The term "poorly" is not directly found in the Bible; however, the concept of being in a poor or inadequate condition, whether physically, spiritually, or materially, is addressed throughout Scripture. The Bible provides numerous insights into how God views those who are in a state of need or lacking in some way, and how believers are called to respond to such conditions.

Physical and Material Poverty

The Bible frequently addresses the condition of material poverty and the responsibility of God's people to care for the poor. In Deuteronomy 15:11 , it is written, "For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you to open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor in your land." This passage underscores the perpetual presence of poverty and the divine mandate to show generosity and compassion.

Proverbs 19:17 states, "Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender." This verse highlights the spiritual significance of aiding those in need, suggesting that acts of kindness towards the poor are seen as acts of service to God Himself.

Spiritual Poverty

Spiritual poverty, or the recognition of one's need for God, is a theme that runs deeply through the teachings of Jesus. In the Beatitudes, Jesus declares, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:3). This statement emphasizes the blessedness of those who acknowledge their spiritual neediness and dependence on God, promising them the riches of the kingdom of heaven.

The parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector in Luke 18:9-14 illustrates the concept of spiritual poverty. The tax collector, aware of his sinfulness, humbly prays, "God, have mercy on me, a sinner" (Luke 18:13). Jesus commends this attitude of humility and repentance, indicating that spiritual poverty is a posture that leads to justification before God.

Response to Poverty

The Bible calls believers to respond to poverty with compassion and action. James 2:15-17 challenges Christians to demonstrate their faith through deeds: "Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you tells them, 'Go in peace; stay warm and well fed,' but does not provide for their physical needs, what good is that? So too, faith by itself, if it does not result in action, is dead."

The early church exemplified this response in Acts 4:34-35 , where it is recorded, "There were no needy ones among them, because those who owned lands or houses would sell their property, bring the proceeds from the sales, and lay them at the apostles’ feet for distribution to anyone as he had need." This communal sharing ensured that the needs of all were met, reflecting the love and unity within the body of Christ.

God's Heart for the Poor

Throughout Scripture, God reveals His heart for the poor and marginalized. Psalm 34:6 declares, "This poor man called out, and the LORD heard him; He saved him from all his troubles." God's attentiveness to the cries of the poor is a recurring theme, demonstrating His compassion and willingness to deliver those in distress.

In Isaiah 61:1 , the prophetic mission of the Messiah is described: "The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to bring good news to the poor." Jesus, in His earthly ministry, fulfilled this prophecy, bringing hope and salvation to those who were spiritually and materially impoverished.

In summary, while the term "poorly" may not appear explicitly in the Bible, the Scriptures provide a comprehensive understanding of poverty in its various forms and the divine call to respond with love, generosity, and humility.1. (adv.) In a poor manner or condition; without plenty, or sufficiency, or suitable provision for comfort; as, to live poorly.

2. (adv.) With little or no success; indifferently; with little profit or advantage; as, to do poorly in business.

3. (adv.) Meanly; without spirit.

4. (adv.) Without skill or merit; as, he performs poorly.

5. (a.) Somewhat ill; indisposed; not in health.

1130. gumniteuo -- to be naked or poorly clothed
... to be naked or poorly clothed. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: gumniteuo Phonetic
Spelling: (goom-nayt-yoo'-o) Short Definition: I am poorly clad ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1130.htm - 6k

1131. gumnos -- naked, poorly clothed
... naked, poorly clothed. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: gumnos Phonetic
Spelling: (goom-nos') Short Definition: wearing only the under-garment, bare ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1131.htm - 6k

A Prisoner who Became a Mighty Ruler
... Then seven other cows came up after them out of the Nile, poorly fed and thin,
and they stood by the other cows on the bank of the Nile. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/a prisoner who became a.htm

Brorson's Childhood and Youth
... Its once fine buildings were decaying; its faculty, which in former times included
some of the best known savants of the country, was poorly paid and poorly ...
/.../hymns and hymnwriters of denmark/chapter eight brorsons childhood and.htm

