Giving is Trusting

Recently I listened to a university professor teaching online on the Old Testament biblical law. Some of these laws are related to generosity – don’t harvest the corners of your fields, don’t strip your vines, if you drop a sheaf on the way to the barn or wagon, leave it. All these portions of the crops were to be left for the poor, widows, orphans, and strangers. These stipulations are followed by the phrase “I am the LORD (Yehovah) your God.”

“When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap your field right up to its edge, neither shall you gather the gleanings after your harvest. And you shall not strip your vineyard bare, neither shall you gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard. You shall leave them for the poor and for the sojourner: I am the LORD your God."
Leviticus 19:9-10 ESV

Why be generous

Why does He end these directives this way? I believe it is because He is really saying “trust Me.” If you are generous and leave some of your stuff for those less fortunate and provide them with the dignity of work – gleaning your fields and vineyards – I, Yehovah your God, will take care of you. Don’t worry that you are leaving perfectly good food that could feed you and your family, or be sold for money, behind. If you leave it for others and then if you run short, I will provide for you. Trust Me.

Be generous, give to others. Because when you do, He will take care of you. The Psalmist wrote “I have never seen the righteous forsaken nor their see begging bread.” A righteous person, one who follows the way God set out for us to live, will be a generous person.

It’s Always All About Love

It all goes back to the two greatest commandments – Love Yehovah your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself.

Trusting God is living righteously, living righteously is giving generously, generosity is “righteousity.”

Related Verses

Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the LORD, and He will repay him for his deed.
Proverbs 19:17 ESV

Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
Hebrews 13:16 ESV

Whoever gives to the poor will not want, but he who hides his eyes will get many a curse.
Proverbs 28:27 ESV

Postscript

I have said it before and will probably say it many more times – I am directing these posts to myself just as much if not more that to anyone who may read my posts. Do not think that I think I have all this figured out and am living this out perfectly. I am not. I am still learning and am sharing along the way.

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