New Testament Laws Regarding the Poor

These are more or less the same as the Old Testament. Since Israel, the nation, is different from Christians, a group of people who are followers of Jesus Christ, the principles are the same even if the law, rule, is worded differently.

The principle, the foundation, of helping others is LOVE.

B1 Verses

C1 2 Corinthians 8:9 GNB  You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ; rich as he was, he made himself poor for your sake, in order to make you rich by means of his poverty.

C2 Luke 4:18-19 GNB  "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has chosen me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free the oppressed  (19)  and announce that the time has come when the Lord will save his people."

B2 Comments

C1 The Lord Jesus had everything in the way of riches. He needed nothing. When He chose and was sent to be the Savior in the Virgin’s womb, he choose to be born into a poor family.

C2 Jesus preached to the poor. He was especially interested in the SPIRITUALLY poor, that is, those who are humble, but He was interested in the poor economically and socially.

The Lord Jesus shows concern for the poor.

B1 Verses

C1 Matthew 19:21 GNB  Jesus said to him, "If you want to be perfect, go and sell all you have and give the money to the poor, and you will have riches in heaven; then come and follow me."

C2 John 12:8 GNB  You will always have poor people with you, but you will not always have me."

C3 John 13:29 GNB  Since Judas was in charge of the money bag, some of the disciples thought that Jesus had told him to go and buy what they needed for the festival, or to give something to the poor.

C4 Luke 19:8 GNB  Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, "Listen, sir! I will give half my belongings to the poor, and if I have cheated anyone, I will pay back four times as much."

C5 Luke 21:3 GNB  He said, "I tell you that this poor widow put in more than all the others.

C6 Acts 2:45 GNB  They would sell their property and possessions, and distribute the money among all, according to what each one needed.

C7 Galatians 2:10 GNB  All they asked was that we should remember the needy in their group, which is the very thing I have been eager to do.

C8 Romans 15:26 GNB  For the churches in Macedonia and Achaia have freely decided to give an offering to help the poor among God's people in Jerusalem.

C9 James 2:5-9 GNB  Listen, my dear friends! God chose the poor people of this world to be rich in faith and to possess the kingdom which he promised to those who love him.  (6)  But you dishonor the poor! Who are the ones who oppress you and drag you before the judges? The rich!  (7)  They are the ones who speak evil of that good name which has been given to you.  (8)  You will be doing the right thing if you obey the law of the Kingdom, which is found in the scripture, "Love your neighbor as you love yourself."  (9)  But if you treat people according to their outward appearance, you are guilty of sin, and the Law condemns you as a lawbreaker.

C10 1 John 3:17-18 GNB  If we are rich and see others in need, yet close our hearts against them, how can we claim that we love God?  (18)  My children, our love should not be just words and talk; it must be true love, which shows itself in action.

B2 Comments

C1 The rich, young ruler had some problems.

D1 He thought those who were rich had special spiritual blessings and were guaranteed heaven. This was because “God is blessing me so much, He must be well pleased with me.”

D2 Money was more important than God. He was covetous.

D3 He refused to have the real spiritual blessings that the Lord Jesus would give—riches in heaven.

D4 His concern for his money was more important than his concern for the poor. It was this attitude that was breaking the Old Testament verses about helping the poor.

C2 Jesus is more important than money.

C3 Jesus was in the habit of giving to the poor.

C4  Zacchaeus was a changed man. God had given him a new heart because he believed who the Lord Jesus was and what He could do. This is reflected in the deeds that he did after becoming a believer.

C5 The Lord Jesus took knowledge of the poor widow’s gift. It is not the amount, but the attitude that is important. We may give little, but God knows if we have little and will bless us for what we give. If one is poor, they may not be able to give a lot.

C6 The early church gave money, belongings, and land to help their brethren. The brethren were more important than possessions.

C7 Paul reminded the members of the local church to collect money and articles to help the poor.

C8 People, whether Christian or not, have the tendency to horde. James, under inspiration, reminds us that we should not give special attention, respect, honor, privileges, etc. to the rich. It would be better to give to the poor.

C9 God does look at our actions and will judge accordingly.

C10 Works do not save; faith in Jesus Christ saves. Giving to help the poor and needy does have a place in the Christian life.

Old Testament Laws Regarding the Poor

A1 God’s concern for the poor and why

B1 Concern

C1 Verses

D1 Deuteronomy 24:21-22 GNB  When you have gathered your grapes once, do not go back over the vines a second time; the grapes that are left are for the foreigners, orphans, and widows.  (22)  Never forget that you were slaves in Egypt; that is why I have given you this command.

D2 Exodus 22:21-27 GNB  "Do not mistreat or oppress a foreigner; remember that you were foreigners in Egypt.  (22)  Do not mistreat any widow or orphan.  (23)  If you do, I, the LORD, will answer them when they cry out to me for help,  (24)  and I will become angry and kill you in war. Your wives will become widows, and your children will be fatherless.  (25)  "If you lend money to any of my people who are poor, do not act like a moneylender and require him to pay interest.  (26)  If you take someone's cloak as a pledge that he will pay you, you must give it back to him before the sun sets,  (27)  because it is the only covering he has to keep him warm. What else can he sleep in? When he cries out to me for help, I will answer him because I am merciful.

D3 Deuteronomy 24:14-15 GNB  "Do not cheat poor and needy hired servants, whether they are Israelites or foreigners living in one of your towns.  (15)  Each day before sunset pay them for that day's work; they need the money and have counted on getting it. If you do not pay them, they will cry out against you to the LORD, and you will be guilty of sin.

