When you are harvesting in your field and you overlook a sheaf, do not go back to get it. Leave it for the alien, the fatherless and the widow, so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. When you beat the olives from your trees, do not go over the branches a second time. Leave what remains for the alien, the fatherless and the widow. When you harvest the grapes in your vineyard, do not go over the vines again. Leave what remains for the alien, the fatherless and the widow. -Deut. 24:19-21 NIV
Being generous is more than giving, it implies leaving as well; leaving enough from what we harvest so that those less fortunate have something for themselves. Notice that leaving a remnant behind does not rob the poor of their dignity. These scriptures imply that the poor and less fortunate are still able bodied and ambitious enough to harvest the remains from the fields, trees, and vines that were left behind in the harvest. Scripture does not say, go through the fields and harvest what was left behind to give to the poor so that you will show your generosity and make them ashamed of their situation. It says, let them take the initiative to take care of themselves so they will be able to retain their pride.
These scriptures imply anonymous giving where the giver never knows the recipient of the gift and as a result is not able to lord themselves over the more unfortunate. Wouldn't it be wonderful if all of our giving were so generous and free?
No comments:
Post a Comment