- Joined
- Oct 26, 2007
- Messages
- 12,543
"When you beat your olive trees, you shall not go over the boughs again; it shall be for the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow. Deuteronomy 24:20
God made it clear to the Israelites that not all the grain of their fields, nor all the grapes of their vineyard, nor all the lives of their love trees belonged to them. The fallen stalks of grain, the hard-to-reach grapes, and the stubborn olives were to be left for the poor. God cared for the destitute, and commanded the Israelites to provide for them (see Deuteronomy 24:19-22).
Some may complain that the government spends hard-earned tax dollars in welfare programs for those who just don't want to work. But there are many and legitimate needy who benefit from this help. You or someone in your family may have availed yourself of this at times.
God often blesses you so that you can share with others (Ephesians 4:28). He will even nudge your heart to help others when you don't feel like you can really afford to. That's what God is like. He considers the needs of the poor, and wants you to consider them as well (Psalm 41:1; Proverbs 29:4). Give wisely, but trust that God knows what He's doing.
Prayer: God, help me to obey You when You tell me to give of my belongings or my cash to help the needy. And give me wisdom, I pray.
God made it clear to the Israelites that not all the grain of their fields, nor all the grapes of their vineyard, nor all the lives of their love trees belonged to them. The fallen stalks of grain, the hard-to-reach grapes, and the stubborn olives were to be left for the poor. God cared for the destitute, and commanded the Israelites to provide for them (see Deuteronomy 24:19-22).
Some may complain that the government spends hard-earned tax dollars in welfare programs for those who just don't want to work. But there are many and legitimate needy who benefit from this help. You or someone in your family may have availed yourself of this at times.
God often blesses you so that you can share with others (Ephesians 4:28). He will even nudge your heart to help others when you don't feel like you can really afford to. That's what God is like. He considers the needs of the poor, and wants you to consider them as well (Psalm 41:1; Proverbs 29:4). Give wisely, but trust that God knows what He's doing.
Prayer: God, help me to obey You when You tell me to give of my belongings or my cash to help the needy. And give me wisdom, I pray.
