Generosity to the Landless

[Jonaitis]

"When you reap your harvest in your field, and have forgotten a sheaf in a field, you do not return to take it; it is for the sojourner, for the fatherless, and for the widow, so that your God YHWH blesses you in all the work of your hands. When you beat your olive, you do not examine the branch behind you; it is for the sojourner, for the fatherless, and for the widow. When you cut your vineyard, you do not glean behind you; it is for the sojourner, for the fatherless, and for the widow; and you have remembered that you have been a servant in the land of Egypt; therefore I am commanding you to do this thing.”
– Deuteronomy 24:19-22 Literal Standard Version

God often inculcates generosity among His people time and time again, inviting us to imitate Him by showing liberality to those who need help. In this passage, because the sojourner, fatherless, and widow are those who do not possess a field of their own to sow or reap, it should be in the heart of those who do to share with them in their abundance. In a modern application, while there are many ways the poor are helped by our governments, we should strive what they fail to do, and that is to be the hand of God that reaches out to those fallen between the cracks of society. If no one notices the forgotten and neglected, we should be the ones that sees, so that they may come to God with thankfulness, praying the ancient words of Hagar, "You are a God of seeing; truly here I have seen Him who looks after me.” (Genesis 16:13)

I wonder, though, what other ways we can practically apply this passage in specific circumstances in our day and age. It doesn't have to be limited to handing food to the homeless, or donating a few dollars to charity, but could be providing change to the person in front of you at a convenient store to pay for coffee who may be short. In a sense, this is sharing what little you have that can be liberally given to those in immediate need that aren't necessarily in desperate situations.

Whenever I am at the self-checkout at Walmart, I always see every now and then a chance to round-up my total to give a little to a charity organization. I think that, even in those circumstances, we should not withdraw our hand if the opportunity presents itself. Why not? God has made giving so much easier in our day and age that you can do it when you shop! Why not make a little impact for those who ask for help? Yeah, sometimes those organizations may not be honest about their use of our money, but God cares about the heart in it I believe.

What about you? Do you have an example? Or, do you have something to share about this text?

 

[Kettriken]

it is for the sojourner, for the fatherless, and for the widow; and you have remembered that you have been a servant in the land of Egypt; therefore I am commanding you to do this thing.”
– Deuteronomy 24:19-22 Literal Standard Version

If no one notices the forgotten and neglected, we should be the ones that sees, so that they may come to God with thankfulness, praying the ancient words of Hagar, "You are a God of seeing; truly here I have seen Him who looks after me.” (Genesis 16:13)

I love that. We can pray to the God of seeing. Lord, show us the ways that we can give gleanings to the needy in our lives.