What does the Bible say about helping refugees?
1. Romans 15:7*
Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.
2. Zechariah 7:9,10
This is what the Lord Almighty said: “Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. Do not plot evil against each other.”
3. Job 31:32
But no stranger had to spend the night in the street, for my door was always open to the traveler.
4. Luke 10:36,37
[Jesus asked,] “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”
5. Galatians 5:14
For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbour as yourself.”
6. James 2:12,13 (NLT)
So whatever you say or whatever you do, remember that you will be judged by the law that sets you free. There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you.
7. Leviticus 19:33,34
When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were once foreigners in Egypt.
8. Hebrews 13:16
And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
9. Ephesians 2:19
Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household.
10. Micah 6:8
. . . And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
This coming Sabbath is the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s World Refugee Sabbath, a day set aside to raise awareness of the needs of the more than 20 million people who have been displaced from their homes due to civil unrest and persecution. For more information or resources, visit adra.org/refugees. *All references from the New International Version unless otherwise specified.
