The Bible shows that poverty is an outrageous injustice caused by broken relationships with God, ourselves, each other and creation. Through the Bible, we see that Jesus offers ‘life to the full’ (John 10:10) where God restores these connections and invites us to join him in that work of restoration.
What does the Bible say about poverty?
Poverty is born from broken relationships. Learn what the Bible says about poverty and how Christians should respond.
Written by Emma Lawson | 14 May 2026
Credit: Malumbo Simwaka/Tearfund
‘Learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow.’
Why does poverty exist according to the Bible?
The root cause
- Originally, God created a perfect world where everyone lived in complete harmony – with God, ourselves, each other and nature.
- The Bible explains that this harmony was broken when humans decided to turn away from God.
- This brokenness is the root of all poverty and injustice. It doesn’t just affect individuals; it infects entire systems. It shapes corrupt governments, unfair laws, and broken institutions.
The solution
- Through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross and his loving presence in the lives of his followers today, God is repairing these broken relationships.
- Jesus will end all forms of injustice and suffering when he comes again and establishes his rule finally and forever.
- Scripture’s final vision is a world made completely new, where justice flows and all things are restored (Revelation 21:5).
- Until that day, Jesus calls us to put our faith into action to tackle poverty and injustice.
‘I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.’
What's our role in ending extreme poverty?
The Bible doesn’t say that we should sit back and be resigned to the reality of poverty because God is going to make all things new in the end. This isn’t only a future hope.
Jesus announced ‘good news to the poor’ as the heartbeat of his mission (Luke 4:18). He invited his followers to join him: healing broken relationships, challenging unjust systems, and building communities that reflect his vision of abundant life.
‘The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.’
Members of the ‘Aitiji Ibakor Okalia’ village savings association meet to collect savings for the group. The name of their group means ‘fighting poverty in the household’. Credit: Tom Price/Tearfund
Jesus shows us how to pray for God’s ‘will to be done, on earth as it is in heaven’ (Matthew 6:9–13). This is a revolutionary prayer. Jesus calls us to let him transform our lives so that we may speak of the world to come, not only with words, but also with acts of sacrificial love.
Christians follow Jesus’ call, choosing to stare injustice and suffering in the face as he did, rather than looking away. To roll up our sleeves and get stuck into his divine work on earth, even in the darkest places. That’s where his love leads us.
How does Tearfund help people living in poverty?
We are called to live and love as Jesus did. To go to the hardest places. To refuse to accept lives being destroyed by extreme poverty. That is why Tearfund exists. Not just to respond to extreme poverty, but to help end it.
Tearfund’s work focuses on tackling poverty at its root. We believe this will lead to lasting transformation.
How will you respond to poverty?
Will you respond to poverty with the love of Jesus? One simple but profound action that you can take today is to pray.
The Bible gives us a beautiful picture of prayer as a sweet-smelling offering to God: ‘May my prayer be set before you like incense...’ (Psalm 141:2).
Your prayers rise like a fragrant offering in a world that reeks of the injustice of poverty.
Pray for people in poverty
- Relief: in places where disaster or crisis has pushed people deeper into poverty, pray for vital humanitarian aid to reach people in need. Pray that God will provide much needed supplies of food, water, shelter and medical aid.
- Justice: pray for boldness and integrity from political leaders to confront and challenge unjust policies. Pray also for international cooperation and collaboration so that leaders can work together to solve global problems of injustice.
- Global church: pray that God will use his people to be an instrument of peace and reconciliation in communities where conflict pushes people further into poverty.
- Hope: pray that God will lift the crushing weight of poverty from people in the depths of despair, that they may experience true, life-giving hope.
Written by
Written by Emma Lawson
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