8 Bible Verses About Poverty: How Scripture Calls Us to Help

At Mosaic, we believe in the power of Scripture to guide our work and nowhere is that more evident than in how we mobilize the global Church to bring hope, healing, and holistic transformation to communities in need.

Whether we're mobilizing churches in the Philippines, resourcing pastors in South Asia, building homes in Rwanda, or bringing solar lights to remote villages in Tanzania, our efforts are rooted in God’s Word.

And when we turn to Scripture, it's undeniable: God cares deeply about those in poverty.

Let’s explore some powerful Bible verses about poverty that reveal God's heart for justice, generosity, and transformation.

1. God Lifts the Poor From the Dust

The Bible reminds us that God sees and raises up those who are forgotten by the world. Psalm 113:7-8 says:

"He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; He seats them with princes, with the princes of His people."

We believe that this is a call to action. In our work see this truth come alive in places like Rwanda, where our partners are helping women rise from cycles of generational poverty.

As we help provide food, shelter, education, and dignity, our goal is to always try to be the hands and feet of Jesus.

2. Proverbs 22: A Call to Righteousness and Justice

"The rich and the poor have this in common: The Lord is the Maker of them all." - Proverbs 22:2

God does not show favoritism based on wealth or status. Proverbs 22 reminds us that every life has value because it was crafted by the Creator. Whether it’s a vulnerable child in the Philippines or a pastor planting a church in South Asia, we are called to act with justice and compassion.

Proverbs 22:9 also offers this encouragement:

"The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor."

Generosity is not optional in the Kingdom of God, it’s essential. Those who give are not only helping others but receiving blessings in return.

3. Luke 6:20-21: The Upside-Down Kingdom

"Looking at his disciples, he said: 'Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.'" - Luke 6:20-21

In Jesus’ Kingdom, the poor are not forgotten; they are prioritized. "Blessed are you who weep" and "Blessed are the poor" are not just comforting words, they are radical declarations.

Our partners in Tanzania are living this out as they equip churches to minister in regions where clean water is scarce and witchcraft is prevalent.

Through this work, the poor inherit the Kingdom not just in eternity, but in the here and now. Learn about one of our most recent stories from Tanzania here.

4. Deuteronomy 15: Open Your Hand

In Deuteronomy 15:7-11, we find a foundational call to care for the needy:

"If anyone is poor among your fellow Israelites... do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward them. Rather, be openhanded and freely lend them whatever they need."

And in verse 11:

"There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore, I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land."

This posture of generosity is exactly what fuels our efforts to build Dream Centers in the Philippines, spaces where low-income youth can be educated, fed, and empowered to break the cycle of poverty.

5. Isaiah 61: The Spirit of the Lord Sends Us

"The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor." - Isaiah 61:1

This verse was echoed by Jesus Himself in Luke 4, and here at Mosaic, we take this commissioning seriously. In this verse, we believe he has called us to proclaim, empower, lift, and love. Whether we are working in South Asia or training women in Rwanda, we are declaring that the poor matter deeply to God.

6. Leave Them for the Poor

God commanded His people not to harvest every last piece of their crop:

"When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges... Leave them for the poor and for the foreigner residing among you. I am the Lord your God." - Leviticus 23:22

This practice of intentional margin reveals God’s heart for inclusion. At Mosaic, we strive to build similar margins in our budgets, our programs, and our giving circles, spaces that allow us to respond to emergencies, plant new churches, and bring hope where it’s needed most.

7. Brothers or Sisters in Need

1 John 3:17 poses a convicting question:

"If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?"

The Kingdom of God is not a private club; it’s a family. And when brothers or sisters around the world are suffering, we must answer. That’s why we partner with local leaders like Pastors Edwin & Jo in the Philippines and Pastors Francis & Vickie in Tanzania, they are boots on the ground, meeting real needs with real solutions.

8. Answer Them: I the Lord Your God Will Provide

Psalm 12:5 reminds us:

"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."

God is not passive toward suffering. He promises, "Answer them: I the Lord your God will arise."

Be a Part of the Answer

We know the challenges of poverty are vast, but Scripture shows us that the dust and lifts, the needy from the ash, and the raises the poor all point back to one central truth: God has not forgotten the vulnerable. And neither can we.

Mosaic International exists to partner with God’s people around the world to see the poor lifted, the churches mobilized, and the Kingdom of God made visible.

Together, let’s answer the call. Learn more about how you can make an impact with Mosaic here.

MOSAIC INTERNATIONAL