Jesus spoke often and clearly about the poor, showing that caring for them is at the heart of His mission. From blessing the poor in spirit to challenging the rich young ruler to give up his wealth, Jesus emphasized humility, generosity, and compassion. He identified Himself with the poor, teaching that how we treat them is how we treat Him. His words were never vague—He called His followers to take action.
If you’re serious about following Jesus, you can’t ignore His words about the poor. These verses aren’t just moral suggestions—they’re direct calls to live differently. Keep reading to dive deeper into the exact scriptures where Jesus speaks about the poor, what they mean, and how they apply to your everyday life.
If you’re reading the Bible and want to understand how Jesus viewed the poor, you’ll find that He spoke about them often—and with a lot of compassion. Jesus didn’t just preach charity. He lived it. He fed the hungry, healed the sick, and called His followers to care for those in need.
In this article, we’re going to look at key verses where Jesus talks directly about the poor. We’ll also break down what He meant and how it applies to your life today.
Why Jesus Cared Deeply for the Poor
Jesus came to serve, not to be served. In Luke 4:18, He lays out His mission clearly:
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.” (Luke 4:18, NIV)
This was the first public message He gave in the synagogue. Right from the start, He made it known: the poor matter deeply to God.
Jesus didn’t see poverty as a side issue. For Him, it was central to the Kingdom of God. The poor weren’t a charity case. They were people made in God’s image, worthy of dignity, justice, and hope.
Key Bible Verses Where Jesus Talks About the Poor
Let’s walk through the most important moments where Jesus speaks directly about the poor. Each of these verses teaches something unique.
1. The Sermon on the Mount – Matthew 5:3
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
This verse is sometimes misunderstood. Jesus isn’t just talking about financial poverty here. “Poor in spirit” means being humble and recognizing your need for God. But don’t miss the bigger message: Jesus is saying that the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to the lowly—not the proud, rich, or powerful.
Still, in Luke 6:20, the same beatitude is given in more literal terms:
“Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.”
Here, Jesus is clearly talking about material poverty. He’s flipping the world’s value system upside down. Being poor doesn’t make you forgotten by God—it makes you central to His plan.
2. The Rich Young Ruler – Matthew 19:21
A wealthy man came to Jesus asking what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus told him:
“If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” (Matthew 19:21)
This wasn’t a random test. Jesus saw that this man’s wealth had become an idol. He couldn’t follow Jesus fully unless he let go of it.
Key takeaway? Generosity toward the poor isn’t optional. It’s part of discipleship.
3. The Sheep and the Goats – Matthew 25:31–46
This is one of the most direct teachings about caring for the poor. Jesus describes the final judgment, where He separates people like a shepherd separates sheep from goats. To the “sheep,” He says:
“I was hungry and you gave me something to eat… whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
And to the others:
“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.”
Jesus identifies Himself with the poor. Ignoring them is like ignoring Him. Serving them is serving Him.
4. “You Will Always Have the Poor With You” – John 12:8
This line is often taken out of context. Jesus said:
“You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me.”
At first glance, it may seem like He’s downplaying the importance of helping the poor. But He was actually defending a woman who had just anointed Him with expensive perfume—a one-time act of worship before His death. He wasn’t saying ignore the poor. He was saying this moment is unique—I’m about to die.
In fact, Jesus was quoting Deuteronomy 15:11, which says:
“There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded…”
So no, Jesus wasn’t excusing inaction. He was reminding them of their ongoing duty to care for the poor.
5. The Widow’s Offering – Mark 12:41–44
Jesus sat by the temple and watched people give their offerings. Rich people gave large sums. Then a poor widow came and gave two small coins. Jesus said:
“Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.” (Mark 12:43)
Her gift was small, but it was everything she had. Jesus praised her not for the amount, but for the sacrifice.
What Jesus’ Teachings Mean for You Today
If you follow Jesus, you can’t ignore the poor. His teachings are clear. He didn’t ask if someone deserved help. He just helped. And He calls His followers to do the same.
