Be Generous Toward The Needy
If anyone is poor among your fellow Israelites in any of the towns of the land the LORD your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward them. Rather, be openhanded and freely lend them whatever they need. Be careful not to harbor this wicked thought: "The seventh year, the year for canceling debts, is near," so that you do not show ill will toward the needy among your fellow Israelites and give them nothing. They may then appeal to the LORD against you, and you will be found guilty of sin. Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this, the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to.
There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land. Deuteronomy 15:7-11.
There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land. Deuteronomy 15:7-11.
It is rather interesting that God laid such a careful foundation for peace, prosperity, and the socio-economic wellbeing of His children. He gave them all these laws, commandments and instructions prior to their entering to possess and live in the Promised Land. He made it clear that following His precepts would lead to life but ignoring them is the kiss of death. No aspect of life was left untouched by God as He carefully blessed His children with divine guidance for a great and prosperous life.
One aspect of life that was particularly dear to the heart of God was the plight of the poor and needy in the land. God recognized that "there will always be poor people in the land."
The question was: how were the poor to be handled in society so they could live in dignity to reflect the same image of God that the well-to-do possessed? The poor also have dignity!
God's answer was: "Do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward them. Rather, be open-handed and freely lend them whatever they need . . . give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart." It is also interesting that God has given great spiritual clout to the poor against the rich who act wickedly toward them. They can appeal to God and He will stand up for them against the wicked.
How we treat the poor as individuals and as a society truly matters to God. It is important to create margins in our finances and budgets so that we can always rise to the occasion to aid the poor. This touches the heart of God greatly. A society that tramples upon the poor and needy incurs the wrath of God. A person who is not generous toward the needy will not enjoy generosity from God. Be generous toward the needy.
One aspect of life that was particularly dear to the heart of God was the plight of the poor and needy in the land. God recognized that "there will always be poor people in the land."
The question was: how were the poor to be handled in society so they could live in dignity to reflect the same image of God that the well-to-do possessed? The poor also have dignity!
God's answer was: "Do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward them. Rather, be open-handed and freely lend them whatever they need . . . give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart." It is also interesting that God has given great spiritual clout to the poor against the rich who act wickedly toward them. They can appeal to God and He will stand up for them against the wicked.
How we treat the poor as individuals and as a society truly matters to God. It is important to create margins in our finances and budgets so that we can always rise to the occasion to aid the poor. This touches the heart of God greatly. A society that tramples upon the poor and needy incurs the wrath of God. A person who is not generous toward the needy will not enjoy generosity from God. Be generous toward the needy.
Prayer: Lord, the temptation to keep acquiring things that I do not necessarily need is a real one. Please help me to bridle myself and create margins in my finances so that I can help the less fortunate at all times. Amen.