. Even a small gift is taken into account. If you have much money, then you should give from your resources to the poor. If you are poor, then you can give even from little and it will be regarded well.
The poor are valuable in God’s eyes. God looks unfavorably upon the rich and favorably upon the poor. Therefore do not rush to become rich, but seek the Kingdom of God and store up treasures in heaven.
Thank you for reading to the end! Comment if you have questions or something to say about the topic.

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Ps. You might also want to read this: What Jesus said about sin?