Here’s what it looks like in practical terms:
1. Be Generous
Jesus talked more about money than almost any other topic. Why? Because money reveals your heart. Are you open-handed with what you have?
- Give to your local church or a ministry that supports the poor
- Support shelters, food banks, or global missions
- Help someone in your own neighborhood
2. Be Humble
Jesus wasn’t impressed by wealth. He honored humility. Whether you have a little or a lot, stay grounded. Know that all of it ultimately belongs to God.
3. Don’t Judge
You don’t know every poor person’s story. Jesus didn’t quiz people before healing or feeding them. He just showed love.
Final Thoughts: The Poor Are Central to the Gospel
The message is simple: Jesus loves the poor. He spoke directly to their pain and called out the systems that kept them down. If you want to walk in His footsteps, care for the poor isn’t optional—it’s essential.
Top 5 Verses Recap
| Verse | Message |
| Luke 4:18 | Jesus came to bring good news to the poor |
| Luke 6:20 | The Kingdom belongs to the poor |
| Matthew 25:40 | Serving the poor is serving Jesus |
| Matthew 19:21 | Give to the poor to follow Jesus fully |
| Mark 12:43 | God values sacrificial giving, not just big gifts |
So next time you read the Gospels, pay close attention to who Jesus notices, who He honors, and who He lifts up. More often than not, it’s the poor.
Want to live like Jesus? Start by seeing the poor the way He does.
FAQs: Biblical Verses Where Jesus Speaks About the Poor
1. What are the key biblical verses where Jesus talks about the poor?
Some of the most important verses include Luke 4:18, Luke 6:20, Matthew 25:40, Matthew 19:21, and Mark 12:43. Each one reveals Jesus’ heart for the poor and calls His followers to act with compassion, humility, and generosity.
2. What did Jesus mean in Luke 6:20 when He said, “Blessed are the poor”?
In Luke 6:20, Jesus is referring to those who are materially poor. He teaches that despite their lack of wealth, they are spiritually rich in God’s Kingdom. It’s a reversal of the world’s values, where the poor are often overlooked.
3. Did Jesus say we will always have the poor with us?
Yes, in John 12:8, Jesus said, “You will always have the poor among you.” This isn’t an excuse for inaction—it’s a reminder of our ongoing responsibility, and it references Deuteronomy 15:11, which commands generosity toward the poor.
4. How did Jesus treat the poor during His ministry?
Jesus treated the poor with dignity and compassion. He healed them, fed them, taught them, and praised their faith and generosity (like the widow in Mark 12:43). He spent time with the marginalized, not the elite.
5. Why does Jesus speak so much about the poor?
Jesus spoke often about the poor because poverty reveals deep spiritual truths. The poor tend to be more open to God, and Jesus wanted to show that God’s Kingdom is for everyone—not just the powerful or wealthy.
6. What does Jesus say about giving to the poor?
In Matthew 19:21, Jesus tells a rich man to sell his possessions and give to the poor to follow Him fully. Jesus teaches that generosity isn’t just a good deed—it’s a reflection of where your heart truly is.
7. What lesson can we learn from the story of the rich young ruler?
The rich young ruler shows how wealth can be a barrier to following Jesus. Jesus challenges him to give everything to the poor to gain treasure in heaven, revealing that true faith often requires sacrificial generosity.
8. How does Jesus connect with the poor in Matthew 25:40?
In Matthew 25:40, Jesus says, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these… you did for me.” He makes it clear that serving the poor is equivalent to serving Him directly. Ignoring them is the same as ignoring Him.
9. What is the deeper meaning of the widow’s offering in Mark 12:43?
The widow gave two small coins, all she had, and Jesus praised her above the wealthy. The story teaches that God values sacrificial giving over large donations done without heart or sacrifice.
10. How should Christians respond to Jesus’ teachings about the poor today?
Christians are called to live generously, humbly, and with compassion. That means giving, serving, and advocating for the poor—not out of obligation, but out of love and obedience to Jesus’ clear commands.
