9 Jesus Quotes About The Poor

What did Jesus say about poverty? Today's news is full of speculation and debate about the national debt, taxes and potential cuts to vital programs that serve those in need. However, the conversation often seems overly caught up in the minutiae of politics and media coverage rather than the real people that these decisions affect.

In our search for wisdom on the matter, we thought it appropriate to turn to the teachings of Jesus -- someone who had plenty to say about the way we value those less fortunate than ourselves.

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Luke 6:20-21

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Luke 6:20-21 Then he looked up at his disciples and said: 'Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. 'Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. 'Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.

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Luke 6:20-21 Then he looked up at his disciples and said: 'Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.

'Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. 'Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.

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Verses from the New Revised Standard Version.

Comments

[lumberman]

11:34 AM on 09/01/2011

And just because you always have the poor with you does not mean for one instance you use that as an excuse not to help them when you can.

[lumberman]

11:32 AM on 09/01/2011

This world has been fighting this issues for generation after generation. And yet in this country alone you still have the poor.To be a beacon of light to the rest of the world you have to solve these issues in your own country first.

[lumberman]

11:25 AM on 09/01/2011

You tell me where after all these jobs are farmed out a government that is said should not help the poor and the mega rich where do the poor ever become able to gain a footing to help themselves?

[lumberman]

11:18 AM on 09/01/2011

To those christians that honestly believe in the theory that the government is not responsible to help the poor,the mega rich are not supposed to help the poor,the people who get tax breaks to farm jobs over seas so you can't help the poor you tell me who is left to help the poor? When jobs are farmed out and unemployment is this high the unemployed can't take care of themselves let alone help the poor or the churches that due.So tell me how do politicians that come out and say they have God in mind and supposedly are christian founding fathers support that notion?

[lumberman]

11:05 AM on 09/01/2011

Most Christians know that taking care of the poor is an essential of the faith.How else would you love your neighbor as yourself.By telling him you can't help him because the other side needs another car or mansion.Well it is certainly true that the poor will always be with us but only one time in the gospel did Jesus rebuke his disciples for wanting to sell expensive anointing to give the money to the poor and that when he was being anointed for his burial by mary.

[lumberman]

10:56 AM on 09/01/2011

That is just why they would forget the poor and the needy to hang on to those rich mansions and cars.I really do not get that out of christianity especially when the apostle paul was working with hands and delivering an offering.

[lumberman]

10:53 AM on 09/01/2011

Mega Churches with multiple mansions and cars mmmm.They are practicing free market capitalism.

[speedy Gonzales]

08:22 PM on 08/21/2011

The Bible states that upon receiving Christ we (I) am an heir to all that is. How do we grasp Eternity? How do we grasp that what we do on earth is seen by God? How do we look into the heavens and grasp that is endless. We are so intelligent that we think that we understand our current being and we know nothing. What are we asked to do as God's children for the poor? How can it not make sense that a blessing given FOREVER has responsibility? The passage in Matthew goes on to say that those who did not help the poor were and will be cast into a lake of fire!!! Read the whole Bible, it is not a Punch Line to be used when it serves our purpose. Yes, it is the responsibility of all. Jesus says the greatest in his eyes is He/She who is the greatest SERVANT!

[Ghanacan]

04:16 PM on 08/11/2011

It is blasphemy to view the image provided as being an image of Jesus!

[majmac9659]

04:00 PM on 08/10/2011

Our Savior's quotes on the poor have one common theme - it is an individual's responsibility to help those less fortunate. No where does He say it is the government's responsibility. Keep that in mind the next time some millionaire 'compassionate progressive" demands higher taxes to "help the poor".

[cdecisneros]

08:44 PM on 08/07/2011

MATT 25:34-36 should be required reading for politicians.

[MattJensen]

04:20 PM on 08/03/2011

Let us not forget about context here. The Scriptures contain many verses that speak of caring for the poor, but they also contain stories and examples of teaching peolpe how to care for themselves. Contextually, it's a little bit of both: feed the poor, but also teach them how to fish. To do one without the other is to take only half the teaching on the subject and use it to support our own agenda. I'd much rather read each verse fom Scripture in context to all of the others, rather than picking and choosing verses here and there that back up my predetermined idea.

[NancyPeske]

09:13 AM on 07/29/2011

When I read Jesus's words about our obligations to the poor, I find it interesting that there are no exceptions regarding which poor we help (the ones we like, or the ones we find unpleasant? the ones who let us preach our religion to them? the ones who are atheistic? the ones who don't express gratitude for our efforts?). Nor does he say HOW we're supposed to help them. Too often, I heard self-defined Christians say that it's inappropriate for the government to help the poor, that only churches and individuals should do so. But if government is the most efficient tool for helping ALL the poor, including the poor who are not open to religious preaching and who have no sense of gratitude because of where they are at this point on their journey, aren't we obliged to use that tool? That seems far more ethical than picking and choosing whom you help.
Then too, we can't neglect their spiritual hunger, according to Jesus (see first quote), but if that means demanding that they subscribe to our religious beliefs, isn't that about our ego rather than us helping them and honoring their individual spiritual journeys? Isn't praying in a closet all about getting your ego out of the way and simply seeing the beautiful soul in everyone, no matter how ugly they may appear externally?

[Mundane Egg]

06:33 AM on 07/28/2011

There are so many scriptures from the OT to the NT about poverty and a person of faith's response as required by God. Yet we have mega churches and ministers who are millionaires. We have people who claim to be follows of Jesus but are champions for the rich and not the poor.
These people are not followers of Christ. We have too many PROFITS and not enough PROPHETS...

[Rosie Green]

07:26 PM on 07/26/2011

REpublicans don't hate Big Government. They only hate it when its not going their way. Read how Americans are forced to pay for the Rich in America. But can't afford it for themselves.

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