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What the Bible Says About Helping Others
Here’s a list of 45 Bible verses about helping others. We hope these Bible quotes about helping others will inspire you to serve people’s needs in all sorts of ways— with encouragement from encouraging Bible verses, hospitality and sharing, and through prayer. Bible verses about serving others reflects God’s own character of love and compassion.
1. Hebrews 13:1-2
Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.
The scriptures are full of Bible verses about love and we’re encouraged to keep on loving! It can be hard to persevere in loving imperfect people, but God reminds us that we’re to treat each other like family, which means staying committed. And isn’t it amazing to think that when we offer hospitality to strangers that person might be an actual angel!
2. Ephesians 4:32
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Forgiveness can be really hard, and God’s word has many Bible verses about forgiveness. It doesn’t mean we shouldn’t seek justice when wronged, but it does mean choosing to let go of hate and bitterness. How wonderful to remember that full forgiveness is ours through Jesus Christ. He can help us learn to forgive others when we’ve been wronged.
3. Isaiah 41: 17
“The poor and needy search for water,
but there is none;
their tongues are parched with thirst.
But I the Lord will answer them;
I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them…”
The Lord promises to not forsake those who are in need. Even people who are suffering with extreme need are known to God and loved by Him. When we help people who are struggling, we encourage them that they’re not forgotten, but are known, cared for, and valued.
4. 1 John 3:16-18
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.
Jesus is the ultimate example of love. He rescued us by laying down his life so that we can be forgiven. Remembering this amazing truth that new life and freedom are ours thanks to Jesus is a powerful motivator to keep on helping others. Let’s pray that our actions will always back up our words.
5. Hebrews 6:10
God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them…
God sees the ways we try to honour Him by showing care and kindness to others. We all need help from time to time. Even when your service goes unnoticed by other people, God sees and is pleased.
6. Matthew 6:1-4
“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.
“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 honoured by others. Truly I tell you, 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.”
It could be tempting to want to impress people by being seen to help others. We might try to make our acts of kindness highly visible. But Jesus teaches that if we love God, we won’t worry about impressing people. Instead, we’ll choose to help those in need without needing any praise, but simply to honour God.
7. Isaiah 1: 17
Learn to do right; seek justice.
Defend the oppressed.
Take up the cause of the fatherless;
plead the case of the widow.
Justice for the vulnerable matters to God. He is the God of justice as well as mercy. He wants us to care about the vulnerable, to plead the widow’s cause, to stand up for the oppressed. Seeking justice for those in need is a powerful way we can serve others, as shown in the Bible.
8. Ephesians 5: 1-2
Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
When we help others, we’re following the example of our heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who are both characterised by love. Let’s walk in the way of love by helping others generously.
9. Luke 3:10-11
What should we do then?” the crowd asked.
John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.”
Supporting others means we need to be willing to share. We don’t have to hoard more than we need, because we can trust God to provide for us, too.
10. Philippians 2:3-6
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage…
Jesus is our perfect example of self-sacrificial love. It’s tempting to want to elevate ourselves, and to think about our own needs and wants before anyone else’s. But the Bible’s teaching on helping others points us to Jesus who shows a better way to think and act.
11. Galatians 6: 9-10
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
Helping others has the potential to become tiring. Rest is God’s gift to ensure we have sufficient stamina to keep on caring for others. And we have God’s Holy Spirit living in us, who can help us to keep doing good without growing weary.
12. Luke 10: 29-37
… “And who is my neighbour?”
To answer this question, Jesus tells the parable of the Good Samaritan. He tells the story of a person willing to care for someone in need, even though it costs him considerable effort and money. At the end of the parable, Jesus says, ‘Go and do likewise.’
13. Romans 12:6a, 8
We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. … If it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
The Bible teaches that God has made us wonderfully diverse. Many verses about caring and serving one another encourage us to use our different gifts and personalities to bless other people.
14. Acts 20:34-35
The words of the Apostle Paul: “… You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. 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.”
Give thanks for people in your life who have set godly examples over the years, showing how to gladly help others, how to be generous and kind. Think about all the ways they cared for you, and about how you felt in their company. Ask God to help you be a similar blessing to others. These thankful Bible verses can help you express your gratitude.
15. Proverbs 22:9
The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.
It’s an incredible truth that there’s deep blessing in being a generous person who shares gladly. Scriptures about helping others often remind us that giving brings back joy and enriches our relationships.
16. Matthew 5:15-16
Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
When we help others and seek to be a blessing to those around us, God is glorified, and the gospel is demonstrated, shining out like a light for all to see.
