An Open Hand to the Poor

Jesus and the Just Reign of God
Jesus Ushers in the Reign of God
Jesus Teaches Compassion for the Poor

Deuteronomy 15:7-11

The Message

^7-9 When you happen on someone who’s in trouble or needs help among your people with whom you live in this land that God, your God, is giving you, don’t look the other way pretending you don’t see him. Don’t keep a tight grip on your purse. No. Look at him, open your purse, lend whatever and as much as he needs. Don’t count the cost. Don’t listen to that selfish voice saying, “It’s almost the seventh year, the year of All-Debts-Are-Canceled,” and turn aside and leave your needy neighbor in the lurch, refusing to help him. He’ll call God’s attention to you and your blatant sin.
^10-11 Give freely and spontaneously. Don’t have a stingy heart. The way you handle matters like this triggers God, your God’s, blessing in everything you do, all your work and ventures. There are always going to be poor and needy people among you. So I command you: Always be generous, open purse and hands, give to your neighbors in trouble, your poor and hurting neighbors.

For Reflection

Why the concern for the poor?  The poor are always with us.  Perhaps one answer is hidden within the first line, "...this land that God, your God, is giving you."  We are the stewards of God's kingdom.  Those in need are as much a part of God's kingdom as are we.  As good stewards we are are to give freely and spontaneously with out regard to common expectations.  To ignore our obligation separates us from God and in doing so we sin.  In God's kingdom no one is to be ignored. 

Pray

that you will have the compassion to tend wisely to God's universe; as a shepherd attends sheep, as a gardener attends his garden, as a parent attends her child.