Helping others costs something. It costs time when your schedule is already full, money when your own budget is tight, and emotional energy when you’re running on empty. You see someone struggling, and you have to decide whether to get involved or keep walking. It’s easier to stay focused on your own problems, to tell yourself that someone else will help, or to assume they got themselves into this mess and can get themselves out.
The Bible makes it clear that helping others isn’t optional for followers of Jesus. It’s central to what it means to love God and love people. Throughout Scripture, we’re commanded to care for the poor, help the oppressed, feed the hungry, visit the sick, and welcome the stranger. Jesus taught that when we serve the least of these, we’re serving Him. The early church was marked by radical generosity, sharing possessions so no one had unmet needs. Faith without works, James wrote, is dead.
These verses challenge comfortable Christianity that keeps Jesus in our hearts but out of our hands, reminding us that loving others means actively helping when we have the ability to do so.
Bible Verses About Helping Others
1. Galatians 6:2 – Carry Each Other’s Burdens
Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
New International Version (NIV)
2. Hebrews 13:16 – Do Not Forget to Do Good
Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
English Standard Version (ESV)
3. Proverbs 3:27 – Do Not Withhold Good
Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, When it is in the power of your hand to do so.
New King James Version (NKJV)
4. Acts 20:35 – It Is More Blessed to Give Than to Receive
And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’
New Living Translation (NLT)
5. 1 John 3:17-18 – If Anyone Has Material Possessions
If anyone has this world’s goods and sees a fellow believer in need but withholds compassion from him—how does God’s love reside in him? Little children, let us not love in word or speech, but in action and in truth.
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
6. Philippians 2:4 – Look Not Only to Your Own Interests
do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
7. Luke 6:38 – Give, and It Will Be Given to You
Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
King James Version (KJV)
8. Isaiah 58:10 – If You Spend Yourselves on Behalf of the Hungry
if you offer your food to the hungry and satisfy the needs of the afflicted, then your light shall rise in the darkness and your gloom be like the noonday.
New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
9. Matthew 25:40 – Whatever You Did for the Least of These
Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me.
The Message (MSG)
10. Proverbs 19:17 – Whoever Is Kind to the Poor
He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord, and that which he has given He will repay to him.
Amplified Bible (AMP)
11. Romans 12:13 – Share with the Lord’s People Who Are in Need
Contribute to the needs of the saints, pursue hospitality.
New English Translation (NET)
12. James 2:15-16 – Suppose a Brother or Sister Is Without Clothes
If a brother or sister is without clothes and lacks daily food and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, stay warm, and be well fed,” but you don’t give them what the body needs, what good is it?
Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
13. Proverbs 11:25 – A Generous Person Will Prosper
Generous people will be blessed, because they share their food with the poor.
Contemporary English Version (CEV)
14. Luke 3:11 – Anyone Who Has Two Shirts
John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none. Anyone who has food should do the same.”
New International Reader’s Version (NIrV)
15. Matthew 5:42 – Give to the One Who Asks You
Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.
New King James Version (NKJV)
16. 2 Corinthians 9:7 – God Loves a Cheerful Giver
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.
New International Version (NIV)
17. Proverbs 14:21 – Blessed Is the One Who Is Kind
Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner, but blessed is he who is generous to the poor.
English Standard Version (ESV)
18. Deuteronomy 15:11 – There Will Always Be Poor People
For the poor will never cease from the land; therefore I command you, saying, ‘You shall open your hand wide to your brother, to your poor and your needy, in your land.’
New King James Version (NKJV)
19. Luke 10:36-37 – Go and Do Likewise
Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked. The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.” Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.”
New Living Translation (NLT)
20. Isaiah 1:17 – Learn to Do Right; Seek Justice
Learn to do what is good. Pursue justice. Correct the oppressor. Defend the rights of the fatherless. Plead the widow’s cause.
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
21. Romans 15:1 – We Who Are Strong Ought to Help the Weak
Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves.
