God took steps to protect the poor. Every seven years, during the sabbatical year, He required His people to cancel all loans made to fellow Israelites.
“Every seventh year you shall grant a remission of debts. And this is the manner of the remission: every creditor shall remit the claim that is held against a neighbor, not exacting it, because the Lord’s remission has been proclaimed” (Deuteronomy 15:1-2).
In a perfect world, there would be no poor among the Israelites because everyone would follow God’s laws.
“There will, however, be no one in need among you, because the Lord is sure to bless you in the land that the Lord your God is giving you as a possession to occupy,
If only you will obey the Lord your God by diligently observing this entire commandment that I command you today” (Deuteronomy 15:4-5).
However, God understood human nature and knew this wouldn’t happen. So, He included a way to show kindness to the poor.
A Heart Like the Lord’s
The way followers of the Lord care for those in need shows our true hearts. God told us not to harden our hearts but to have a heart like His toward those who are less fortunate than us.
“If there is among you anyone in need, a member of your community in any of your towns within the land that the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hard-hearted or tight-fisted toward your needy neighbor.
You should rather open your hand, willingly lending enough to meet the need, whatever it may be.
Be careful that you do not entertain a mean thought, thinking, ‘The seventh year, the year of remission, is near,’ and therefore view your needy neighbor with hostility and give nothing; your neighbor might cry to the Lord against you, and you would incur guilt” (Deuteronomy 15:7-9).
It’s important to avoid being hard-hearted, stingy, or having mean thoughts toward those in need.
On Sunday, I sat with a man from South Sudan. He’s part of a recovery program and has experienced homelessness and poverty. As he shared his story, I learned that 30 years ago, his entire family was killed in a raid.
This traumatic event likely led to his struggles with addiction as a teenager and adult. I pray he finds the strength to overcome it.
If I saw him begging on the street, I might be quick to judge. But knowing his story, I realize I can’t be unkind or ignore his needs. If I do, God says his cries will reach Him, just like the cries of innocent blood that has been shed.
Open Your Hand to the Poor
In a perfect world, there would be no poor people. But our world isn’t perfect, and many people around us are in need. For those of us who can help, God has a message.
Give liberally and be ungrudging when you do so, for on this account the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in all that you undertake.
Since there will never cease to be some in need on the earth, I therefore command you, ‘Open your hand to the poor and needy neighbor in your land'” (Deuteronomy 15:10-11).
Years ago, at a conference, I heard a speaker discuss the importance of giving. He said that if your hand is open, God can put anything in it and also take anything out.
This idea captures the spirit of these verses. An open hand, generous and not begrudging towards the poor, allows God to bless us. He can put anything in our hands and also take out what He wants to bless others.
Thoughts on Giving
I remember times when giving money to someone was very helpful. It got them out of a tough spot. I also remember times when giving money was misused, and I ended up being conned by someone with a sad story.
How do you know when it’s best to give and when it’s best to refuse? I don’t have an absolute answer.
However, if we follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we’ll have a better sense of when to give and when to hold back. It’s not always 100% accurate because we don’t always hear God perfectly, but it’s a good start.
At the end of the day, we shouldn’t close our hearts or hands out of greed. That would be completely wrong.
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross, Bruce Kirby, and I discussed this passage on YouTube today.
Real Voices 