A HEART FOR THE POOR (Part II)

Our God is a God of compassion. He cares for the poor and oppressed. The Bible records His instructions to the Israelites to provide for their needy brethren including the strangers, widows and the fatherless: “Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt. Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child.” The Lord makes it very clear that He will deal with those who oppress them: “If thou afflict them in any wise, and they cry at all unto Me, I will surely hear their cry” (Ex. 22: 21-23).

God’s care is reflected in the many provisions He made in the Mosaic Law.

Right of gleaning

“And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not wholly reap the corners of thy field, neither shalt thou gather the gleanings of thy harvest. And thou shalt not glean thy vineyard, neither shalt thou gather every grape of thy vineyard; thou shalt leave them for the poor and stranger: I am the LORD your God” (Lev. 19: 9-10).

During harvest time, the corners of fields were to be left “for the poor and stranger” to glean (Deut. 24: 19-22). Even the vineyards were not to be completely harvested; some grapes must be left to feed the poor. Likewise, the farmers were not allowed to “go over the boughs” of the olive trees a second time. The custom of allowing the poor to follow the reapers in the field and glean the fallen spears of grain is strikingly illustrated in the story of Ruth (Ruth 2). To support herself and her mother-in-law, Ruth the Moabitess widow, gleaned in Boaz’s field during the time of the barley harvest.

Share of the produce of the land

“And six years thou shalt sow thy land, and shalt gather in the fruits thereof: But the seventh year thou shalt let it rest and lie still; that the poor of thy people may eat: and what they leave the beasts of the field shall eat. In like manner thou shalt deal with thy vineyard, and with thy oliveyard” (Ex. 23: 10-11; Lev. 25: 6).

To rest the land, and to feed the poor, no ploughing, sowing or harvesting was to be done on the seventh or sabbatical year. Agricultural experts commend this as a good farming practice. God knows best and He gives His people the best. Though left uncultivated, the land still produced crops due to the seeds left over from the last harvest. The subsequent crop was left for the benefit of the poor.

Other regulations

Usury or interest on loans to an Israelite was forbidden; the pledged garment was to be returned before sundown (Ex. 22: 25-27; Deut. 24: 10-13). Wages must be paid at the day’s end (Lev. 19:13).

In the sabbatical and jubilee years, the bond-servant was to go free (Deut. 15:12-15; Lev. 25: 39-42, 47-54). Certain portions from the tithes were assigned to the needy (Deut. 14: 28-29; 26: 12-13). The poor shared freely in “the feast of weeks” which the farmers celebrated after the harvest was done. (Deut. 16: 11, 14).

A Christian duty

Similar injunctions to care for the poor are given in the New Testament (Lk. 3:11; 14: 13; Acts 6:1; Gal. 2: 10). Begging was common. We read of beggars at public places, for example, the entrance to Jericho city (Matt. 20: 30; Mk. 10: 46), in the vicinity of rich men’s houses (Lk. 16: 20-21) and at the gate of the Temple of Jerusalem (Acts 3: 2). But begging in the case of the able-bodied was forbidden, and all such were enjoined to “work with your own hands” as a Christian duty (I Thess. 4: 11; Eph. 4: 28). “ … if any would not work, neither should he eat” (II Thess. 3: 10).

Man and methods can never eliminate poverty. There will always be the poor in our midst. Note what James says : “If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?” (Jas 2:15-16). Turning a deaf ear and withholding help is sin. “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin” (Jas 4: 17).

It is in God’s loving heart to provide for the poor. Do not despise them. Look around us. Be aware of our needy brethren. Let us do good at every opportunity especially to those of the household of faith (Gal. 6: 10).

- Pastor