Let the Poor Say I Am Rich: Is It in the KJV Bible?

Many Christians sing these words every Sunday and assume they are a straight Bible quote. That is why so many people search for the verse. The honest answer is that the song joins one real verse with a Bible idea in its own words.

Below are the exact KJV verses people are usually looking for, what each one means in context, and how to use them in prayer without twisting them.

Where in the Bible does it say "let the poor say I am rich"?

Nowhere, word for word. You can search every book of the King James Version and you will not find "let the poor say, I am rich".

The phrase is from "Give Thanks" (also called "Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart"). Henry Smith wrote it in 1978 during a hard season when he was struggling to find work and losing his sight. The song became famous through Don Moen's 1986 album Give Thanks on Hosanna! Music, which is why many people think Don Moen wrote it.

The song's idea of a poor person becoming rich is drawn from Paul's teaching that Jesus became poor so that we could be made rich. Sources on the song's history link it to a sermon on that theme.

Let the weak say I am strong: Joel 3:10 KJV

This is the part of the line that is a real verse.

"Beat your plowshares into swords and your pruninghooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong." Joel 3:10 (KJV)

In context, Joel 3 is a call to the nations to prepare for war before God judges them in the valley of Jehoshaphat. Verse 9 says "Prepare war, wake up the mighty men". The words are a challenge to the nations: even the weak man should arm himself, because the battle is coming.

Notice that it flips Isaiah 2:4 and Micah 4:3, where people "beat their swords into plowshares" in a time of peace. Joel describes the opposite moment.

So Joel 3:10 is not first a promise about personal strength. Christians still use the phrase as a confession of faith, and the New Testament gives solid ground for that idea in 2 Corinthians 12:9 to 10 (below).

Bible verses about the poor being rich (KJV)

These are the verses that carry the "poor say I am rich" idea. Each is quoted from the King James Version.

2 Corinthians 8:9

"For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich." 2 Corinthians 8:9 (KJV)

This is the closest verse to the song's meaning. Paul wrote it while asking the Corinthians to give generously to poor believers in Jerusalem. The riches are first the riches of grace and salvation through Christ.

2 Corinthians 6:10

"As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things." 2 Corinthians 6:10 (KJV)

Paul describes the life of the apostles: poor by the world's measure, yet rich in what matters and able to enrich others.

James 2:5

"Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?" James 2:5 (KJV)

James tells the church not to favour the rich. God has chosen many who are poor in money to be rich in faith.

Revelation 2:9

"I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich)..." Revelation 2:9 (KJV)

Jesus speaks to the suffering church in Smyrna. They had little, but He calls them rich.

Proverbs 13:7

"There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches." Proverbs 13:7 (KJV)

Appearances can lie. Some show off wealth they do not have; others live simply while being truly rich.

Revelation 3:17

"Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:" Revelation 3:17 (KJV)

This is the warning on the other side. The church in Laodicea said "I am rich" with pride, and Jesus said they were really poor. Saying "I am rich" is good when it is thanks for grace, not boasting.

Bible verses for "I am strong" when you feel weak

If you came for the "let the weak say I am strong" part, these verses fit even better than Joel 3:10.

"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness." 2 Corinthians 12:9 (KJV)

"...for when I am weak, then am I strong." 2 Corinthians 12:10 (KJV)

"But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19 (KJV)

"Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God." Luke 6:20 (KJV)

What "let the poor say I am rich" means

It means a believer with little money can still thank God because, in Christ, they are rich in grace, faith and hope. It is a song of thanks, not a promise that saying the words will bring money.

Many pastors in Nigeria and Ghana use the line as a declaration. That is fine when it rests on what the Bible actually says: God supplies needs (Philippians 4:19), He honours honest work, and the richest thing a person can have is a right standing with Him. Be careful of any preaching that treats the phrase as a formula for wealth.

A short declaration based on these verses

You can pray in your own words. Here is one way, built on the verses above:

"Lord, thank You that Jesus became poor so that I could be rich in Your grace. When I am weak, Your strength is enough for me. Supply my needs according to Your riches in glory, and keep my heart thankful in plenty and in want. In Jesus' name, amen."

For more on prayer, see how to pray with salt, candle and Psalms and our faith section.

Frequently asked questions

Is "let the poor say I am rich" in the Bible?

No. It is a line from the worship song "Give Thanks" by Henry Smith. The closest Bible verses are 2 Corinthians 8:9 and James 2:5.

What scripture says "let the weak say I am strong"?

Joel 3:10 in the KJV: "let the weak say, I am strong." In context it is a call to the nations to prepare for battle.

Who wrote "let the weak say I am strong, let the poor say I am rich"?

Henry Smith wrote "Give Thanks" in 1978. Don Moen made it widely known with his 1986 recording, but he did not write it.

What does 2 Corinthians 8:9 mean?

It means Jesus gave up His heavenly riches and came as a poor man so that believers could share in the riches of His grace and salvation.

Is it wrong to say "let the poor say I am rich"?

No, as long as you know it is a song and mean it as thanks for God's grace. It becomes a problem only when it is treated as a Bible promise of money.