Helping the Poor

“When you harvest the crops of your land, do not harvest the grain along the edges of your fields, and do not pick up what the harvesters drop. It is the same with your grape crop—do not strip every last bunch of grapes from the vines, and do not pick up the grapes that fall to the ground. Leave them for the poor and the foreigners living among you. I am the Lord your God." Leviticus 19:9-10 NLT

It becomes clear in the law of God that He cares for the poor and the stranger and He would have His people do the same. The first-fruits of one's harvest was to be given to God in recognition of His provision (Ex. 22:29; Prov. 3:9). The edges of the fields and the grain dropped by the harvesters was to be left for the poor to pick up. In this way God was honored and the poor were helped.

As stewards of our resources we know well the call to give the first-fruits (tithe) to God. But do we leave the "edges of our fields" for the poor? God would have us share His concern for people in need and to show it by planning to leave some of our resources to help them. Do you have a plan to honor God and help the poor with your resources?

Father, I thank You for Your care for the down and out and the lonely and forgotten. Help me to share Your heart and become a vessel through which You can show Your concern.

I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark