God calls us to live with integrity, kindness, and justice. Taking advantage of others—whether through deception, exploitation, or oppression—is condemned throughout Scripture. Instead, we are commanded to love our neighbors and treat them as we would want to be treated. The following Bible verses remind us of the importance of honesty, compassion, and fairness in all our dealings.
Also Read: Bible Verses About Manipulating Others
God’s Warning Against Oppression
The Bible warns against using power and influence to exploit others. God hears the cries of the oppressed and promises justice for those who are wronged. Those who take advantage of others will face divine consequences.
Proverbs 22:16
“Whoever oppresses the poor to increase his own wealth, or gives to the rich, will only come to poverty.”
Exodus 22:22-23
“You must not exploit a widow or an orphan. If you exploit them in any way and they cry out to me, then I will certainly hear their cry.”
Isaiah 10:1-2
“What sorrow awaits the unjust judges and those who issue unfair laws. They deprive the poor of justice and deny the rights of the needy among my people.”
Micah 2:1-2
“What sorrow awaits you who lie awake at night thinking up evil plans. You rise at dawn and hurry to carry them out, simply because you have the power to do so.”
James 5:4
“For listen! Hear the cries of the field workers whom you have cheated of their pay. The wages you held back cry out against you. The cries of those who harvest your fields have reached the ears of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.”
Honest Business Practices
God values honesty and integrity in our financial dealings. Cheating, lying, and manipulating others for profit may bring temporary gain, but ultimately, it leads to ruin. God blesses those who conduct business with fairness and righteousness.
Proverbs 11:1
“The Lord detests the use of dishonest scales, but he delights in accurate weights.”
Leviticus 19:13
“Do not defraud or rob your neighbor. Do not make your hired workers wait until the next day to receive their pay.”
Proverbs 16:8
“Better to have little, with godliness, than to be rich and dishonest.”
Jeremiah 22:13
“What sorrow awaits Jehoiakim, who builds his palace with forced labor. He says, ‘I will build a magnificent palace with huge rooms and many windows, paneled throughout with fragrant cedar and painted a lovely red.’”
Luke 16:10
“If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities.”
Exploiting the Weak and Needy
God commands us to care for the weak, not to take advantage of them. The Bible teaches that those who exploit the vulnerable will be held accountable before God.
Proverbs 14:31
“Those who oppress the poor insult their Maker, but helping the poor honors him.”
Zechariah 7:9-10
“This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Judge fairly, and show mercy and kindness to one another. Do not oppress widows, orphans, foreigners, and the poor.”
Psalm 12:5
“The Lord replies, ‘I have seen violence done to the helpless, and I have heard the groans of the poor. Now I will rise up to rescue them, as they have longed for me to do.'”
Deuteronomy 27:19
“‘Cursed is anyone who denies justice to foreigners, orphans, or widows.’ And all the people will reply, ‘Amen.'”
Job 31:16-17
“If I have denied the desires of the poor or let the widow’s eyes grow weary, if I have kept my bread to myself, not sharing it with the fatherless…”
Deception and Dishonesty
Lying, scheming, and deceitful practices to take advantage of others are sinful. God calls us to be people of truth, reflecting His righteousness in all our interactions.
Proverbs 20:17
“Stolen bread tastes sweet, but it turns to gravel in the mouth.”
Colossians 3:9
“Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds.”
Proverbs 19:5
“A false witness will not go unpunished, nor will a liar escape.”
Psalm 101:7
“I will not allow deceivers to serve in my house, and liars will not stay in my presence.”
Hosea 12:7
“But no, the people are like crafty merchants selling from dishonest scales—they love to cheat.”
Also Read: Bible Verses About Treating Others Badly
Treating Others with Love and Respect
Rather than exploiting others, we are called to love and serve them. Jesus set the ultimate example of humility, compassion, and fairness.
Matthew 7:12
“Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the Law and the Prophets.”
Philippians 2:3
“Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.”
Romans 12:10
“Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.”
1 Corinthians 10:24
“Don’t be concerned for your own good but for the good of others.”
1 John 4:20
“If someone says, ‘I love God,’ but hates a fellow believer, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see?”
God’s Judgment on Those Who Exploit Others
God is just, and He does not overlook the sins of those who take advantage of others. Throughout Scripture, He warns that those who oppress, deceive, or exploit others will face His judgment. No one can escape His righteous justice.
Ecclesiastes 5:8
“Don’t be surprised if you see a poor person being oppressed by the powerful and if justice is being miscarried throughout the land. For every official is under orders from higher up, and matters of justice get lost in red tape and bureaucracy.”
Isaiah 3:14-15
“The Lord comes forward to pronounce judgment on the elders and rulers of his people: ‘You have ruined Israel, my vineyard. Your houses are filled with things stolen from the poor. How dare you crush my people, grinding the faces of the poor into the dust?’ demands the Lord, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.”
Proverbs 21:13
“Those who shut their ears to the cries of the poor will be ignored in their own time of need.”
Malachi 3:5
“At that time I will put you on trial. I am eager to witness against all sorcerers, adulterers, and liars. I will speak against those who cheat employees of their wages, who oppress widows and orphans, or who deprive the foreigners living among you of justice, for these people do not fear me, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.”
Romans 2:6
“He will judge everyone according to what they have done.”
Choosing Righteousness Over Greed
Rather than pursuing selfish gain at the expense of others, God calls us to live righteously. Seeking His kingdom and following His ways leads to lasting peace, joy, and eternal rewards. Greed may bring temporary riches, but it ultimately leads to destruction.
Proverbs 28:6
“Better to be poor and honest than to be dishonest and rich.”
Luke 12:15
“Then he said, ‘Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.'”
1 Timothy 6:10
“For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.”
Hebrews 13:5
“Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, ‘I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.'”
Matthew 6:33
“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”