Deuteronomy 15:7–11

Bible Studies for Life
Assistant to the President for Church Relations, Samford University

READY TO HELP THE POOR

Deuteronomy 15:7–11

The book of Deuteronomy is an important book in the Old Testament Canon. This is evident when you read the New Testament. There are more than 100 references to the book in the New Testament and Jesus quoted from it more than any other Old Testament work. Its importance is seen in the setting of its words. 

As Moses nears the end of his life he emphasizes the historical nature of Israel’s relationship with God to the second generation of wilderness sojourners. As they prepare to enter the Promised Land, Moses reminds them of the importance of the laws and the results of disobedience. In chapter 15, Moses speaks of the specific laws that deal with some of the unique agricultural needs, specific sacrificial laws and relational truths Yahweh wanted His people to grasp. 

Don’t be hardhearted or tightfisted. (7)  

In God’s law there are many references to taking care of those in need. The Jews were required to take care of the poor, orphans, widows and strangers among them (Ex. 22:22–23; Lev. 19:34). This is unique among other ancient laws that generally favored the wealthy. 

According to Exodus 15:4 there would be no poor among the Jews if they would take care of their poor neighbors. There are two direct commands given: to be openhearted and to be openhanded. This is the opposite of being hardhearted and tightfisted toward the brothers around you who are suffering. It was a characteristic of the early Church in Acts that their generosity toward one another brought godly unity and contentment within the Church (Acts 4:32). 

Could the same be said of the Church today? Simply put, any church that doesn’t have a generous heart toward the needy will not reflect the One who died for it. As the Israelites settled in their designated areas of the Promised Land there would be those who needed a loan or help from the ones who could afford it. How a society treats its poor says much about the heart of that society. Christians are called to be generous (openhearted and openhanded). 

Share freely when you see a need. (8–9) 

These verses refer to the “year of release,” also known as the “sabbatical year.” During this year all creditors give up their rights in respect to loans that were still outstanding. The primary purpose of this law was to help alleviate poverty in Israel. Therefore the temptation for the Israelites would be to not lend help to a needy person because of the upcoming year of release. To make such a loan just before the year of release would essentially be a free gift to the needy without any hope of reimbursement. 

The needs of the poor are not seasonal — they are constant. Verse 9 is a strong warning to the Israelites and also gives great insight into the heart of God toward the needy. The point is strong — to ignore or put aside the needs of the poor is to grieve the heart of God. Christians ought to have giving hearts toward those in poverty. 

It often is believed that the poor person is lazy or has made bad choices to bring them to this point. There are times this is true but many are in impoverished situations because of the choices of others. Regardless of how the person got to this position the Christian is called to assist him or her. 

God blesses us and our giving. (10–11) 

Verse 10 speaks of the “heart” of giving to the poor. We are called not only to help the poor, but to do it with the right attitude. God will not bless those who give to the poor in a grudging manner. God knows the poor will always be with us, but if Christians will do the Lord’s will in assisting those in need fewer children will go to bed hungry. The idea of giving is not restricted to financial assistance — we also are called to give our time and talents to reverse systemic poverty.