Scriptures which Teach about our Responsibility for Caring for the Poor and Needy

The Poor

A few weeks ago we finished reading the Old Testament as a family. One of the things that stood out to me was how often the Lord spoke of our responsibility to care for the poor and needy. We know from modern scriptures how our own salvation depends on how we care for the poor and needy, but the Old and New Testament writers taught the same principle.

"Few, if any, of the Lord’s instructions are stated more often, or given more emphasis in the scriptures than is the commandment that we members of his church take care of the poor."
            --Elder Marion G. Romney in “Caring for the Poor: A Covenantal Obligation”  

I think if we prayerfully study these and other scriptures on caring for the poor, we will come to a better understanding of what we personally should do.

2 Nephi 28:13 They rob the poor because of the fine sanctuaries; they rob the poor because of their fine clothing;

Mosiah 4:26-27 For the sake of retaining a remission of your sins from day to day, that ye may walk guiltless before God – I would that ye should impart of your substance to the poor ... both spiritually and temporally, according to their wants. And see that all these things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength.

Alma 1:27, 30 And they did impart of their substance, every man according to that which he had, to the poor, and the needy, and the sick, and the afflicted; and they did not wear costly apparel, yet they were neat and comely. And they did not set their hearts upon riches.

4 Nephi 1:3 And they had all things common among them; therefore there were not rich and poor, bond and free, but they were all made free, and partakers of the heavenly gift.

Mormon 8:36-37 I know that ye do walk in the pride of your hearts; and there are none save a few only who do not lift themselves up in the pride of their hearts, unto the wearing of very fine apparel, unto envying, and strifes, and persecutions, and all manner of iniquities. For behold, ye do love money, and your substance, and your fine apparel, and the adorning of your churches, more than ye love the poor and the needy, the sick and the afflicted.

D&C 42:29–31 And behold, thou wilt remember the poor, and consecrate of thy properties for their support … with a covenant and a deed which cannot be broken. And inasmuch as ye impart of your substance unto the poor, ye will do it unto me.

D&C 52:40 Remember … the poor and the needy, the sick and the afflicted, for he that doeth not these things, the same is not my disciple.

D&C 56:16 Wo unto you rich men, that will not give your substance to the poor, for your riches will canker your souls; and this shall be your lamentation in the day of visitation, and of judgment, and of indignation: The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and my soul is not saved!

Deuteronomy 15:11 For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land.

Isaiah 3:15 What mean ye that ye beat my people to pieces, and grind the faces of the poor? saith the Lord God of hosts.

Isaiah 58:6-9  Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer.

Matthew 25:34–40. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in, Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

See also:

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf “Providing in the Lord’s Way”

President Henry B. Eyring, “Is not this the Fast that I have Chosen?”

Elder Jeffery R. Holland, “Are We Not all Beggers?”