What Are Feed the Poor Bible Verses in the New Testament?
The gospel of Luke includes feed the poor Bible verses. In Luke 14, Jesus is eating at the home of a religious leader, a Pharisee. Jesus observes that the wealthiest and most influential dinner guests take the best seats at the table. Jesus explains that his followers should not put themselves above others, even if they have wealth and power. Jesus uses the table seating example to suggest that God’s people should seek ways to be humble, saying,
“For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Luke 14:11
Jesus reverses the idea of what it means to have value and importance.
Jesus continues,
“But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
Luke 14:13-14
Impoverished and oppressed people are frequently mistreated in society. Jesus demonstrates that a person’s wealth, influence or place in society does not determine their worth; all people are valuable. Jesus wants his followers to esteem and respect all people, including people experiencing poverty, disability, disenfranchisement and discrimination. Every person has a seat at Jesus’ table!
God also demonstrates his care for feeding people in poverty in the Old Testament.
The prophet Isaiah passionately declares God’s desire for his followers to pursue justice and restoration for people experiencing hurt, poverty and more. Isaiah urges God’s people to provide food, clothes and shelter for impoverished people.
Isaiah asks,
“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?”
Isaiah 58:6-7
Would you like to help people experiencing poverty?
Be God’s hands and feet today! Consider a donation to give farm animals like goats, cows, water buffalo and more to an impoverished family. Your gift of income-producing farm animals can greatly ease a family’s financial burden and give them hope for many years to come.
Learn more about Bible verses about poverty
1 “Poverty Headcount Ratio at $1.90 a Day (2011 PPP) (% of population).” The World Bank. Accessed February 2022. https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SI.POV.DDAY.