Deuteronomy 15:10 “You shall generously give to him, and your heart shall not be grieved when you give to him, because for this thing the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in all your undertakings.”
This passage is one of the many throughout the Bible reminding us that how we give is just as important as what we give. We are reminded not to look grudgingly on the poor brother and give reluctantly but rather to give freely and without resentment. Even further, this passage in Deuteronomy tells us that every seven years, all debts were to be cancelled. Everybody would start over, unburdened by accumulated indebtedness.
God says something controversial and striking about the society he wants to build: “There need be no poor people among you.” (15:4) His intention is to build an economy so prosperous that poverty can be eliminated. That is the optimistic framework that God’s justice requires. He created a world where all flourishes. He means to bring about that condition again. Of course, God knows the failings of the people he has called. So, he also says, “There will always be poor people in the land.” (15:11). Whether through oppression or natural calamity or through their own failings, people will become poor. But that is not what God wants!
Often, resentment toward the poor develops when we view ourselves as the rulers and owners of our time, treasure, and talents. When we recognize that our time, money, and skills belong to God, giving without resentment becomes much easier. In fact, if we do this, we’re told that we will be blessed in our work and all that we undertake. God’s Justice-Zondervan Publishing
HELPING THE POOR
He has made a world where no one need be poor. He gives laws to his people that are meant to stop poverty in its tracks. Is his remedy fair to those who loaned the money? Again, as with the land laws in Leviticus, it’s God’s money! Not ours! According to him, it’s not right that any one of his creatures should be permanently poor.
These verses are also notable in urging us to be generous to the poor. In other words, it’s not just the legal, economic structures that should eliminate poverty. It’s also our hearts and our hands. God’s people are to give generously to the poor, and with a willing heart. (15:10) By siding with God in his concern for them, we will experience God’s blessing in everything we do.
It is a dreadful thing to have the cry of the poor justly against us. Grudge not a kindness to thy brother; distrust not the providence of God. What thou doest, do freely, for God loves a cheerful giver, 2Co 9:7. Bible Hub
Reflection:
- Are there any barriers in your life preventing you from giving freely without resentment? What are they?
- How is God calling you to respond to these barriers?
Prayer: God, I ask that you help me develop a more generous heart. I pray that you would help me to give generously to those around me and do so without a grudging heart. Help me to never withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in my power to do it.
As I give, help me to give to you with a whole heart. You have always set the example of giving your best to us, so please help me to never hold back my best offering, but to always give you (and others) my best.
I choose to give and be generous, not requiring a reward, but out of a grateful heart. At the same time I am expectant to see your promise in Proverbs 11:25 and Proverbs 22:9 that “the generous man will be prosperous” and “he who is generous will be blessed.”
I know that I am blessed to be a blessing and want the world to be blessed through me. I know that as I give boldly, you will take care of me because in Proverbs 28:27 you promise that “He who gives to the poor will never want”. I ask for boldness to trust you in this area as I submit this to you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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