17. Matthew 10:8
… Freely you have received; freely give.
This Scripture about supporting and caring for others is as simple as it is profound: give freely. It helps to remember how much we have received from God—He can help us learn to give as freely and generously as He does.
18. 1 Peter 4:10
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.
The Bible teaches that helping others is something God loves to see. There’s no-one else exactly like you! So, how can you use your gifts—your talents, skills, material possessions, personality, time—to bless someone who’s in need?
19. Hebrews 13:16
And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
It’s all too easy to get so caught up in ourselves that we forget to think about the needs of others. But God is pleased when we’re willing to do good and to share what we have in order to help others. A kind and generous heart reflects God’s own character, so let’s slow down and take time to look around us so that we’re better able to serve people in need.
20. Luke 6:30
Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back.
It’s not always easy, but it’s an amazing blessing to be able to give with no expectation of return. We can learn to be this generous in the way we help others when we remember all God has given to his believers through Jesus Christ. To live in this way sets Christians apart from the world and is a powerful witness to God’s love and goodness.
21. Leviticus 25:17
Do not take advantage of each other, but fear your God. I am the Lord your God.
Leviticus 25 shares God’s commands for His people about how to preserve the Sabbath, and how to care for one another. We help others by treating them fairly, and we love God by obeying His commands. Whilst we may need to adapt the principles of Leviticus for our contemporary context, we can still see the many ways God wants to protect people from exploitation, and to make material provision for those in need.
22. John 15:12-13
My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
Rarely is anyone called to the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of a friend. This is exactly what Jesus did for the world, because of His great love. Helping others in the Bible is a theme that gets returned to again and again. There are ways we can go about supporting and caring for others, both big and small.
23. Luke 6:38
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
Our generosity towards others will be felt in our own lives. When we are glad to help others, a wonderful additional outcome is that blessing often comes as a result. We receive joy, a sense of purpose, and the privilege of being part of God’s mission to reach out to the world.
24. Proverbs 3:27
Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act.
There is so much injustice and unfairness; we see it on the news; we hear about it in our own communities; we experience it ourselves. Scriptures about caring for one another are clear that we need to act for good and justice whenever we have the opportunity.
25. Romans 12:13
Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
When the Bible teaches about caring for one another, it doesn’t mean fancy dinner parties. It means being willing to open our homes, our lives, and to welcome someone in so they feel comfortable and included.
Responding to God’s call to help one another
The Bible teaches that we need to help others and serve one another out of love for God, and for all of humanity created in His image. The difference helping another person can make to the whole course their future is truly incredible! Richmond was one such person whose life was totally turned around by being given help at a time of need.
Richmond was just a boy when his father was murdered. His mother and five siblings were forced to move to one of the poorest communities in Kampala, Uganda’s capital city.
“Everything changed for us. Dramatically… we lived in what was dubbed the forgotten community. And life on the streets was extremely difficult; the things I did to survive... Poverty robs children of the dignity of choice.”
Watch Richmond share about how his life changed thanks to the help people gave him at a time of critical need.
When you sponsor a child, you get to join the team of people who offer them the encouragement, skills and practical support they need to take hold of opportunities and move towards a brighter future. In the Bible, we learn how much God loves it when we help others, and how much He cares about our well-being in mind, body and spirit. That’s why our holistic child development programme seeks to enable children to flourish in every area of their lives.
More Bible verses About Helping Others
It’s amazing to see how many Bible verses about helping others there are! Scriptures about helping others in need can be found in the Old and New Testaments. It’s good to ask for help ourselves when we face times of trouble, and we can offer help to others when the opportunities arise.
26. Luke 12:33-34
Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near, and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
It’s easy to fall into a mindset of materialism and the constant quest for ‘more’. We see how overconsumption is causing our planet, and many people, to suffer. Let’s show what our heart’s treasure is by our attitude towards possessions and how much we care about helping others.
27. Matthew 25:35-40
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 needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?
When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?
When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
When we serve the needs of others, Jesus says, it’s as if we’re serving Him! What greater motivation can there be for helping others?
28. James 2:14-17
What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
What we believe is often demonstrated by our behaviour. Bible verses about caring for others teach us that if we truly want to demonstrate our faith in Jesus, we’ll follow His example by actively serving those in need.
29. Isaiah 58:9b-10
“If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, and if you spend yourselves on 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.”
Taking our focus off ourselves and thinking instead about how best to help others as they face hunger or oppression will bring purpose to our lives. We’ll feel the deep joy of giving our time to a worthwhile cause—purpose like that feels like light rising in the darkness.
