Whether it’s a literal sibling or someone in need, the Bible frequently talks about the importance of helping others. What responsibilities do we have when it comes to lending a hand, and how does God view our actions? In this post, we’ll look at the passages that encourage us to love and support our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Also Read: What Does The Bible Say About Not Forgiving Others
What Does The Bible Say About Helping Your Brother
Proverbs 14:21
“Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner, but blessed is he who is generous to the poor.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of being generous and compassionate towards those in need. It highlights that God blesses those who show kindness and help the poor, while condemning those who disregard or mistreat their neighbors.
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 teaches us that when we help others, especially those who are considered the least or most vulnerable, we are actually serving and pleasing God. It reminds us of the interconnectedness of humanity and the importance of treating others with love and compassion.
1 John 3:17
“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?”
This verse challenges us to examine our hearts and actions. It makes it clear that if we have the means to help others but choose not to, it reveals a lack of God’s love dwelling within us. It encourages us to be open-hearted and generous towards our brothers and sisters in need.
Galatians 6:2
“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
This verse reminds us of the importance of supporting and helping one another. It encourages us to share the load of life’s challenges and difficulties with our brothers and sisters in Christ. By doing so, we live out the law of Christ, which is to love and care for one another.
James 2:15-16
“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?”
This verse cautions against empty words and hypocritical behavior. It emphasizes the importance of taking tangible actions to help those in need instead of merely offering empty wishes. It challenges us to be proactive in meeting the practical needs of our brothers and sisters.
Proverbs 3:27-28
“Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due when it is in your power to do it. Do not say to your neighbor, ‘Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it’—when you have it with you.”
This verse reminds us not to delay or withhold help from those who are in need when we have the ability to assist them. It encourages us to be prompt and generous in extending our support, rather than putting it off or making empty promises.
Luke 6:38
“Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”
This verse teaches us the principle of sowing and reaping. When we are generous and give to others, God promises to bless and multiply what we have given. It encourages us to give with a cheerful heart, knowing that our generosity will not go unnoticed or unrewarded.
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 divine reward of generosity towards the poor. When we extend our help to those in need, we are essentially lending to the Lord, and He promises to repay us for our acts of kindness and compassion.
Mark 9:41
“For truly, I say to you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ will by no means lose his reward.”
This verse emphasizes the value of even the smallest acts of kindness. It assures us that when we show love and care to others, especially to fellow believers, God sees and will reward our actions, no matter how insignificant they may seem.
Proverbs 11:25
“Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.”
This verse speaks of the reciprocal nature of blessings. When we bring blessings to others through our acts of kindness and support, God blesses us in return. It reminds us that by helping others, we are also helping ourselves in countless ways.
Galatians 5:13
“For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”
This verse reminds us that as believers, we are called to use our freedom not for selfish desires but to serve and love one another. It encourages us to leverage our liberty to help and support our brothers and sisters in Christ, showcasing God’s love through our actions.
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 importance of diligent work and its correlation to helping the weak. It quotes Jesus’ words, highlighting that the ultimate blessing comes from giving and serving others, rather than seeking personal gain or receiving material possessions.
Hebrews 13:16
“Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.”
This verse encourages us not to overlook the opportunities to do good and share with others. It reminds us that acts of kindness and sacrifice are pleasing to God. Our willingness to give and help reflects our love and devotion to Him.
Proverbs 22:9
“Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor.”
This verse speaks of the blessings that come to those who have a generous spirit. When we willingly share what we have with the poor and those in need, God promises to bless us abundantly, ensuring that our own needs are met as well.
Luke 10:36-37
“Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.”
This verse comes from the parable of the Good Samaritan, where Jesus teaches us about the importance of showing mercy and compassion to others. It challenges us to be good neighbors, actively seeking opportunities to help those in need, just as the Samaritan did.
Romans 15:1
“We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves.”
This verse reminds us of our responsibility to support and uplift those who are spiritually, emotionally, or physically weaker than us. It urges us to set aside our selfish desires and instead come alongside our brothers and sisters, helping them in their times of struggle.
Proverbs 28:27
“Whoever gives to the poor will not want, but he who hides his eyes will get many a curse.”
