A
homeless man spends time in our local library. One afternoon, while I was
writing there, I took a lunch break. After I finished the first half of a
turkey and Swiss cheese sandwich, an image of the man’s face came to mind. A
few minutes later, I offered him the untouched part of my lunch. He accepted.
This
brief encounter made me realize that with all that God has given me, I needed
to do more to help those who are less fortunate. Later, as I thought about
this, I read Moses’ instructions on providing for the poor. He told the
Israelites: Do not “shut your hand from your poor brother, but . . .
open your hand wide to him” (Deut. 15:7-8). An open hand symbolizes the way God
wanted His nation to provide for impoverished people—willingly and freely. No
excuses, no holding back (v.9). God had given to them, and He wanted them to
give generously enough to supply whatever was “sufficient” for the need (v.8).
When we
offer open-handed help to the poor, God blesses us for our kindness (Ps.
41:1-3; Prov. 19:17). With His leading, consider how you might “extend your
soul to the hungry” (Isa. 58:10) and freely give to help others in Jesus’ name.
You may
give without loving, but you can’t love without giving. (RBC)
