Open Your Hand Wide
When was the last time you helped a poor person? Were you generous or not? I am asking this question because God has a heart for poor people, and He commands us, as believers, to be generous in our help for the poor people around us, both believers and non-believers.(Deuteronomy 15:11) I think is is hard for some of us, but we need to consider God's command seriously.
Jesus said that we would have the poor with us always. That is what Moses said in this passage. In other words, there will be needy people around us, and we have the opportunity to help them. In fact, it is a command for us to help them. We can give them what they need or help them get what they need, but we should do it with a heart of love, just like God loves them. I know the Bible says that if they don't work, they will not eat. I believe that is very much a part of this equation. However, if a person is willing to work and looking for work, we should help him and his family. It is a way to be Jesus to them and to show the love of the Lord. We never know when we will be the ones to set them free from the hole they are in, so they can be a blessing to others themselves.
Also, while it should not be our motivation, God promises to bless our lives, if we are a blessing to others. Luke 6:38 says that we will receive as we give to others. That is why Moses told the people to open their hand wide and to be generous. He knew God would bless them in the same way, and it would help their entire community.
I hope we all will look for ways to give to poor people and watch to see what God does for them. We should watch for ways to be a witness to them, too, so they can receive the greatest gift, Jesus Christ.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Deuteronomy 19-22.
Jesus said that we would have the poor with us always. That is what Moses said in this passage. In other words, there will be needy people around us, and we have the opportunity to help them. In fact, it is a command for us to help them. We can give them what they need or help them get what they need, but we should do it with a heart of love, just like God loves them. I know the Bible says that if they don't work, they will not eat. I believe that is very much a part of this equation. However, if a person is willing to work and looking for work, we should help him and his family. It is a way to be Jesus to them and to show the love of the Lord. We never know when we will be the ones to set them free from the hole they are in, so they can be a blessing to others themselves.
Also, while it should not be our motivation, God promises to bless our lives, if we are a blessing to others. Luke 6:38 says that we will receive as we give to others. That is why Moses told the people to open their hand wide and to be generous. He knew God would bless them in the same way, and it would help their entire community.
I hope we all will look for ways to give to poor people and watch to see what God does for them. We should watch for ways to be a witness to them, too, so they can receive the greatest gift, Jesus Christ.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Deuteronomy 19-22.