An Open Hand
Photo by Katt Yukawa on Unsplash
How do you determine who to be generous towards? How do you determine how generous to be towards those in need?
The scriptures teach us to live generous lives. We are to extend an open hand to the poor living in the land.
Moses wrote of how to treat those in need in his final speech to the Israelites in the book of law—in the book of Deuteronomy.
Moses exhorted the Israelites, telling them they should not turn their attention away from the poor in the land. He instructed them, saying, “you shall open your hand to him and lend him sufficient for his need, whatever it may be.” (Deuteronomy 15:8, ESV).
Jesus also understood this from law of Moses, when he said the same thing in Matthew’s Gospel, “Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.” (Matthew 5:42, ESV).
Our giving should be freely. We should live open handedly—giving to those in need.
Moses said, “You shall give to him freely, and your heart shall not be grudging when you give to him, because for this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in all that you undertake.” (Deuteronomy 15:10, ESV).
According to the law of Moses, our generosity comes out of our obedience to God’s word—following the law of our generous God. Our generosity is also followed by blessings—proceeding from the Love of our generous God, who will not be out given.
We can love God by loving others, by giving to fulfill their needs, and by blessing them where they are lacking. We can live generous lives, knowing that God blesses us in our giving and God fills us up where we are lacking.
Jesus told his disciples that they would always have the poor and needy with them. He said this in response to their criticism of a woman who lavishly anointed his head with expensive perfume. Their complaint was that they could have sold this ointment and given the money to the poor. Jesus’ response is that they should always give to the poor, who would always be with them.
Jesus was referencing this passage in the law of Moses, which says, “For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.’” (Deuteronomy 15:11, ESV).
Those hearing Jesus invoke the first portion of this verse would have immediately called to mind the entire passage and it’s proceeding verses in context. The message is clear, God commands us to give from an open hand to all the poor and needy in our land.
May we live open handedly, living generous lives as we graciously give to those in need, showing our love for our generous God, and loving for our neighbors well.
In Christ alone, Robbie
A Prayer For Those Who Serve Others: “O Lord our heavenly Father, whose blessed Son came not to be served, but to serve: We ask you to bless all who, following in his steps, give themselves to the service of others, especially those who give to the poor and needy in our land; endue them with wisdom, patience, and courage, that they may strengthen the weak and raise up those who fall, and, being inspired by your love, may worthily minister to the suffering, the friendless, and the needy; for the sake of him who laid down his life for us, your Son our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.” (#45, Book of Common Prayer, 2019).
Photo by Katt Yukawa on Unsplash
