The Generous Heart: Opening Your Hands to Those in Need
"7 If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother: 8 But thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth." - Deuteronomy 15:7-8
In the heart of the Mosaic Law, we find a profound command in Deuteronomy 15: 7-8, where the Lord provides counsel on how to treat our brothers and sisters, particularly those who are less fortunate. The passage reads, "If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother: But thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth."
These words remind us of God’s unyielding compassion and the call for His people to reflect that compassion in their lives. The instruction begins by emphasizing the presence of need among us – our poor brethren do not exist in a vacuum but are embedded in our communities. Jesus frequently highlighted the importance of community, often positioning Himself among the marginalized. Similarly, Moses reiterates that our response to those in need is a central tenet of living righteously.
First, we are urged not to harden our hearts. A hardened heart is one that has grown callous, indifferent to the struggles of others. It often stems from fear, discomfort, or a mistaken belief that the poor are to be marginalized or blamed. In our society today, we often encounter similar attitudes. When faced with the reality of poverty, we might feel overwhelmed and choose apathy as an escape. But God’s word calls us not to close ourselves off. To harden our hearts is to miss an essential aspect of our human connection – empathy. We must recognize that every individual is deserving of dignity and compassion. Each person's story deserves to be heard, and each cry for help invites us into the divine mandate of love.
The passage then issues a bold directive – to open our hands wide. This action of opening one’s hand communicates generosity and readiness to give. It is a physical representation of our willingness to share what we have with those who lack. To "open thine hand wide" signifies not just giving but a posture of abundance. Too often, we approach generosity with limitations; we feel we must offer just enough to get by. God invites us to break free from this scarcity mindset and challenge us to trust Him for His provision.
When we lend to those in need, may we do so with the understanding that we are participating in God’s economy of grace. The Bible encourages us to lend not expecting to be repaid (Luke 6:34). This reflects a heart that desires to serve rather than seek reward. The act of lending here is not merely financial; it also speaks to sharing resources, time, love, and encouragement. All of these elements are crucial in addressing the needs of others, resonating with God’s heart as revealed through Jesus’ ministry.
As we reflect on this scripture, let us consider the implications of open hands. In our current context, who are the "poor" among us? They may take many forms: the financially disadvantaged, emotionally drained, or spiritually impoverished individuals within our communities. It is easy to write a check or donate goods, but the deeper challenge lies in offering ourselves wholeheartedly.
In practical terms, we can open our hands by volunteering our time, offering our expertise, or simply being present for someone who is struggling. These actions reflect God’s love in action. They shine brightly in the darkness of despair and can spark hope in those who feel forgotten.
Let us take to heart the words of Moses and align our lives with the call to generosity, compassion, and active love. In doing so, we not only fulfill the law but also draw nearer to the heart of God. Every act of kindness and every open hand is a testament to the transformative power of His love flowing through us into the world.
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Deuteronomy 15:7-8 Artwork
Deuteronomy 15:7-8 - "If there is a poor man among your brothers in any of the towns of the land that the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother. Rather be openhanded and freely lend him whatever he needs."
"If there is a poor man among your brothers in any of the towns of the land that the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother. Rather be openhanded and freely lend him whatever he needs." - Deuteronomy 15:7-8
Deuteronomy 15:8 - "But thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth."
Deuteronomy 8:7 - "For the LORD thy God bringeth thee into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills;"
Deuteronomy 8:15 - "Who led thee through that great and terrible wilderness, wherein were fiery serpents, and scorpions, and drought, where there was no water; who brought thee forth water out of the rock of flint;"
Deuteronomy 7:15 - "And the LORD will take away from thee all sickness, and will put none of the evil diseases of Egypt, which thou knowest, upon thee; but will lay them upon all them that hate thee."
Deuteronomy 15:7 - "¶ If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother:"
deuteronomy 31 8
Deuteronomy 31:8
Deuteronomy 3:15 - "And I gave Gilead unto Machir."
Deuteronomy 8:8 - "A land of wheat, and barley, and vines, and fig trees, and pomegranates; a land of oil olive, and honey;"
Deuteronomy 7:8 - "But because the LORD loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the LORD brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt."
John 15:7-8 - "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples."
Deuteronomy 15:1 - "At the end of every seven years thou shalt make a release."
Deuteronomy 14:15 - "And the owl, and the night hawk, and the cuckow, and the hawk after his kind,"
Deuteronomy 33:15 - "And for the chief things of the ancient mountains, and for the precious things of the lasting hills,"
"For the LORD thy God bringeth thee into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills;" - Deuteronomy 8:7
"But thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth." - Deuteronomy 15:8
Deuteronomy 15:15 - "And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in the land of Egypt, and the LORD thy God redeemed thee: therefore I command thee this thing to day."
Deuteronomy 31:15 - "And the LORD appeared in the tabernacle in a pillar of a cloud: and the pillar of the cloud stood over the door of the tabernacle."
Deuteronomy 11:15 - "And I will send grass in thy fields for thy cattle, that thou mayest eat and be full."
Deuteronomy 30:15 - "¶ See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil;"
Deuteronomy 3:7 - "But all the cattle, and the spoil of the cities, we took for a prey to ourselves."
John 15:7
Deuteronomy 23:8 - "The children that are begotten of them shall enter into the congregation of the LORD in their third generation."
John 15:7
Deuteronomy 5:7 - "Thou shalt have none other gods before me."
Deuteronomy 15:23 - "Only thou shalt not eat the blood thereof; thou shalt pour it upon the ground as water."
"And I gave Gilead unto Machir." - Deuteronomy 3:15
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