According to The UN Refugee Agency, around the world nearly 20 people are forcibly displaced every minute as a result of conflict or persecution. An unprecedented 65.6 million people globally have been forced from their homes. Among them are nearly 22.5 million refugees, over half of whom are under the age of 18. There are also 10 million stateless people who are denied a nationality and access to basic rights such as education, healthcare, employment, and freedom of movement.

What does the Bible say about helping defenseless and vulnerable people in need?

Don’t oppress an immigrant. You know what it’s like to be an immigrant, because you were immigrants in the land of Egypt. Exodus 23:9 (CEB)

“When a stranger sojourns with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.” Leviticus 19:33-34 (ESV)

“The sin of your sister Sodom was this: She lived with her daughters in the lap of luxury—proud, gluttonous, and lazy. They ignored the oppressed and the poor. They put on airs and lived obscene lives. And you know what happened: I did away with them.” Ezekiel 16:49 (MSG)

Being kind to the poor is like lending to the Lord. The Lord will reward you for what you have done. Proverbs 19:17 (ICB)

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. Deuteronomy 15:11 (KJV)

[Jesus] said to him, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and most important command. The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commands.” Matthew 22:37-40 (CSB)

All that the Law says can be summed up in the command to love others as much as you love yourself. Galatians 5:14 (CEV)

“I was hungry. And you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty. And you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger. And you invited me in. I needed clothes. And you gave them to me. I was sick. And you took care of me. I was in prison. And you came to visit me.” Matthew 25:35-36 (NIrV)

Don’t hold back—give freely, and you’ll have plenty poured back into your lap—a good measure, pressed down, shaken together, brimming over. You’ll receive in the same measure you give. Luke 6:38 (VOICE)

Don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God. Hebrews 13:16 (NLT)

Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. Romans 15:7 (NIV)

Carry one another’s burdens and in this way you will fulfill the requirements of the law of Christ [that is, the law of Christian love]. Galatians 6:2 (AMP)

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