Give Generously
If there is a poor man among your brothers in any of the towns
of the land that the LORD your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or
tightfisted toward your poor brother. Rather be openhanded and freely lend him
whatever he needs. 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 your needy brother and give him nothing. He may then
appeal to the LORD against you, and you will be found guilty of sin. Give
generously to him 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 brothers and toward the poor and needy in your
land.
Deuteronomy 15:7-11
God expected generosity in His people. Moses emphasized the
reality of poverty and how the more affluent must deal with it. They were warned
of four dangers: a hard heart, which ignored the needs of the poor; an evil
thought, which was hesitation in lending money to the poor because the year of
canceling debts was nearing; a closed hand, which withheld what the poor
lacked; and a grudging spirit, which was a reluctance to satisfy the needs of
the poor.
Among God’s people, there must always be a spirit of generosity
toward the poor. Open your hearts and hands.
Generosity stems from the heart that has
experienced God’s grace.
Our Daily Bread –