Opening Hearts and Hands to Help the Poor (March 7, 2024) 

“If there is among you a poor man of your brethren, within any of the gates in your land which the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart nor shut your hand from your poor brother, but you shall open your hand wide to him and willingly lend him sufficient for his need, whatever he needs.” (Deuteronomy 15:7-8)

As I do volunteer work for the local food bank and other organizations and interact with people in our county, I have become keenly aware of the great human needs that exist in our community. Everywhere you turn, it seems, often neglected people are experiencing personal deprivation, hardship, and trials of all sorts. It is heartbreaking to see first-hand the many problems facing some of the most unfortunate citizens of the county who are struggling with serious health issues, insufficient medical care, personal loneliness, unsafe and inadequate housing, unreliable transportation, and sometimes, perhaps worst of all, a lack of support from their families who, sadly, shirk their duty and responsibility to care for their own, especially their elderly and infirm.

“He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord, and He will pay back what he has given.” (Proverbs 19:17)

Many caring people donate their time and personal resources to support the wonderful work of the community service agencies that we are blessed to have in our county. However, the needs are so incredibly great that heightened involvement of caring people throughout the community is needed. To use an old cliché often associated with educating our school students, truly “it takes a village” to adequately address the needs of the poor and underprivileged citizens who are suffering at every turn. As the earthly hands of our LORD Jesus Christ, we should look around us to identify unmet human needs, pray for the needy, and become involved in efforts to alleviate human suffering among our neighbors. God has promised to richly bless our generosity and our Christlike humility when we open our hearts and hands to help the poor!

“You shall surely give to him, and your heart should not be grieved when you give to him, because for this thing the Lord your God will bless you in all your works and in all to which you put your hand.  For the poor will never cease from the land; therefore I command you, saying, ‘You shall open your hand wide to your brother, to your poor and your needy, in your land.’” (Deuteronomy 15:10-11)