Clicky

What Does the Bible Say About Helping Others? – Viral Believer
Skip to content

What Does the Bible Say About Helping Others?

Introduction

As Christians, one of the most important aspects of our faith is helping others. We are called to serve our fellow human beings and to show love and compassion to those in need. But what does the Bible say about helping others? How can we apply these teachings to our daily lives?

In this post, we will explore the biblical perspectives on helping others and practical ways to apply these teachings in our lives.

The Bible is full of passages that speak about helping others. The Old Testament and the New Testament both encourage believers to show kindness and compassion towards their fellow human beings. In the Old Testament, God instructs the Israelites to be generous towards their less fortunate brethren.

The book of Proverbs reminds us that it is wrong to oppress the poor, and those who are kind to the poor honor God and demonstrate mercy towards those who are less fortunate. In the New Testament, Jesus teaches us that whenever we help someone in need, we are really helping Him.

He summarizes the entire law in two commandments: love God and love your neighbor. Loving your neighbor involves treating others the way you would want to be treated.

Helping others is not just a duty, but it also has numerous benefits. When we are generous and compassionate towards others, we demonstrate our love for God and our faith in His provision.

We experience a sense of joy and fulfillment that cannot be found in anything else, and we have a greater sense of purpose and meaning in life.

Additionally, when we help others, we become a shining example of Christ’s love to those around us, and this can inspire others to do good deeds and follow Christ’s example of selflessness and compassion.

helping others in the Bible

Biblical Perspectives on Helping Others

The Bible is full of passages that speak about helping others. The Old Testament and the New Testament both encourage believers to show kindness and compassion towards their fellow human beings.

Old Testament Perspectives

In the Old Testament, God instructs the Israelites to be generous towards their less fortunate brethren. The people of God are urged not to be tight-fisted towards their fellow citizens who are in need. Instead, they should be open-handed and give generously to those who are struggling.

They should do this not out of duty but with a willing heart (Deuteronomy 15:7-11).

The book of Proverbs reminds us that it is wrong to oppress the poor. Those who treat the needy unfairly bring shame upon themselves and their Maker. On the other hand, those who are kind to the poor honor God and demonstrate mercy towards those who are less fortunate (Proverbs 14:31).

Additionally, the book of Isaiah reminds us that true religion involves caring for the less fortunate. When we fast, we should not just focus on our own spiritual needs. Instead, we should use this time to help others. We should feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and take care of those who are suffering (Isaiah 58:6-7).

New Testament Perspectives

In the New Testament, Jesus teaches us that whenever we help someone in need, we are really helping Him. When we feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, and take care of the sick and imprisoned, we are ministering to Jesus Himself.

This teaches us the value of every person, regardless of their social status, and reminds us to treat everyone with love and respect (Matthew 25:35-40).

Jesus also summarizes the entire law in two commandments: love God and love your neighbor. Loving your neighbor involves treating others the way you would want to be treated. We are called to be kind, compassionate, and helpful to those around us (Mark 12:28-31).

In the parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus teaches us that our neighbor is anyone in need, regardless of their ethnicity or religion. We should be willing to help anyone who is in need, just as the Good Samaritan helped the man who was beaten and left for dead on the side of the road (Luke 10:25-37).

Practical Ways to Help Others Based on Biblical Teachings

As Christians, we are called to love and serve others. Here are some practical ways to help others based on biblical teachings:

Giving to the Poor

Paul reminds us that it is more blessed to give than to receive. When we give to those in need, we demonstrate our faith in God and our love for others. We should give generously and with a cheerful heart, knowing that God will bless us in return (Acts 20:35).

Proverbs teaches us that when we give to the poor, we are lending to the Lord Himself. He will repay us for our kindness and generosity towards others (Proverbs 19:17).

Loving Your Neighbor

We should love our neighbor as ourselves. This involves treating others the way we want to be treated. We should be kind, compassionate, and helpful to those around us, even if they are different from us in some way.

Paul reminds us that all of the law is fulfilled in one commandment: to love your neighbor as yourself. This means that if we truly love our neighbors, we will not do anything to harm them or cause them pain. Instead, we will seek to build them up and help them in any way we can (Galatians 5:14).

Caring for the Sick and the Needy

James teaches us that pure religion involves caring for orphans and widows in their distress. This is a reminder that we should always be looking for ways to help those who are vulnerable and in need of assistance (James 1:27).

John reminds us that if we have the resources to help those in need, we should not withhold our assistance. Instead, we should love others not just in word but in action and truth (1 John 3:17-18).

The Benefits of Helping Others

There are numerous benefits to helping others. Here are some of them:

Spiritual Benefits

When we are generous and give to those in need, we are blessed by God. This is not just a material blessing but a spiritual one as well. When we are generous and compassionate towards others, we demonstrate our love for God and our faith in His provision.

Paul reminds us that God loves a cheerful giver. When we give generously and with a joyful heart, we demonstrate our faith in God and our love for others. This brings us spiritual blessings that are beyond measure (2 Corinthians 9:6-8).

Psychological Benefits

When we help others, we experience a sense of joy and fulfillment that cannot be found in anything else. This is because we are created to be in relationships with others and to serve those around us. When we fulfill this purpose, we experience a deep sense of satisfaction and happiness.

Additionally, when we focus on the needs of others instead of our own, we experience a greater sense of purpose and meaning in life. This helps us to be more content and at peace with ourselves, knowing that we are making a positive difference in the world (Philippians 2:3-4).

Social Benefits

When we give to the poor, we build relationships with those who are in need. This helps us to see the world from their perspective and to have a greater sense of empathy and compassion.

Additionally, when we help others, we become a shining example of Christ’s love to those around us. This can inspire others to do good deeds and to follow Christ’s example of selflessness and compassion (Matthew 5:16).

Conclusion

In conclusion, helping others is a central part of our faith as Christians. We are called to love and serve others, and the Bible provides guidance on how to do so.

Whether we are giving to the poor, loving our neighbors, or caring for the sick and the needy, we are fulfilling our duty as Christians and reaping numerous benefits.

As we go about our daily lives, let us remember the teachings of the Bible and seek opportunities to help those around us. By doing so, we can make a positive impact on the world and bring glory to our Father in heaven.

Let us be generous, kind, and compassionate towards others, knowing that when we help someone in need, we are really helping Jesus Himself.

Finally, let us take comfort in the fact that when we help others, we are not doing so in our own strength. Rather, we are empowered by the Holy Spirit and blessed by God.

As we fulfill our duty to love and serve others, let us trust in God’s provision and His promise to reward those who are faithful and obedient to His word. (Galatians 6:9).

Pastor Duke Taber
Pastor Duke Taber

Pastor Duke Taber

All articles have been written or reviewed by Pastor Duke Taber.
Pastor Duke Taber is an alumnus of Life Pacific University and Multnomah Biblical Seminary.
He has been in pastoral ministry since 1988.
Today he is the owner and managing editor of 3 successful Christian websites that support missionaries around the world.
He is currently starting a brand new church in Mesquite NV called Mesquite Worship Center, a Non-Denominational Spirit Filled Christian church in Mesquite Nevada.