Joseph, a Servant, a Prisoner, and a Saint.
... Behind them came seven other cows, looking thin and poorly fed, and the
thin and poorly fed cows ate up the well-kept and fat ones. ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter vii joseph a servant.htm

Christian Consolation in Loneliness
... He who cannot retire within himself, and find his best resources there, is fitted,
perhaps, for the smoother passages of life, but poorly prepared for all life ...
/.../chapin/the crown of thorns/christian consolation in loneliness.htm

Ignatius Leaves his Native Land --What He did at Montserrat and at ...
... He was sorely troubled as he thought over the conduct of his recent fellow-traveler,
and felt that he had but poorly acquitted himself of his duty of honoring ...
/.../loyola/the autobiography of st ignatius/chapter ii ignatius leaves his.htm

'Thine is the Kingdom'
... I have felt all along how poorly my words served me to say even what I saw, and
how poorly my vision saw into the clear depths of the divine prayer. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/thine is the kingdom.htm

Chapter xxi
... Such sallies at the reliability of the Word, though poorly substantiated, are yet
extremely harmful. The initial we is adversative (KS360 b). 14. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxi.htm

The Ten Commandments
... We must fear and love God, so that we will neither take our neighbor's money or
property, nor acquire it by fraud or by selling him poorly made products, but ...
/.../luther/the small catechism of martin luther/i the ten commandments.htm

The Conflict.
... The arts and astronomy of Egypt harmonize very poorly with the idea that modern
scientists have all the wisdom and intelligence known in the history of the ages ...
/.../the conflict.htm

Concerning Christian Liberty
... a living fountain, springing up into eternal life, as Christ calls it in John
4.p>Now, though I cannot boast of my abundance, and though I know how poorly I am ...
/.../luther/concerning christian liberty/concerning christian liberty.htm

Poorly (3 Occurrences)
... 1. (adv.) In a poor manner or condition; without plenty, or sufficiency, or suitable
provision for comfort; as, to live poorly. ...Poorly (3 Occurrences). ...
/p/poorly.htm - 7k

Poplar (4 Occurrences)

/p/poplar.htm - 10k

Naked (56 Occurrences)
... This word denotes (1) absolute nakedness (Genesis 2:25; Job 1:21; Ecclesiastes
5:15; Micah 1:8; Amos 2:16); (2) being poorly clad (Isaiah 58:7; James 2:15). ...
/n/naked.htm - 29k

Lacks (27 Occurrences)
... given to him. (WEB NAS RSV NIV). James 2:15 Suppose a Christian brother or
sister is poorly clad or lacks daily food, (WEY). 2 Peter 1 ...
/l/lacks.htm - 13k

Render (95 Occurrences)
... 9. (vt) To interpret; to set forth, represent, or exhibit; as, an actor renders
his part poorly; a singer renders a passage of music with great effect; a ...
/r/render.htm - 36k

Dream (82 Occurrences)
... normal waking experience, it will easily be seen that the excitation of certain
centers will awaken certain trains of thought which are but poorly related to ...
/d/dream.htm - 47k

Dreamer (4 Occurrences)
... normal waking experience, it will easily be seen that the excitation of certain
centers will awaken certain trains of thought which are but poorly related to ...
/d/dreamer.htm - 18k

Drinker (6 Occurrences)
... Proverbs 23:21 For those who take delight in drink and feasting will come to be
in need; and through love of sleep a man will be poorly clothed. (See NAS). ...
/d/drinker.htm - 8k

Meanly (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (adv.) Moderately. 2. (adv.) In a mean manner; unworthily;
basely; poorly; ungenerously. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/m/meanly.htm - 6k

Perform (155 Occurrences)
... self in any business; esp., to represent sometimes by action; to act a part; to
play on a musical instrument; as, the players perform poorly; the musician ...
/p/perform.htm - 41k

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