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What the Bible Says About Philanthropy

Overview

The Bible addresses philanthropy across 7 verses, drawn from the Old Testament. These passages cluster most in Isaiah. Closely related themes include Fasting, Neighbor, Righteousness and Beneficence.

Key Bible verses about philanthropy

Old Testament

Isaiah

Isaiah 58:6

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? the heavy: Heb. the bundles of the yoke oppressed: Heb. broken

Isaiah 58:7

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? cast: or, afflicted

Isaiah 58:8

Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward. be: Heb. gather thee up

Isaiah 58:9

Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity;

Isaiah 58:10

And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday:

Isaiah 58:11

And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. drought: Heb. droughts fail: Heb. lie, or, deceive

Isaiah 58:12

And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.

In the Bible dictionary

Studying philanthropy for yourself

  • Begin with Isaiah 58:6, then read the passages below in canonical order.
  • Widen the study to related themes: Fasting, Neighbor, Righteousness and Beneficence.

Frequently asked questions

What does the Bible say about philanthropy?

The Bible addresses philanthropy across 7 verses, drawn from the Old Testament. These passages cluster most in Isaiah. Closely related themes include Fasting, Neighbor, Righteousness and Beneficence.

How many Bible verses are about philanthropy?

The Bible references philanthropy in 7 verses (King James Version).

Where does the Bible first mention philanthropy?

In canonical order, the first of these passages is Isaiah 58:6: “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? the heavy: Heb. the bundles of the yoke oppressed: Heb. broken”

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