READ: Deuteronomy 24 (Focus vs. 17-22)
MEMORY VERSE
“When you are harvesting in your field and you overlook a sheaf, do not go back to get it. Leave it for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow.” Deuteronomy 24:19
BACKGROUND
A few years ago, our church hosted refugees fleeing their country because of a change in their political leadership. Entire families came with only what they could fit in a small bag. Several of our church families opened their homes, some with little room to spare.
Such gracious hospitality echoes God’s command to the Israelites before they inhabited the promised land. As an agricultural society, they understood the importance of the harvest. Every bit of food would be essential to get them through until next year’s harvest.
God told the Israelites when harvesting not to go back to retrieve what they may have missed. “Leave it for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow” (Deuteronomy 24:19).
They were to practice generosity not by giving when they knew they had enough but by giving out of a heart of trusting in God’s provision “so that the Lord [their] God may bless [them] in all the work of their hands” (v. 19). God always has enough.
The practice of hospitality also reminded them that they had been “slaves in Egypt” (v. 22). While we may not have experienced such oppression, we’ve all experienced being an outsider or being in need.
As we give to others, we do well to remember our most basic need: freedom from our sin. “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
Matt Lucas
INSIGHT
Deuteronomy 24 describes the act of gleaning, which served as one means for the Israelites to care for the marginalized and poor. The Scriptures record some instances of this practice (the story of Ruth being a prime example), but their failure in this area was commonplace.
The prophets charged the Israelites with not being hospitable and oppressing the poor. Ultimately, it was part of the reason God sent them into exile (see Isaiah 1:17; Amos 4:1-3; Zechariah 7:9-10; Malachi 3:5).
Today, He still desires that we practice hospitality by serving those in need. As the Spirit helps us, we can look for ways to be generous to others and celebrate the generosity of God.
Matt Lucas
APPLICATION
What needy person or group has God drawn your attention to? What might you give to them?
PR’s (Pastor Richard) RE-EMPHASIS (From Today’s Post)
“…we can look for ways to be generous to others and (in doing so) celebrate the generosity of God.
PR’s TAKE
“Giving (Generosity) is not just about making a donation. It’s about making a difference.” Betsy Farrell
“Everyone can experience the joy and blessing of generosity; because everyone has something to give.” Jan Grace
PRAYER
“Dear Father, please open my eyes to those in need.”
TODAY’S HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“YOU CAN’T BEAT GOD’S GIVING” Billy Preston
You can’t beat God’s giving, no matter how you try
And just as sure as you are living
And the Lord is in heaven on high
The more you give, the more He give to you
But keep on giving because it’s really true
That you can’t beat God’s giving, no matter how you try
Should we receive and never give
The Savior died that we might live
His life on Calvary, He gladly gave
Our sinful souls to save
He gives me health, He keeps me strong
He guides me when I would go wrong
He gives me everything that I need
My ever hunger feeds
He gave me peace, He made me whole
And when in sin He saved my soul
And what I gave would never be compared
With the blessing that I share
You can’t beat God’s giving, no matter how you try
And just as sure as you are living
And the Lord is in heaven on high
The more you give, the more He give to you
But keep on giving because it’s really true
That you can’t beat God’s giving, no matter how you try
