Advocacy is a form of standing up for justice, and the Bible supports helping those in need. Through the examples of prophets and Jesus, we see how God calls us to care for the oppressed and fight for righteousness. Advocacy done with compassion and love honors God’s desire for justice and fairness.
Also Read: What Does The Bible Say About Asking God For Money
What Does The Bible Say About Advocacy
Exodus 22:21-22
“Do not mistreat or oppress a foreigner, for you were foreigners in Egypt. Do not take advantage of the widow or the fatherless.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of advocating for the rights and well-being of vulnerable individuals in society. It reminds us to treat foreigners with kindness and empathy and to protect the rights of widows and orphans.
Proverbs 31:8-9
“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.”
This verse urges us to use our voices and influence to stand up for those who are unable to speak for themselves. It calls us to advocate for the rights of the impoverished, ensuring fairness and justice for all.
Isaiah 1:17
“Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.”
This verse encourages us to actively pursue justice and defend those who are oppressed. It prompts us to advocate for the fatherless and widows, showing compassion and fighting for their rights.
Isaiah 58:6-7
“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?”
This verse highlights the importance of advocating for social justice and compassionately serving the underprivileged. It emphasizes the need to break the chains of injustice and to provide for the basic needs of the hungry, homeless, and vulnerable.
Micah 6:8
“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
These words remind us that our advocacy work must be grounded in righteousness, mercy, and humility. We are called to act justly and seek fairness, with a heart of compassion and genuine love for others.
Jeremiah 22:3
“This is what the Lord says: Do what is just and right. Rescue from the hand of the oppressor the one who has been robbed. Do no wrong or violence to the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place.”
This verse reiterates the need to stand up for justice and righteousness, actively working to liberate those who have been oppressed or harmed. It underscores the importance of treating foreigners, widows, and orphans with kindness and protection.
Psalm 82:3-4
“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.”
This verse calls us to advocate for the vulnerable, defending the rights of the weak, fatherless, and poor. It urges us to rescue those in need and protect them from the wickedness that seeks to harm them.
Matthew 25:35-36
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”
This verse reminds us of the importance of advocating for the physical and emotional needs of others. It challenges us to provide food, drink, shelter, clothing, and care for those who are hungry, thirsty, homeless, sick, or imprisoned.
Luke 4:18-19
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
In these verses, Jesus declares His mission on earth, which includes advocating for the poor, the imprisoned, and the oppressed. It shows that our advocacy should extend to all aspects of human flourishing, including spiritual freedom and physical healing.
Proverbs 24:11-12
“Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter. If you say, ‘But we knew nothing about this,’ does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay each person according to what they have done?”
This verse compels us to speak up and take action to save those who are at the verge of destruction or being exploited. It reminds us that God sees our inaction and will hold us accountable for the things we could have done to rescue others.
Galatians 3:28
“There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
These words highlight the equality and unity that should exist among all believers in Christ. They serve as a reminder that our advocacy should be free from prejudice, discrimination, and favoritism.
James 1:27
“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of caring for orphans and widows, who represent some of the most vulnerable members of society. It also reminds us to live in a way that aligns with God’s values and to avoid becoming tainted by worldly influences.
Luke 10:25-37
“But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him.”
In the parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus teaches the importance of showing mercy and compassion to those in need. It illustrates that true advocacy involves going out of our way to provide practical help and support to those who have been marginalized or wounded.
Leviticus 19:15
“Do not pervert justice; do not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the great, but judge your neighbor fairly.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of advocating for fairness and objectivity in our interactions with others. It reminds us to treat everyone equally, without favoritism or discrimination based on their social status or wealth.
Proverbs 14:21
“Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner, but blessed is he who is generous to the poor.”
This verse teaches us that advocating for the impoverished and showing kindness to our neighbors are acts of righteousness and lead to blessings. It calls us to be generous and compassionate towards those in need.
Proverbs 31:9
“Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.”
This verse encourages us to speak up and stand up for the rights of the less fortunate. It reminds us that part of our Christian duty is to use our voices and influence to advocate for justice and equality.
Psalm 146:7-9
“He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets prisoners free, the Lord gives sight to the blind, the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down, the Lord loves the righteous. The Lord watches over the foreigner and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.”
These verses highlight God’s heart for advocacy and His active role in defending the oppressed, providing for the needy, and uplifting the downtrodden. It assures us that God sees and cares for those who are in need of justice and support.
Proverbs 19:17
“Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done.”
This verse reminds us that advocating for the poor and showing kindness to those in need is an act of lending to the Lord Himself. It assures us that God sees our efforts and promises a reward for our compassion and generosity.
Psalm 82:4
“Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”
This verse calls us to actively participate in the deliverance and liberation of the weak and the needy. It reminds us that our role as advocates is to fight against the oppression and injustice that they face.
Proverbs 31:20
“She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.”
This verse paints a picture of a compassionate and caring individual who actively reaches out to help those in need. It serves as an example for us to emulate, extending our hands and resources to support the less fortunate.
Proverbs 29:7
“The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern.”
This verse highlights the distinction between the righteous and the wicked. It emphasizes that true righteousness includes a genuine concern for the justice and well-being of the poor, while the wicked are indifferent to their needs.
Proverbs 14:31
“Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.”
This verse reminds us that the way we treat the poor and needy reflects our attitude towards God. It teaches us that showing kindness and advocacy towards the less fortunate is a way of honoring and respecting our Creator.
Proverbs 22:9
“The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.”
This verse highlights the principle of blessing through generosity. It emphasizes that when we advocate for the poor by sharing our resources and providing for their needs, we are not only blessing them but will also be blessed ourselves.
Deuteronomy 15:7-8
“If anyone is poor among your fellow Israelites in any of the towns of the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward them. Rather, be openhanded and freely lend them whatever they need.”
This verse instructs us to have an open and compassionate heart towards those who are in need. It encourages us to be generous and willing to lend a hand, without being selfish or indifferent.
Matthew 5:42
“Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.”
This verse challenges us to be generous and willing to help those who come to us seeking assistance. It reminds us to be open-hearted and not turn away those who are in need.
Psalm 12:5
“Because the poor are plundered and the needy groan, I will now arise,” says the Lord. “I will protect them from those who malign them.”
These words reassure us of God’s commitment to protect the poor and vulnerable. It reminds us that He sees their plight and promises to rise up in defense against those who oppress and cause harm to them.