Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. … For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.

Why do you call me, “Lord, Lord,” and do not do what I say? … Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. … Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me.

And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. … For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward (those) who are poor and needy in your land. … Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.

Ja 2:5, Mt 6:19-21; Mt 6:33, 2Co 8:9; Lu 6:46, Ja 1:22, Jh 14:21; Mi 6:8, Ga 5:14; De 15:11, Ps 82:3

This verse compilation is from Richard Stearns’ (President of World Vision) “Letter to America” found in his book, The Hole in Our Gospel (Thomas Nelson, 2009, pp 223-224).

Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.