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
22. Proverbs 31:8-9 – Speak Up for Those Who Cannot Speak
Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction. Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
King James Version (KJV)
23. Leviticus 19:18 – Love Your Neighbor as Yourself
You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against any of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.
New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
24. Romans 12:20 – If Your Enemy Is Hungry, Feed Him
Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he’s thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness.
The Message (MSG)
25. Proverbs 22:9 – The Generous Will Themselves Be Blessed
He who has a bountiful eye shall be blessed, for he gives of his bread to the poor.
Amplified Bible (AMP)
26. Matthew 10:42 – A Cup of Cold Water
And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded.
New English Translation (NET)
27. Acts 4:34-35 – No Needy Persons Among Them
For there was not a needy person among them, because all those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles’ feet. This was then distributed to each person as anyone had a need.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
28. Ezekiel 16:49 – She Did Not Help the Poor and Needy
The sin of Sodom was this: She and her daughters were proud because they had plenty of food and lived in safety. They did not help the poor and needy.
Contemporary English Version (CEV)
29. Proverbs 28:27 – Those Who Give to the Poor Will Lack Nothing
Those who give to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to them receive many curses.
New International Version (NIV)
30. 1 Timothy 6:18 – Command Them to Do Good
They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share.
English Standard Version (ESV)
31. James 1:27 – Religion That God Accepts
Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.
New King James Version (NKJV)
32. Proverbs 21:13 – Whoever Shuts Their Ears to the Cry of the Poor
Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered.
New Living Translation (NLT)
33. 2 Corinthians 8:13-14 – Our Desire Is Not That Others Might Be Relieved
It is not that there should be relief for others and hardship for you, but it is a question of equality. At the present time your surplus is available for their need, so that their abundance may in turn meet your need, in order that there may be equality.
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
34. Matthew 7:12 – Do to Others What You Would Have Them Do
In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
35. Psalm 41:1 – Blessed Are Those Who Have Regard for the Weak
Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble.
King James Version (KJV)
Our Thoughts On What the Bible Says About Helping Others
Scripture doesn’t present helping others as an optional charity for those who are feeling generous. It’s a fundamental expression of loving God and living out our faith. Throughout the Bible, caring for the vulnerable, sharing with those in need, and using resources to bless others is simply what God’s people do. It’s not about earning salvation but demonstrating that we’ve been transformed by the gospel. Those who’ve received mercy show mercy. Those who’ve been helped by God help others.
What challenges me most about these verses is how specific and practical they are. The Bible doesn’t let us spiritualize love into warm feelings without corresponding action. If someone needs food and we have food, we share. If someone needs clothing and we have extra clothing, we give. James makes it painfully clear that faith without works is dead, that saying “be warm and fed” while doing nothing to help is worthless.
The most encouraging aspect of helping others is that we’re serving Jesus Himself when we serve the least of these. Every act of kindness, every shared meal, every practical help given to someone in need is received by Jesus as if we’d done it directly for Him. This elevates the mundane acts of helping into sacred service.
Say This Prayer
Heavenly Father, forgive me for the times I’ve walked past people in need, convinced myself that helping wasn’t my responsibility, or prioritized my own comfort over others’ genuine needs. You’ve been so generous with me, meeting my needs and blessing me beyond what I deserve. Help me extend that same generosity to others.
Open my eyes to see the needs around me, the opportunities to help that I miss because I’m too busy or too focused on myself. Give me a heart that’s moved to action, not just good intentions. Help me to use what You’ve given me, whether time, money, or skills, to bless others and meet practical needs.
Show me who You want me to help today. Lead me to people who need encouragement, practical assistance, or just someone to notice them. Give me creativity in finding ways to help and the courage to step out of my comfort zone to serve others.
Thank You that when I serve the least of these, I’m serving You. Let my life be marked by the kind of generosity that reflects Your kingdom and points others to Your goodness.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.