PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Deuteronomy.13-15
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“I command you to be openhanded toward the poor and needy in your land.” (Deuteronomy 15:11)
In the Law of Moses there are some very stern commands, and some very generous ones.
We like the generous ones, that speak of mercy, compassion and concern for the poor.
But commands about clean and unclean food, and stoning false prophets are harder to face.
Even if we agree to their purpose and value, they are still hard to follow.
Throwing stones at people would not be easy for me, but is being openhanded to the poor?
God makes it clear that there will always be poor people around us (15:11).
And yet no one should be poor, because there will always be enough (15:4).
The issue is not supply, but the willingness of those who have it to share it.
God wants to help people, to protect people, to set them free from bondage.
The other religions were not just alternate viewpoints, they were harmful.
They oppressed, enslaved and abused, they made people into animals.
God’s commands to be different are His way of creating a better society for all.
There should be no war, or no slavery, or no poverty, if God’s people obey.
So why am I resisting the command to be actually be generous to the poor?
PRAYER
Lord, I can’t stone other people, but I seem to be OK with not being openhanded to them either. Help me not to just appreciate Your generosity to me, help me to imitate it in how I relate to others.
Deut 15:11 There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land.
This was what the Lord spoke and commanded through Moses to the Israelites as they’ll enter the land of abundance (flowing with milk and honey). Jesus said it in Matthew 26:11, “The poor you will always have with you, …” Therefore I will always have the opportunity to follow the Lord’s command to be openhanded – generous to others as the Lord blesses me. Lord Jesus help me to minister to the poor and needy as you would do when you are here–not only give my money but to help to address the real need as you did. This I can do if I’ll keep my devotion to you Jesus for you have sent the Holy Spirit and you are dwelling in me. Let me be openhanded for You, in You, and with You Jesus.
My devotion to the Lord must be singular and undivided – no loyalty to any or anything other. The passage is clear that I must reject distractions/temptations that draw me away – there is much to entice me. God promises His blessing and He enables me to be a blessing to others – so in my dedication to Him I must not be selfish but responsive to the needs of those around me – help me stamp out my calloused heart that ignores/neglects the needs of others. Help me forgive – cancel the debts of others – help me to forgive from the heart.
Do this and live. That is what the Master said. Live and do this.
As the Lord God has blessed me I need to be a blessing to others. I need to be a stepping stone and not hardhearted unto others. My hand needs to be an open hand to freely give as the Lord has freely given to me. All what I have is His and He has given me the choice to freely serve Him by obeying His Word. I need to obey that word by my deeds daily. Others need to see Christ Jesus living in me.
God forgave my sin in Jesus’ name.
I’ve been born again in Jesus’ name
And in Jesus’ name I come to you
To share his love as he told me to.
He said ‘Freely, freely you have received;, freely, freely give.
Go in my name, and because you believe others will know that I live.
All pow’r is giv’n in Jesus’ name
in earth and heav’n in jesus name
And in Jesus’ name I come to you
To share his pow’r as he told me to.
He said ‘Freely, freely you have received;, freely, freely give.
Go in my name, and because you believe others will know that I live.
God gives us life in Jesus’ name
he lives in us in Jesus’ name
And in Jesus’ name I come to you
To share his peace as he told me to.