Helping Up The Poor

Deuteronomy 15:7-8 NIV

"If anyone is poor among your fellow Israelites in any of the towns of the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward them. Rather, be openhanded and freely lend them whatever they need."

“You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.” ― John Bunyan

The greatest act of man is to be benevolent to those in need.  John Bunyan was a straight to the point preacher in his time.  He championed living out one's faith through benevolence or charity. 

But notice what Moses says to the people of Israel.  First, he invokes the name of God.  God was generous and gave the people of Israel the land in which they resided.  When we stop looking at our possessions as ours and begin seeing them as God's generosity towards us, we are taking the first step towards being benevolent.

Second, Moses says that a hardhearted or tightfisted person is not one who will care for the poor.  Caring for the poor requires an attitude like Christ.  We have to see the poor with compassionate hearts.  God's compassion provided every need the Israelites had as they fled Egypt - clothes, food, money, and so much more.  To look at others as if they should never need a hand up is to spit on the compassion God showed towards our own needs.

Finally, Moses says be openhanded and to freely lend.  In other words, require them to get up out of their plight and give them direction to go.  There is not anything wrong with requiring someone to go through a financial class, to work for what they receive, or expect any reasonable return for what is given.

We do much harm when we do not encourage the poor to get our of their debt through education, training, and goal setting.  The worst thing a nation can do is to set up a perpetual system of welfare where nothing is done to help the poor get out of their circumstances.  Think on these things as you prepare to care for those in need.  Do not be tightfisted while making sure people are getting back on their feet.  It is a big task but when we work together with Christ, all things are possible.