Did Jesus Help the Poor? What the Bible Teaches Us About Generosity

Ashland Watson
Apr 30
4 min read

Did Jesus help the poor? The answer, clearly and repeatedly shown in Scripture, is yes.

Jesus Christ not only helped the poor, He prioritized them. His ministry was full of acts of compassion toward those who were marginalized, hungry, sick, and overlooked by society.

And He didn’t stop there. Through His teachings, Jesus called His followers to do the same. The Bible is rich with guidance on how to live generously, especially toward those in need.

Today, as poverty continues to impact lives across the globe, especially in regions like South Asia, the call to follow Jesus’ example is more urgent than ever.

What the Bible Says About Helping the Poor

Throughout both the Old and New Testaments, God makes His heart for the poor unmistakably clear. The prophets rebuke injustice, the Psalms cry out for protection of the vulnerable, and the laws of Moses include provisions for caring for the widows, orphans, and strangers.

But Jesus brought this theme into sharp focus in His ministry.

In Luke 14, Jesus told a parable that radically redefined generosity:

“But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed…” Luke 14:13–14

This wasn’t just about dinner invitations; it was a command to include the excluded and care for those who cannot repay us. Over and over again, we see that Jesus wasn’t concerned with status, wealth, or appearance.

He was concerned with the heart, and the hearts He uplifted most often were those weighed down by poverty or rejection.

When John the Baptist’s disciples asked Jesus if He was truly the Messiah, He answered not with theory, but with evidence:

“The blind receive sight, the lame walk… and the Good News is proclaimed to the poor” Luke 7:22

The biblical message is clear: the Kingdom of God belongs to those the world forgets. As Jesus put it in Matthew 25:40,

“Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

Did Jesus Help the Poor? Absolutely

But Jesus didn’t just teach about generosity... He lived it...He talked the talk and he walked the walk! He healed the sick, fed the hungry, restored dignity to those cast aside, and told His followers to go and do likewise. Scripture doesn’t give us a passive Savior; it gives us a Servant King.

This biblical model of generosity includes:

Giving freely and sacrificially
Meeting physical and spiritual needs
Welcoming the outcast
Investing in the long-term well-being of others

Generosity is not just about finances. It’s about love in action.

The Modern Mission Field: Caring for the Poor in South Asia

This same spirit of generosity and service drives Mosaic International’s mission in South Asia today. With a population of 1.9 billion, one-fourth of the world’s total, South Asia is one of the most densely populated and religiously diverse regions on the planet.

It’s home to over 4,000 ethnic groups, 650 languages, and at least six major religions.

Yet in this beautiful region, 216 million people live below the poverty line, and Christians face regular persecution for their faith.

Despite these challenges, Mosaic has partnered with an incredible local ministry, led by believers who are planting churches, caring for their neighbors, and living out the Gospel.

Key Initiatives Include:

Church Planting
Educational Support
Women’s Empowerment
Pastor Resources

Mosaic connected with this ministry in 2020 by providing COVID-19 food relief and funding a new church building. But our partnership has grown far beyond emergency aid. In 2022, we began sponsoring a young, indigenous-led church. In 2024, we adopted a second church plant in a remote region.

These partnerships follow a tiered sustainability model, helping churches become financially self-reliant while reaching the lost and caring for the poor in their communities.

We invite you to watch our most recent visit to South Asia with our Team below:

Your Role in Biblical Generosity

Jesus didn’t just help the poor, He told us to do the same. And the Bible doesn’t present this as optional. It’s woven into the very fabric of the Kingdom of God. Generosity isn’t just about giving money, it’s about seeing others the way Christ sees them: valuable, loved, and worth investing in.

When you give to Mosaic International, you help spread the Good News to the poor, uplift poor people and their families, and make Jesus' teachings real in villages where hope is scarce.

You Can:

Give one-time to support a specific need
Join The Circle, our monthly giving community, for ongoing impact
Pray for the persecuted church and our partners in South Asia
Share about Mosaic's mission with your church or small group. If your church would like a representative from Mosaic to come speak, please email us: admin@mosaicinternational.org

Live the Gospel

So, did Jesus help the poor? Yes. And He told us to do the same... with open hands, open hearts, and unwavering faith.

The Bible teaches that true generosity reflects the heart of God, and our actions toward the “least of these” are actions toward Christ Himself.

Let’s be a people marked by that kind of generosity, because the Gospel is not just something we believe, but something we live.

Give today. Or join The Circle and make a lasting impact.

Learn more about Mosaic Here.

MOSAIC INTERNATIONAL