7 Practical Ways to Give to the Poor The Biblical Mandate Throughout the Bible, we see commands in both the Old and New Testaments to give to the poor. In Jewish Law, God gives several instructions to the nation of Israel to give aid to those who are in need such as,For six years you are to sow your fields and harvest the crops, but during the seventh year let the land lie unplowed and unused. Then the poor among your people may get food from it, and the wild animals may eat what they leave. Do the same with your vineyard and your olive grove (Exodus 23:10-11). When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the graps that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the alien. I am the Lord your God (Leviticus 19:9-10). He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses (Proverbs 28:27). The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern (Proverbs 29:7). In the New Testament, we see the same call of compassion for the poor from Jesus and the leaders of the early church.Then the Lord said to him, "Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. You foolish people! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also? But give what is inside the dish to the poor, and everything will be clean for you" (Luke 11:39-41). "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also" (Luke 12:32-34). When Jesus heard this, he said to him [the rich ruler], "You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me" (Luke 18:22).
Posted on: Wed, 05 Jun 2013 00:11:00 +0000
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