Deuteronomy 14-16 – March 16

In chapter 15, I was curious about the teaching regarding poor people. At first it seemed contradictory.

 15: 4 However, there will be no poor among you, since the Lord will surely bless you in the land which the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance to possess,…

-       But yet -

7 “If there is a poor man with you, one of your brothers,…

11 For the poor will never cease to be in the land …

 

After going back and reading this closer, because it seemed like a contradiction, I realized a few things.

1 - Verse 4 includes a stipulation: …there will be no poor among you …15:5 if only you listen obediently to the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all this commandment which I am commanding you today.

 2 - Then I realized that since there will clearly be poor among them, that must mean that some were disobedient. They were poor because of their disobedience. However, the Israelites were still commanded to be generously “open handed” to the poor. So, regardless of the reason behind the need, the need was still to be met – 8 “… but you shall freely open your hand to him, and shall generously lend him sufficient for his need in whatever he lacks.”

 And “11 You shall freely open your hand to your brother, to your needy and poor in your land.’”

 Admittedly, I had to pause and consider my own attitudes about giving to the poor, and I asked myself these questions.

1 - Have you ever found yourself less generous to the poor because you knew the decisions or disobedience that resulted to that condition, along with the lack of remorse?

2 - Is this command directly relatable within American culture as it was to the Israelites?

3 - Should we consider the benefit of giving to the poor in the same light, since it seems (in our culture) to sometimes perpetuate the enablement of poor lifestyles?

 

One thing is certain. God loves everyone, regardless of anything. So should we. And to be continuously obedient to Him, requires a close personal relationship with Him. THEN we will be able to know His ways and His will for us.

 So, do not feel guilty for not doing what God did not tell you to do. But rather, know for certain what God DOES want you to do and do not be guilty of not doing it!  😊