READING:
One-year plan: Deuteronomy 12-15
Two-year plan: Job 30-31, Acts 24:22-25:12
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God has been really good to me. I have an incredible wife who stands beside me in all my ministry. I’m blessed with the privilege of working for two great Christian organizations. My wife and I have a home, two cars, and a savings account. We’re truly blessed. In fact, we’re so blessed that we could easily give more to help the poor.
That’s why today’s scripture reading makes me uncomfortable. God required the Hebrews to take care of the poor among them, and His Word was clear. The people must not be “hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother” (Deut 15:7). Instead, they were to open their hands, “freely loan him enough for whatever need he has” (Deut 15:8), and do so without a “stingy heart” (Deut 15:10). Their love and support for their brothers and sisters were to compel them to keep God’s Word and give willingly to others.
The New Testament also assumes believers will assist the poor (Matt. 25:31-46, 1 John 3:17). Apparently, something about the love that binds believers together as brothers and sisters in Christ also requires us to meet the needs of the poor among us. God has blessed us so that we might give to others, not to hoard our “stuff” for ourselves.
PERSONAL REFLECTION: Do you share my burden to do more for the poor?
DAILY PRAYER: “God, I commit to doing something with Your Word this day.”
TOMORROW’S READINGS:
One-year plan: Deuteronomy 16-21
Two-year plan: Job 32, Acts 25:13-22
MEMORIZATION VERSE (March 1-15):
“He is your glory and He is your God, who has done these great and awesome things for you which your eyes have seen.” (Deut 10:21)
*first published in 2019
