Jesus didn’t just suggest helping the poor — He commanded it. Throughout His ministry, He consistently prioritized the needs of the hungry, sick, and marginalized. In passages like Matthew 25, He makes it clear that serving the poor is the same as serving Him. His life, His teachings, and the early church all point to one undeniable truth: helping the poor is a non-negotiable part of following Jesus.
This isn’t just about charity — it’s about living a faith that reflects the heart of God. From simple acts of kindness to larger commitments of time and resources, every believer has a role to play. Want to understand exactly what Jesus said, how the early church responded, and what it means for you today? Keep reading for a deeper dive into what the Bible really teaches about helping the poor.
If you’ve ever asked, “Did Jesus actually command us to help the poor?” — you’re not alone. This question comes up often in Bible studies, church sermons, and even in everyday conversations about faith and responsibility. The short answer? Yes, He absolutely did. But to really understand this command, we need to look at what Jesus said, what He did, and how His followers responded.
Let’s break it down clearly and directly.
1. Jesus Didn’t Just Suggest It — He Commanded It
Jesus didn’t leave helping the poor as a nice option or a bonus virtue. He made it central to how His followers should live.
Matthew 25:35-40 is one of the clearest examples. In this passage, Jesus is speaking about the final judgment. He says:
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink…”
Then the righteous ask, “When did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?”
Jesus replies, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
Here, Jesus connects helping the poor directly with serving Him. It’s not metaphorical. He’s literally saying that caring for the hungry, thirsty, sick, or imprisoned is how we care for Him.
2. Jesus Lived What He Preached
Jesus didn’t just talk about helping the poor — He lived it. He spent His time among the outcasts: the lepers, the blind, the beggars, and the broken. He healed, fed, and restored people who had nothing to offer in return.
- Feeding of the 5,000 (Matthew 14:13–21): Jesus feeds a massive crowd who had no food. He doesn’t ask what they can give back — He simply meets their need.
- Healing the beggars and sick (Mark 10:46–52, John 5:1–15): These weren’t powerful or influential people. They were desperate and poor. Jesus didn’t avoid them — He prioritized them.
If we’re supposed to follow Jesus, we can’t ignore the poor. He didn’t.
3. He Told His Disciples to Keep Helping the Poor
Jesus wasn’t alone in His compassion. He made sure His disciples continued this work.
In Matthew 10:7-8, He tells them:
“As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.”
The early church took this to heart.
- In Acts 4:32-35, we see believers sharing everything they had, ensuring “there were no needy persons among them.”
- Paul, arguably the most well-known early church leader, said in Galatians 2:10, “All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I had been eager to do all along.”
This wasn’t optional. It was foundational to the Christian faith.
4. Jesus Warned Against Ignoring the Poor
Jesus made it clear that failing to help the poor has serious spiritual consequences.
Let’s go back to Matthew 25:41–45 — the flip side of the earlier passage. This time, He addresses those who didn’t help the poor:
“I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat… Whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.”
That’s not symbolic. That’s direct accountability. Jesus is saying that when we ignore the poor, we’re ignoring Him.
5. Helping the Poor Is Part of True Worship
Sometimes, people think being religious just means going to church, praying, or reading the Bible. Those are good things — but Jesus (and the Old Testament prophets) make it clear that justice and compassion are part of real faith.
Look at this from Isaiah 58:6-7:
“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice… to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter?”
Jesus echoed this heart. In Luke 4:18, He quotes this same spirit when He says:
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.”
If our worship doesn’t include concern for the poor, we’re missing a big piece of what God values.
6. What Does This Mean for You Today?
This isn’t just about ancient history or theology. It’s about how you live your faith right now.
Here’s what Jesus’ teaching means in practical terms:
- It’s not about how much you give — it’s that you give.
The widow who gave two coins in Mark 12:41–44 was praised above rich people who gave much more. Why? Because she gave sacrificially. - It’s not only about money.
Helping the poor means giving your time, attention, and advocacy. It could be volunteering, mentoring, or standing up for people treated unfairly. - It’s not optional.
If you follow Jesus, helping the poor isn’t a side project — it’s central to who you are.
7. 5 Simple Ways You Can Start Helping the Poor
If you’re wondering where to start, try these:
- Donate to trustworthy charities – Look for ones that provide food, shelter, and clean water.
- Volunteer at a local shelter or food bank – Even 1 hour a week makes a difference.
- Keep care kits in your car – Small bags with water, snacks, socks, and toiletries to give to people in need.
- Support job training or housing programs – These help people escape poverty long-term.
- Speak up – Use your voice to advocate for fair wages, affordable housing, or better healthcare access.
Final Thought: It’s Personal
Jesus didn’t command us to help the poor because He needed us to complete a checklist. He did it because He loves the poor — and He loves you. He knows that when we give, we grow. When we care for others, we reflect the heart of God.
So if you’re serious about following Jesus, helping the poor isn’t something you might want to do.
It’s something you must do.
“Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will reward them for what they have done.” — Proverbs 19:17
That’s not just a command — it’s a promise.
10 FAQs About “Did Jesus Command Us to Help the Poor?”
1. Did Jesus command us to help the poor?
Yes, Jesus clearly commanded His followers to help the poor. In Matthew 25:35–40, He says that caring for the hungry, thirsty, and needy is the same as serving Him directly.
2. What Bible verses show Jesus telling us to help the poor?
Key verses include Matthew 25:35–45, Luke 4:18, and Mark 10:21. These passages show Jesus calling His followers to meet physical and spiritual needs, especially among the poor and marginalized.
3. Is helping the poor optional for Christians?
No, it’s not optional. Helping the poor is a command, not a suggestion. Jesus made it a central part of living out the gospel, and the early church followed His example closely.
4. Did Jesus Himself help the poor?
Absolutely. Jesus consistently served the poor, healed the sick, fed the hungry, and spent time with the outcasts. His life reflected deep compassion and practical care for those in need.
5. What did the early church do about poverty?
In Acts 4:32–35, the early Christians shared their resources so that “there were no needy persons among them.” They made caring for the poor a defining trait of the Christian community.
6. How can I help the poor in practical ways?
You can donate to charities, volunteer, support local shelters, advocate for fair policies, or give directly to those in need. Even small acts — like giving food or hygiene kits — matter.
7. Is giving money the only way to help the poor?
No. Giving your time, skills, voice, and compassion is just as valuable. Sometimes listening or helping someone find work or housing has an even greater impact than money.
8. What happens if Christians ignore the poor?
According to Matthew 25:45, Jesus warns that ignoring the poor is the same as ignoring Him. It’s a serious spiritual issue, not just a missed opportunity for good deeds.
9. Why does Jesus care so much about the poor?
Because God’s heart is with the humble and hurting. Scripture consistently shows God as a defender of the oppressed. Jesus came to bring good news especially to the poor (Luke 4:18).
10. Where can I start if I want to follow this command today?
Start small: volunteer locally, give what you can, or connect with organizations doing good work. Helping the poor doesn’t require perfection — just willingness and action.