30. Proverbs 14:31
Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honours God.
Scripture about caring for others teaches that helping those in need honours God. This is a wonderful motivation for times when we feel short-tempered or ungracious.
31. 1 Timothy 6:17-19
Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
When we see a generous-spirited person, we see what a wonderful quality this is. God shows us in many Bible verses that caring for one another provides a much richer life than anything money can buy.
32. Zechariah 7:8-10
And the word of the Lord came again to Zechariah: This is what the Lord Almighty said: “Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. Do not plot evil against each other.”
Helping others in the Bible involves acting fairly and not taking advantage of those who are vulnerable. Around the world, people in need are continually exploited for cheap labour, and sometimes even enslaved. God calls for His people to stand against such evil.
33. Deuteronomy 5:6 and following…
I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.
God gives Moses the Ten Commandments, reminding His people of all the ways He has already looked after their needs and rescued them from oppression. Moses tells the Israelites in Deuteronomy 5:4 that ‘The Lord spoke to you face to face out of the fire on the mountain.’ Wow! These are the very words of God! The Ten Commandments offer valuable guidelines for how to live honourably both towards God Almighty and towards our neighbour.
34. Mark 10:21
Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
Jesus reminds us in the Bible that our ultimate treasure will never be found in the material things we have in this life. How much better to think about supporting someone living in poverty by giving what we can and by praying.
35. Luke 6:27-28
But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
We aren’t just called to help those who are nice to us. Scriptures about serving others also say we need to be willing to love our enemies. This is a hard command, but with the Holy Spirit’s help, we can strive to love people even when it’s difficult. This doesn’t mean enduring abuse or accepting injustice, but it is a radical attitude of the heart which is a powerful witness for the gospel of Jesus Christ.
36. 1 Timothy 5: 3-4
Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need. But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God.
Paul teaches many details about how Christians should look out for the needs of one another, emphasising how we should ensure we don’t neglect our own families. We see how it pleases God when we make certain everyone is provided for.
37. Mark 10:45
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
Jesus is our servant King who gave His life to set us free. Our small acts of kindness which serve others are reflections of His matchless love.
38. Galatians 6:2
Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Not all the ways we help others involve money or material wealth. Giving someone time, listening to and praying with them, speaking or writing words of encouragement are all meaningful ways of helping someone in need.
39. 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
Our words can be used powerfully to help one another.
40. Proverbs 31: 8-9
Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,
for the rights of all who are destitute.
Speak up and judge fairly;
defend the rights of the poor and needy.
Proverbs 31 is famous for describing a godly, industrious woman who provides for her household, is loving and highly capable. It also contains these wonderfully clear verses about using our voice to speak up for those who have been silenced or exploited. Let’s grow in confidence and be bold in speaking up for the interests of others.
41. Galatians 5:13
You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.
Our freedoms aren’t meant to be used for selfishness or to continue in the sin that Jesus has saved us from. Instead, helping others in the Bible is shown to be about using our freedom to serve others with humility. We’ve been rescued for a reason: saved to serve.
42. Romans 12:10
Be devoted to one another in love. Honour one another above yourselves.
We afford people incredible dignity when we treat them honourably. Small acts of kindness and respect can be profound. You might change the whole tone of someone’s day by one moment when you acknowledge them graciously.
43. 2 Corinthians 9:7
Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
God wants us to be wise and considered about how much we choose to give; and He wants us to give with cheerful hearts. After all, who wants to receive a gift from someone grumpy?! Let’s be wise in how much of our time, money and other resources we share, and once we’ve decided, let’s be cheerful about it!
44. Proverbs 11:25
A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.
When we bless others, blessing comes back to us! Look out for moments this week when you seek to be generous by helping someone in need… and find yourself refreshed as a result.
45. Ephesians 2:10
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
There are so many Bible verses about caring and supporting others in all sorts of ways! We show that we love God when we follow His ways, and that includes in how we treat others. Here in Ephesians, helping others can be seen to be the special purpose for which God has created us. When you help others, you’re fulfilling your God-given purpose!
How you can help others right now
A practical way you can help others and share the love of Jesus Christ is to sponsor a child. By sponsoring a child, God will use you to bring hope and help to the whole family of a child in need—educational opportunities, nutritional food, medical help, job training skills and other assistance. You will get to write powerful messages of encouragement and have the wonderful privilege of championing a child as they are empowered to overcome the barriers of poverty.
If you’ve enjoyed these Bible verses about helping others, why not share them with your friends? You may also be interested in;
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