D4 Proverbs 19:17 GNB  When you give to the poor, it is like lending to the LORD, and the LORD will pay you back.

D5 Ecclesiastes 5:8 GNB  Don't be surprised when you see that the government oppresses the poor and denies them justice and their rights. Every official is protected by someone higher, and both are protected by still higher officials.

C2 Comments

D1 God shows concern and compassion. He commands all, if able, to help them.

D2 Israelites were to be helped economically and socially for sure, but the non-Israelites, Gentiles, the foreigners, were to be helped also.

D3 God takes a dim view of those who are able to help in these ways but refuse.

D4 God becomes angry when he sees employers cheat their employees of their wages, when government officials oppress the poor and treat the rich differently, and when the lender knows that a pledge will hurt the life of the person and their family.

B2 Taxes for the poor

C1 Verses

D1 Deuteronomy 14:28-29 GNB  At the end of every third year bring the tithe of all your crops and store it in your towns.  (29)  This food is for the Levites, since they own no property, and for the foreigners, orphans, and widows who live in your towns. They are to come and get all they need. Do this, and the LORD your God will bless you in everything you do.

D2 Deuteronomy 26:12-13 GNB  "Every third year give the tithe—a tenth of your crops—to the Levites, the foreigners, the orphans, and the widows, so that in every community they will have all they need to eat. When you have done this,  (13)  say to the LORD, 'None of the sacred tithe is left in my house; I have given it to the Levites, the foreigners, the orphans, and the widows, as you commanded me to do. I have not disobeyed or forgotten any of your commands concerning the tithe.

D3 Deuteronomy 15:9-10 GNB  Do not refuse to lend them something, just because the year when debts are canceled is near. Do not let such an evil thought enter your mind. If you refuse to make the loan, they will cry out to the LORD against you, and you will be held guilty.  (10)  Give to them freely and unselfishly, and the LORD will bless you in everything you do.

D4 Exodus 23:10-12 GNB  "For six years plant your land and gather in what it produces.  (11)  But in the seventh year let it rest, and do not harvest anything that grows on it. The poor may eat what grows there, and the wild animals can have what is left. Do the same with your vineyards and your olive trees.  (12)  "Work six days a week, but do no work on the seventh day, so that your slaves and the foreigners who work for you and even your animals can rest.

D5 Leviticus 19:9-11 GNB  "When you harvest your fields, do not cut the grain at the edges of the fields, and do not go back to cut the heads of grain that were left.  (10)  Do not go back through your vineyard to gather the grapes that were missed or to pick up the grapes that have fallen; leave them for poor people and foreigners. I am the LORD your God.  (11)  "Do not steal or cheat or lie.

D6 Deuteronomy 15:1 GNB  "At the end of every seventh year you are to cancel the debts of those who owe you money.

C2 Comments

D1 There was a special tax taken every three years that was specifically collected for the poor. This included Israelites and foreigners living in that land.

D2 Those that had means could not refuse to make a loan to the poor. Israelites could not be charged interest. Those that had the means could not have bad attitudes about lending either.

D3 Every seventh year, the land could not be tilled or farmed. What grew there was allowed for both owner and the hungry. They could gather for themselves but could not gather enough to carry it away (they might sell it, instead of satisfying their hunger).

D4 The corners of the field were to left as food for the poor and hungry. The field could not be gone over a second time for the same reason.

D5 Stealing was condemned by God. Stealing could be taking from them or not allowing them to have.

D6 Debts were to be cancelled every seven years.

B3 Duties

C1 Verses

D1 Psalms 41:1 GNB  Happy are those who are concerned for the poor; the LORD will help them when they are in trouble.

D2 Psalms 72:2-4 GNB  so that he will rule over your people with justice and govern the oppressed with righteousness.  (3)  May the land enjoy prosperity; may it experience righteousness.  (4)  May the king judge the poor fairly; may he help the needy and defeat their oppressors.

D3 Proverbs 17:5 GNB  If you make fun of poor people, you insult the God who made them. You will be punished if you take pleasure in someone's misfortune.

D4 Proverbs 22:9 GNB  Be generous and share your food with the poor. You will be blessed for it.

D5 Proverbs 28:3-6 GNB  Someone in authority who oppresses poor people is like a driving rain that destroys the crops.  (4)  If you have no regard for the law, you are on the side of the wicked; but if you obey it, you are against them.  (5)  Evil people do not know what justice is, but those who worship the LORD understand it well.  (6)  Better to be poor and honest than rich and dishonest.

D6 Isaiah 58:7-8 GNB  Share your food with the hungry and open your homes to the homeless poor. Give clothes to those who have nothing to wear, and do not refuse to help your own relatives.  (8)  "Then my favor will shine on you like the morning sun, and your wounds will be quickly healed. I will always be with you to save you; my presence will protect you on every side.

D7 Psalms 112:9 GNB  He gives generously to the needy, and his kindness never fails; he will be powerful and respected.

C2 Comments

D1 The Lord is happy when the poor are helped.

D2 A good leader, in God’s judgment, judges the poor the same as he judges the rich, is aware and helps the poor, and does not approve when the people are oppressed by corrupt people.

D3 It is wrong in God’s sight to mock the poor.

D4 There are blessings in sharing with the poor.

D5 Leaders who oppress the poor will have a special judgment and punishment from God.

D6 Being poor and honest is better than being rich and a liar.

D7 As much as we are able, we are to help the poor with what we have.

D8 God notices how we help or don’t help people. It will not give salvation, as salvation cannot be earned.