Helping the Helpless
I love God's system for helping those who can't help themselves. He does not leave it up to the government or even to the church. He commands us, as individuals and families, to help others around us all of the time. God's instructions here in Deuteronomy are very explicit. They were not to be greedy with what He gave them. They were to intentionally share part of what they had with the resident aliens, the fatherless, and the widows. (Deuteronomy 24:19) Just think how wonderful it would be today, if all of us would do that for those whom we know to be in need.
God's system of helping the helpless was not cold and sterile, like it is when the government supports people. His way led to forming relationships with people. When we grow in those relationships, we form community. That is what is lacking in our society today. We live very close to each other, but we might as well be miles apart. God wants us to care for others. He wants us to all work hard, and then, to share out of what He gives us. Then, as He promised in Deuteronomy, He will bless us in all the work of our hands. If we are greedy, He can't bless us. I pray that we will all prayerfully apply these rules from the Old Covenant, and adapt them to our culture today, in order to love others as we should and to be good witnesses to those who need the Lord.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Deuteronomy 26-28.
God's system of helping the helpless was not cold and sterile, like it is when the government supports people. His way led to forming relationships with people. When we grow in those relationships, we form community. That is what is lacking in our society today. We live very close to each other, but we might as well be miles apart. God wants us to care for others. He wants us to all work hard, and then, to share out of what He gives us. Then, as He promised in Deuteronomy, He will bless us in all the work of our hands. If we are greedy, He can't bless us. I pray that we will all prayerfully apply these rules from the Old Covenant, and adapt them to our culture today, in order to love others as we should and to be good witnesses to those who need the Lord.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Deuteronomy 26-28.