The Bible emphasizes compassion and care for the less fortunate, including the homeless. Today, we’ll explore verses that highlight the importance of helping those in need and the blessings that come from doing so.
Bible Verses About the Homeless
Leviticus 19:10
“Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the foreigner. I am the Lord your God.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of caring for the poor and the foreigner. It reminds us that we should not be greedy or selfish with our resources, but rather, we should leave some for those in need.
Proverbs 14:21
“Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner, but blessed is he who is generous to the poor.”
This verse teaches us about the sin of despising our neighbors and the importance of being generous to the poor. It encourages us to have a compassionate heart and to show kindness to those in need.
Proverbs 19:17
“Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.”
This verse highlights the reward that comes from being generous to the poor. It reminds us that our acts of kindness and compassion towards those in need are seen and valued by God, and He will repay us for our deeds.
Isaiah 58:10
“If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of helping the hungry and afflicted. It teaches us that when we selflessly serve and care for those in need, God will bless us abundantly, and our darkness will be transformed into light.
Matthew 25:35-36
“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.”
This verse highlights the importance of actively helping those in need. It teaches us that when we feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, welcome strangers, clothe the naked, visit the sick, and care for prisoners, we are doing it for Christ Himself.
Matthew 25:40
“And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'”
This verse further reinforces the idea that when we show love and compassion to those in need, we are really showing it to Jesus. It reminds us that our actions towards the vulnerable and marginalized are a reflection of our love for Christ.
Luke 14:13-14
“But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.”
In this verse, Jesus encourages us to invite the poor and the marginalized to our feasts and gatherings. It challenges us to move beyond our comfortable circles and reach out to those who cannot repay us, reminding us that our sacrifice and service will be rewarded in the resurrection.
1 John 3:17-18
“But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of not only speaking words of love but also acting on them. It reminds us that if we have the means to help someone in need and choose not to, we are not truly reflecting God’s love in our lives.
Deuteronomy 15:11
“For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.'”
This verse acknowledges that there will always be poor people in the land and, as a result, instructs us to be generous to our brothers, the needy, and the poor. It reminds us of our responsibility to help and support those facing financial struggles.
Psalm 82:3-4
“Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”
This verse calls us to advocate for justice and intervene on behalf of the weak, fatherless, afflicted, and destitute. It reminds us that we should use our voice and actions to protect those who are vulnerable and in need.
Proverbs 21:13
“Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself call out and not be answered.”
In this verse, we are warned about the consequences of ignoring the cries of the poor. It reminds us that if we refuse to listen and help those in need, we cannot expect God to listen and answer our own prayers.
James 2:14-17
“What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled,’ without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also, faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”
This verse highlights the importance of combining faith with actions. It challenges us to not just offer empty words of comfort but to actually meet the physical needs of those who are lacking. It emphasizes that true faith is evidenced by works of love and compassion.
Proverbs 22:9
“Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor.”
This verse teaches us that when we have a generous and compassionate heart towards the poor, we will be blessed. It reminds us that sharing our resources with those in need is a reflection of our commitment to living a blessed and abundant life.
Psalm 41:1
“Blessed is the one who considers the poor! In the day of trouble, the Lord delivers him;”
This verse highlights the blessings that come from considering and helping the poor. It reminds us that when we prioritize the needs of others, especially the poor, God will deliver us in times of trouble.
Luke 12:33
“Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys.”
This verse challenges us to prioritize giving to the needy above the accumulation of worldly possessions. It encourages us to invest in heavenly treasures that are eternal instead of temporary wealth that can be lost or destroyed.
Acts 20:35
“In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'”
This verse reminds us of the teachings of Jesus, who emphasized the importance of helping the weak and giving rather than receiving. It challenges us to adopt a mindset of generosity and selflessness in all aspects of our lives.
Psalm 112:9
“They have distributed freely; they have given to the poor; their righteousness endures forever; their horn is exalted in honor.”
This verse speaks of the righteous, highlighting their generosity towards the poor. It emphasizes that their acts of giving endure forever and bring honor and exaltation to them.
2 Corinthians 8:9
“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.”
This verse reminds us of the ultimate act of love and sacrifice displayed by Jesus. Despite His richness, Jesus willingly became poor for our sake, so that through His poverty, we might become rich spiritually. It encourages us to follow His example and be generous towards others.
Proverbs 28:27
“Whoever gives to the poor will not want, but he who hides his eyes will get many a curse.”
In this verse, we are reminded of the blessings that come from giving to the poor. It warns us about the consequences of ignoring their plight and encourages us to be generous and open-hearted.
Proverbs 29:7
“A righteous man knows the rights of the poor; a wicked man does not understand such knowledge.”
This verse highlights the wisdom and understanding that comes from righteousness. It teaches us that a righteous person recognizes the rights and needs of the poor, while a wicked person lacks such knowledge and compassion.
1 Timothy 6:17-19
“As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.”
This verse addresses those who are wealthy in the present age and provides instructions on how to use their resources. It advises against arrogance and placing hope in material riches but encourages them to do good, be generous, and share. By doing so, they store up treasure for the future, gaining true life in God.
Galatians 2:10
“Only, they asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.”
In this verse, Paul shares about the request made to him and his fellow believers to remember the poor. It underscores the significance of not forgetting those in need and eagerly responding to their needs with compassion and generosity.
Also Read: Bible Verses About Jesus Return
What Does the Bible Say About the Homeless?
In our exploration of what the Bible says about the homeless, we find several key principles and teachings that guide us on how we should respond to those who are without a home. While the Bible may not use the term “homeless” as we do today, it does provide clear guidance on how we should treat the poor, the needy, and those who lack shelter.
Compassion for the Vulnerable
The Bible consistently emphasizes the importance of showing compassion and kindness to those in need. In Matthew 25:35-36 (NIV), Jesus says, “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 passage highlights the value of extending our help to those who lack basic necessities, including shelter.
The Responsibility of the Community
In the Old Testament, there are numerous references to caring for the poor and vulnerable within the community. For instance, in Leviticus 19:9-10 (NIV), it is commanded: “When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the foreigner. I am the Lord your God.” This underscores the idea that we should not hoard resources but rather share with those who are in need.
Generosity and Hospitality
Hospitality and generosity are qualities highly regarded in the Bible. Hebrews 13:2 (NIV) says, “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.” This verse encourages us to open our homes and hearts to those who lack shelter, as we may be helping angels in disguise.
Advocating for Justice
Advocating for justice and fairness is another important biblical principle. Isaiah 1:17 (NIV) instructs, “Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.” This verse reminds us of our duty to stand up for the rights and well-being of the marginalized, including the homeless.
A Call to Love
Ultimately, the Bible calls us to love our neighbors as ourselves (Mark 12:31, NIV). This commandment extends to all, including those who are homeless or in need. Our response to the homeless should be rooted in love, empathy, and a genuine desire to alleviate their suffering.
In summary, the Bible encourages us to have compassion for the homeless, take responsibility as a community to care for the vulnerable, practice generosity and hospitality, advocate for justice, and, above all, love our neighbors. These principles provide a strong foundation for how we should approach the issue of homelessness from a biblical perspective.