What Does the Bible Say About Helping People?

Written By Mary Carter

Mary holds a degree in theology and she has a deep understanding of biblical texts. She works as an elementary school teacher in Alabama.

The Bible places a strong emphasis on helping others, seeing it as a reflection of God’s love and compassion. It teaches that assisting those in need, whether through acts of kindness, sharing resources, or advocating for justice, is not just encouraged but expected of believers. The teachings of Jesus in the New Testament particularly highlight the importance of serving others. He exemplified this through His life and parables, such as the Good Samaritan. The Bible’s message is clear: helping others is an integral part of faith, an expression of love and obedience to God.

Wondering what the Bible says about helping people? It’s a core theme that runs deep. Get ready to explore how these ancient texts urge us to extend a hand to those in need and what that means for us today.

What Does the Bible Say About Helping People?

Helping people is a central theme in the Bible, woven into the very fabric of its teachings. From the Old Testament laws to the life and words of Jesus, the Bible consistently calls on its followers to help others.

In the Old Testament, there are numerous laws about caring for the poor, the widow, the orphan, and the stranger. These laws weren’t just about charity; they were about justice and righteousness. They reflect God’s heart for the vulnerable and His desire for a community where people look after one another.

The New Testament takes this even further. Jesus’ life was a living example of helping others. He fed the hungry, healed the sick, and comforted the sorrowful. His teachings, like the parable of the Good Samaritan, redefine what it means to be a neighbor. Jesus taught that helping others, even strangers or enemies, is a fundamental expression of love.

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But it’s not just about physical aid. The Bible speaks about helping others in a holistic way. This includes offering emotional support, spiritual guidance, and practical assistance. The New Testament letters encourage believers to bear one another’s burdens, to encourage and build each other up.

Moreover, the Bible makes it clear that helping others is not optional. It’s a key aspect of living out one’s faith. James, in his epistle, states that faith without works is dead. Helping others is a way to demonstrate genuine faith.

God’s view on helping people is also about attitude. It’s not just about the action but the heart behind it. The Bible encourages helping others not for recognition or reward but out of genuine love and compassion. Jesus warns against doing good deeds for show, emphasizing sincerity and humility.

Furthermore, the Bible acknowledges that helping others can be challenging. It calls for sacrifice, patience, and sometimes, going out of our comfort zone. But it also promises that such acts of kindness are blessed and pleasing to God.

In essence, the Bible’s message about helping people is clear and consistent: it’s an essential part of living a life of faith, love, and obedience to God. It’s about reflecting God’s love and compassion in the world, serving others not just with our resources, but with our hearts.

Bible Verses About Helping People

  1. Matthew 25:35-40 – “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me…” Jesus here explains that serving others, especially those in need, is equivalent to serving Him.
  2. Galatians 6:2 – “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Paul urges believers to support each other, highlighting that helping others is part of following Christ’s teachings.
  3. Proverbs 19:17 – “Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.” This proverb shows that helping the poor is seen as lending to God Himself, emphasizing the value placed on acts of kindness.
  4. James 2:15-17 – “If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled,’ without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” James makes a strong case for the practical aspect of faith, which includes helping those in need.
  5. 1 John 3:17-18 – “But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.” John emphasizes that true love is demonstrated through actions, not just words.
  6. Luke 10:30-37 – The Parable of the Good Samaritan, where Jesus illustrates what it means to be a neighbor. The Samaritan’s act of helping a wounded man, who was culturally and religiously different from him, exemplifies the kind of selfless and compassionate assistance the Bible endorses.
  7. Proverbs 14:31 – “Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him.” This verse links the treatment of the poor and needy directly to one’s respect for God, showing that helping others is an act of honoring God.
  8. Hebrews 13:16 – “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” This passage encourages sharing with others and doing good as actions that are pleasing to God, highlighting the spiritual significance of helping others.
  9. Philippians 2:4 – “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Paul’s instruction here is about considering others’ needs and interests, emphasizing the importance of being other-focused in the Christian life.
  10. Matthew 5:42 – “Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.” This teaching of Jesus encourages generosity and a willingness to help those in need, emphasizing an open-handed approach to others.
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These verses collectively portray a biblical perspective that emphasizes compassion, generosity, and practical assistance to those in need. They reflect the heart of God, who cares deeply for the vulnerable and expects His followers to do the same. Helping others, as per these teachings, is not just an act of kindness but a fundamental aspect of living out one’s faith.