This verse emphasizes the connection between giving to the poor and experiencing a lack of lack. When we generously help those in need, God ensures that our own needs are met. However, neglecting or ignoring the poor brings negative consequences upon ourselves.
1 Timothy 6:18
“They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share.”
This verse highlights the call for believers to actively engage in doing good works. It encourages us to excel in acts of generosity and be ready to share our resources and blessings with others. It is through such actions that we fulfill our purpose and reflect God’s character.
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 reminds us of the spiritual rewards that come from selflessly serving others. When we give ourselves to help the hungry and meet the needs of the afflicted, God promises to bring light and joy into our lives. Our acts of compassion become a source of hope and encouragement.
Matthew 5:42
“Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.”
This verse challenges us to have a heart of generosity and willingness to help those who ask for our assistance. It encourages us not to turn away from those in need but to extend a helping hand, knowing that we are called to be channels of God’s love and provision.
Proverbs 28:8
“Whoever multiplies his wealth by interest and profit gathers it for him who is generous to the poor.”
This verse emphasizes the value of using wealth and resources to benefit others, especially the poor. It suggests that wealth gained through exploitative means ultimately ends up in the hands of those who are genuinely generous and compassionate.
1 John 4:20
“If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.”
This verse urges us to examine our love for God by looking at our love and care for our fellow brothers and sisters. It highlights that if we claim to love God but harbor hate or indifference towards others, we are deceiving ourselves. Our love for God should overflow into love and compassion for those around us.
Proverbs 14:31
“Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him.”
This verse underscores the importance of treating the poor with dignity and respect. It warns against any form of oppression or mistreatment towards those in need, reminding us that by being generous to the needy, we bring honor and glory to God.
2 Corinthians 9:6
“The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.”
This verse encourages us to adopt a mindset of abundance when it comes to giving and helping others. It teaches us that the more generous we are, the more blessings we will receive in return. It challenges us to sow bountifully in the lives of others, trusting in God’s faithfulness and provision.
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 divine reward of generosity towards the poor. When we extend our help to those in need, we are essentially lending to the Lord, and He promises to repay us for our acts of kindness and compassion.
Mark 9:41
“For truly, I say to you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ will by no means lose his reward.”
This verse emphasizes the value of even the smallest acts of kindness. It assures us that when we show love and care to others, especially to fellow believers, God sees and will reward our actions, no matter how insignificant they may seem.
Proverbs 22:9
“Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor.”
This verse speaks of the blessings that come to those who have a generous spirit. When we willingly share what we have with the poor and those in need, God promises to bless us abundantly, ensuring that our own needs are met as well.
1 Timothy 6:18
“They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share.”
This verse highlights the call for believers to actively engage in doing good works. It encourages us to excel in acts of generosity and be ready to share our resources and blessings with others. It is through such actions that we fulfill our purpose and reflect God’s character.
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 teaches us that when we help others, especially those who are considered the least or most vulnerable, we are actually serving and pleasing God. It reminds us of the interconnectedness of humanity and the importance of treating others with love and compassion.
James 2:15-16
“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?”
This verse cautions against empty words and hypocritical behavior. It emphasizes the importance of taking tangible actions to help those in need instead of merely offering empty wishes. It challenges us to be proactive in meeting the practical needs of our brothers and sisters.
Luke 10:36-37
“Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.”
This verse comes from the parable of the Good Samaritan, where Jesus teaches us about the importance of showing mercy and compassion to others. It challenges us to be good neighbors, actively seeking opportunities to help those in need, just as the Samaritan did.
Galatians 5:13
“For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”
This verse reminds us that as believers, we are called to use our freedom not for selfish desires but to serve and love one another. It encourages us to leverage our liberty to help and support our brothers and sisters in Christ, showcasing God’s love through our actions.
Proverbs 28:27
“Whoever gives to the poor will not want, but he who hides his eyes will get many a curse.”
This verse emphasizes the connection between giving to the poor and experiencing a lack of lack. When we generously help those in need, God ensures that our own needs are met. However, neglecting or ignoring the poor brings negative consequences upon ourselves.