What Does the Bible Say about Homelessness?
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You are driving on a busy road, thinking about where you are going or what may be left on your to-do list, when you begin to see a figure at the stoplight ahead. It’s a person who is homeless, seeking support from drivers for food, shelter, or something else.
We have all encountered someone who is homeless at some point in our lives. Or maybe you yourself have been homeless for a time, enduring the struggle that comes with not having a permanent home. According to National Public Radio, in 2023 there were more than 650,000 people in the United States living outside in cars, tents or in shelters, up 12% from the year before. Globally, 1.6 billion people are homeless, with 15 million people evicted from their homes each year.
With those statistics in mind, we can all agree that homelessness is a major problem that warrants our prayers and help as followers of Christ. But what are we called to do by God to help those without homes?
We will see that homelessness is discussed extensively in the Bible, especially how we can help those who need our assistance and loving care. God wants us to help those in need of love and care, lifting them up as we glorify God.
Homelessness in the Bible
There are several instances of homelessness in the Bible. Moses was homeless after running away from Egypt due to killing the Egyptian. The apostle Paul was regularly homeless as he preached the gospel everywhere.
The most recognizable example of homelessness in the Bible though was of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He went from city to city, relying on the kindness of others for shelter, food, and water. Jesus even shares in Matthew 25:36; 40 how people cared for Him while He was on earth:
“I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me … And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’”
Jesus saw everyone as equal, just as God does. The verse above demonstrates that when you care for the needs of those who are homeless, whether you know them personally or not, you are caring for the needs of our Lord. You never know if someone you are helping could be an angel in disguise, as Hebrews 13:2 states: “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.”
What these examples from the Bible also show is that God provides for all our needs when we are without a home, as He did for David when he was on the run from King Saul, for Paul when he was preaching in multiple cities, even for those who were healed from illness and suffering from God through the disciples.
However, God also wants us to be part of helping those who are struggling to get by, not just praying that God’s provision will be given to the homeless, but by actively taking part in changing a person’s life for the better.
Ways to Help the Homeless
Before we begin, the first thing we should all do is remember that God wants us to help people, not enable them and their bad habits. We may feel led to give the person on the street money, but worry that it will be used for alcohol, drugs, or unhealthy behavior in some way. Before doing anything to help others, always give God the opportunity to speak into your spirit and tell you how you can really help the person most.
Offering money is always one way to help a homeless person get a hot meal or a night in a hotel. But if you don’t feel comfortable handling out cash, you can give to a charity that supports efforts for homeless people, from providing meals to helping them with employment and housing.
If you want to be more active in helping those who are less fortunate, there are several opportunities for you to roll up your sleeves and aid those in your community. Most cities and towns have food pantries where you can donate items so families in the area can receive essential items. Or you can take part in serving in a soup kitchen, either as part of a line dishing out food or even delivering food out in public.
On the topic of giving out food, if you are on the road and see a homeless person looking for a handout, you can always give a handheld snack and/or bottle of water (with or without money) to help someone right where they are. Especially on a hot day, the gift of a drink of water can be a major blessing.
Another great way to help the homeless could be inside your own closet. Clothes that you don’t wear anymore could be taken to groups collecting clothes for various purposes. These clothes could be for job interviews or just to replace the everyday clothes of a person in need.
Helping the Spiritual Needs of the Homeless
It can be easy to just donate some clothes or help fill a food pantry to assist the needs of the homeless. But we as God’s children are also called to help the spiritual needs of our fellow brothers and sisters. This may require us to become more invested than we originally thought, but that will impact not only the people we help but ourselves as well.
Prayer is always one of the simplest steps we can take for the spiritual lives of those who are homeless. Prayer for spiritual guidance, for recovery, for breaking of strongholds can help a homeless person find hope and, most importantly, a new or renewed relationship with God that will lead them out of their struggles. Praying over the needs of others reminds us of the problems others are facing and encourages our gratitude for who God is in all our lives.
Handing out Bibles or inviting a homeless person to your church is another way to assist the spiritual needs of those who are homeless. Opening the door for God to come into the person’s life (for the first time or again) by way of reading God’s Word or experiencing a church service will strengthen the faith of all those involved.
Lastly, engaging with homeless people by giving them a smile, a pat on the back, or talking with them at length allows the Holy Spirit to come through in your words and actions. Being a light in the dark place a homeless person is in, letting them know they matter to you as they matter to God, convinces the person that there is hope for their path ahead.
Homelessness is, unfortunately, a prevalent factor in our lives today, especially as it gets harder to live with growing costs and difficulties. However, as the Bible shows, homelessness doesn’t mean that God can’t make changes in a person’s life, or that He doesn’t care about them. You can be a part of that change.
Whether it is praying with a homeless person and their struggles or taking part in serving them food, options are there to not just be a passing handout on the highway but a hand up to a better life with the Lord.
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