“When you reap your harvest in your field and forget a sheaf in the field, you shall not go back to get it. It shall be for the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow, that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. When you beat your olive trees, you shall not go over them again. It shall be for the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow. When you gather the grapes of your vineyard, you shall not strip it afterward. It shall be for the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow. You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt; therefore I command you to do this.” (v19-22)
One of God’s primary roles is that of provider. He provides all that we have – food, clothing, shelter, family, gifts, abilities, resources, etc. Though every person receives a different combination and level of provision, God provides all of these things (He is the Creator who has created all of these things after all).
God commands us to be generous with the resources with which He has blessed us. If He blesses us with a “field of harvest” (whatever that looks like for you – most of us “harvest money”, though some receive goods for their labor) He expects us to allow a portion of that provision to go to others. This is a similar concept to tithing – just as God asks us to set aside a portion of our resources for God’s work (buildling His kingdom), He too asks us to set aside a portion of those resources for others (people who are not necessarily within the church [ie. sojourners / outsiders]).
You might be thinking (as I have) that God should be providing for the needs of those who are “less fortunate”. Why doesn’t He provide food, clothing and shelter for everyone? Well, I believe that He provides more than enough for everyone in this world. I think the problem is, those who have been blessed with abundant money and material goods in this world, are supposed to share their excess with those who don’t have enough, and they don’t always do that.
In the early church the believers got it right: “And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.” (Ac 2:44-45) If everyone with excess shared with those who lacked enough, none would have need.
This is not intended to be a guilt trip on anyone, nor am I assuming that we don’t already give a portion of what we have to those in need. This is meant to be an encouragement and challenge: if we are currently giving to those in need, fantastic, this is in alignment with scripture and God’s will and He may be asking us to give more; if we are not currently giving in this way, take heart, God will provide enough for you and some extra to share with those who have less; if you are in the situation of not having enough, take heart, God wants to bless you through someone else who has enough to share.
Father God, Lord of abundance and generosity, we praise You for fulfilling Your role of bountiful provider. Father we ask for soft and sensitive hearts. Please help us listen to the Spirit’s promptings and give generously to those in need, as You direct. Father please help us to take heart if we are in need – You will meet our needs, You have promised and You always keep Your promises. Jesus, You never had much in this world according to worldly standards, but You always gave generously of Yourself. Thank you for setting that example as well, so if we don’t have extra resources to share we can still give of ourselves to those in need. In Your holy and precious name we ask You to transform our heart to be in alignment with Yours. Amen.
One final note on this – God calls His people to share from their abundance. He doesn’t necessarily call the non-believers to do this. It isn’t our place to hold non-believers to the command of sharing out of their excess. It’s not fair to hold them accountable to God’s commands when they have not chosen to follow God. We can gently, with the Spirit’s leading and guidance, hold those within the church accountable to God’s commands – I emphasize that this must be done under the Spirit’s guidance, however, not under a world-led social justice warrior agenda.
~ Conqueror in Training