Leviticus 25:35
““‘If your brother has become poor, and his hand can’t support himself among you; then you shall uphold him. He shall live with you like an alien and a temporary resident.”
What does Leviticus 25:35 mean?
When someone in your community falls into poverty through no fault of their own, you're called to step in and help them survive. The passage recognizes that hardship can happen to anyone, even those once self-sufficient, and it places the responsibility for care on the whole community rather than leaving people to fend for themselves. The comparison to welcoming a stranger or temporary resident suggests you should offer practical support (food, shelter, work) while preserving their dignity, treating them as a valued member rather than as a burden. This reflects a basic belief that human worth isn't tied to productivity or wealth, and that those with means have a real obligation to their struggling neighbors.