The Bible consistently addresses the plight of the poor and the responsibility of others to care for them. From the Old Testament to the New Testament, Scripture provides guidance on how the poor should be treated and highlights the blessings associated with helping them.

Old Testament Teachings

The Old Testament law includes numerous provisions for the care of the poor. In Leviticus 19:9-10 , God commands the Israelites: "When you reap the harvest of your land, you are not to reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. You must not strip your vineyard bare or gather its fallen grapes. Leave them for the poor and the foreigner. I am the LORD your God." This commandment reflects God's concern for the poor and His desire for His people to provide for them.

The book of Deuteronomy further emphasizes this responsibility. Deuteronomy 15:7-8 instructs: "If there is a poor man among your brothers within any of the gates in the land that the LORD your God is giving you, you are not to harden your heart or shut your hand from your poor brother. Instead, you are to open your hand to him and freely loan him whatever he needs." This passage underscores the importance of generosity and compassion towards those in need.

The wisdom literature also speaks to the treatment of the poor. 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 reward associated with helping the poor, portraying it as an act of service to God Himself.

New Testament Teachings

The New Testament continues the theme of caring for the poor, with Jesus Christ serving as the ultimate example. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus teaches about the final judgment, where He identifies Himself with the needy: "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 took Me in" (Matthew 25:35). This passage illustrates the profound connection between serving the poor and serving Christ.

The early church also prioritized the care of the poor. In Acts 4:34-35 , it is recorded that "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 approach to addressing poverty reflects the unity and love that characterized the early Christian community.

The Apostle Paul, in his letters, encourages believers to remember the poor. In Galatians 2:10 , he writes, "They only asked us to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do." Paul's commitment to aiding the poor is evident throughout his ministry, as he organized collections for the impoverished believers in Jerusalem (Romans 15:26).

The Role of Friends of the Poor

Throughout Scripture, those who advocate for and assist the poor are commended. Job, in his defense, recounts his care for the needy: "I rescued the poor who cried out, and the fatherless who had no helper" (Job 29:12). Job's actions exemplify the righteous behavior expected of those who are able to help.

In the New Testament, the account of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37) serves as a powerful illustration of compassion and mercy. The Samaritan, moved by pity, tends to the wounds of a man left for dead, providing for his needs without expectation of reward. This parable teaches that true friendship to the poor transcends social and ethnic boundaries.

The Bible's consistent message is clear: the poor are to be treated with dignity and compassion, and those who assist them are fulfilling God's command. The friends of the poor are those who, motivated by love and obedience to God, actively seek to alleviate their suffering and meet their needs.