• The Bible — On Orphans

    What does the Bible say about caring for orphaned children?

    Throughout the Old and New Testaments, the Bible directs believers to honor God through giving and to be concerned with the well-being of others. If you are searching for Biblical teachings about mercy, service, or children in need, we have gathered a sampling of verses that speak about theses issues. All verses from the New International Version (NIV) translation.

    FEATURED VERSE: “He defended the cause of the poor and needy, and so all went well. Is that not what it means to know me?” declares the Lord. - Jeremiah 22:16

  • The Bible — On Giving

    Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. – Romans 12:13

    But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us—see that you also excel in this grace of giving. – 2 Corinthians 8:7

    Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? … and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. – Isaiah 58:6-7, 10

    Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. - Philippians 2:3-4

    So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. – Matthew 6:2-4

    John answered, “The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same.” – Luke 3:11

    But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on. – Mark 12:42-44

    However, there should be no poor among you, for in the land the Lord your God is giving you to possess as your inheritance, he will richly bless you - Deuteronomy 15:4

    “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in…’I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’ ” – Mathew 25:35, 40

  • The Bible — On Character

    Learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow. – Isaiah 1:17

    Go out quickly into the streets and alleys…and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame. *- Luke 14:21 *

    Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy. – Proverbs 31:9

    She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. – Proverbs 31:20

    Blessed is he who has regard for the weak; the Lord delivers him in times of trouble. – Psalm 41:1

    For He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things. – Psalm 107:9

    This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. – 2 Corinthians 9:12

    Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.” – John 6:35

    In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” – Acts 20:35

    Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. – Galatians 6:10

    There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land. – Deuteronomy 15:11

    And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. *– Hebrews 13:16 *

    All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do. – Galatians 2:10

    If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. – Philippians 2:1-2

    Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? – James 2:15-16

    But he answered, “You give them something to eat.” – Matthew 6:37

    “He defended the cause of the poor and needy, and so all went well. Is that not what it means to know me?” declares the Lord. - Jeremiah 22:16

    He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. – Micah 6:8

    Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. – 1 John 3:18