Definition and Context
Poverty, in the biblical context, refers to the state of lacking material possessions or wealth. It is often associated with vulnerability, dependence, and humility. The Bible addresses poverty extensively, providing guidance on how the poor should be treated and offering insights into the spiritual dimensions of poverty.

Old Testament References
The Old Testament frequently addresses the issue of poverty, emphasizing justice and compassion. In Deuteronomy 15:11 , it is stated, "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 verse highlights the perpetual presence of poverty and the responsibility of the community to support those in need.

The Law of Moses includes provisions for the poor, such as the gleaning laws found in Leviticus 19:9-10 : "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." These laws ensured that the poor could gather food and sustain themselves.

The prophets also spoke against the oppression of the poor. In Isaiah 10:1-2 , the prophet condemns those who enact unjust laws and deprive the poor of their rights: "Woe to those who enact unjust statutes and issue oppressive decrees, to deprive the poor of justice and withhold the rights of the oppressed of My people, to make widows their prey and rob the fatherless."

New Testament Teachings
In the New Testament, Jesus' teachings and actions reflect a deep concern for the poor. In the Beatitudes, Jesus declares, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:3). This statement highlights the spiritual dimension of poverty, suggesting that those who recognize their spiritual need are blessed.

Jesus' ministry often focused on the marginalized and impoverished. In Luke 4:18 , Jesus reads from the scroll of Isaiah, proclaiming, "The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor." This mission statement underscores the importance of addressing both physical and spiritual poverty.

The early church also demonstrated concern for 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 sharing ensured that the needs of the poor were met within the Christian community.

Spiritual Implications
Poverty in the Bible is not only a physical condition but also a spiritual metaphor. It represents a state of dependence on God and a recognition of one's need for His grace. In Revelation 3:17-18 , the church in Laodicea is admonished for their spiritual complacency: "You say, ‘I am rich; I have grown wealthy and need nothing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich; white garments so that you may be clothed and your shameful nakedness not exposed; and salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see."

Christian Responsibility
The Bible calls believers to act justly and show mercy to the poor. Proverbs 19:17 states, "Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender." This verse emphasizes the value God places on caring for the poor and the promise of His reward for such acts of kindness.

James 2:15-17 challenges Christians to demonstrate their faith through action: "Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you tells him, 'Go in peace; stay warm and well fed,' but does not provide for his physical needs, what good is that? So too, faith by itself, if it does not result in action, is dead." This passage underscores the necessity of practical assistance to those in poverty as an expression of genuine faith.2 Kings 4:1
Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets to Elisha, saying, Your servant my husband is dead; and you know that your servant did fear the LORD: and the creditor is come to take to him my two sons to be slaves.
Nave's Topical Index

Chapter viii.
... of poverty: for the former is poverty of substance, the latter poverty of disposition. ...
with the prayer offered every night by the ten thousand students at the ...
/.../augustine/our lords sermon on the mount/chapter viii 2.htm

His Training.
... walks of life, and from a severe contest with poverty and obstacles of ... discipline
of convent life; studied and labored among professors, students, and libraries ...
//christianbookshelf.org/schaff/the person of christ/his training.htm

The Golden Age, 1572-1603.
... They had seen the evils of poverty, and they did their best to end them. ... Bishop Speratus,
they began the practice of sending some of their students to foreign ...
/.../hutton/history of the moravian church/chapter xii the golden age.htm

Chapter seventeen
... the west coast of Jutland, where he died in abject poverty in 1758 ... Walkendorf's
Collegium, an institution for the aid of indigent but promising young students. ...
/.../aaberg/hymns and hymnwriters of denmark/chapter seventeen.htm

Women who Witnessed the Fall of Rome
... that their less heavenly-minded sisters were as assiduous students of the ... So the
poverty-stricken Roman citizen was both necessarily and willingly unemployed. ...
/.../brittain/women of early christianity/vii women who witnessed the.htm

One Worker Preparing for Another
... Now, we have here many ministers of God and students, Davids and Solomons; but I ...
In the margin of your Bibles, you will find the words, "in my poverty." It is ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 38 1892/one worker preparing for another.htm

The Ministry of Women
... you to take that central figure with this external fact of His poverty, of the ... men
in your counting-houses and behind your counters, and you students at your ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/the ministry of women.htm

Commodianus
... Tertullian, Lactantius and Papias as authorities he adopted and inculcated in his
students good ethical principles and especially a voluntary love of poverty. ...
/.../jerome and gennadius lives of illustrious men /chapter xv commodianus.htm

The Mendicant Orders
... their daily bread, and were prevented by their vow of poverty from seeking ... would
give no redress, the whole body of masters and students dispersed themselves ...
/.../medley/the church and the empire/chapter xiii the mendicant orders.htm

John Wycliffe.
... There was a marked falling off in the number of students in attendance at ...
Notwithstanding their profession of poverty, the wealth of the friars was constantly ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /5 john wycliffe.htm

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