Deuteronomy 15:7 “If anyone is poor among your fellow Israelites in any of the towns of the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward them.” (NIV)

Deuteronomy 15:11 “There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land.” (NIV)

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Poverty comes in a couple of different varieties. There are those who are impoverished through no fault of their own. There are also those who are impoverished through their own many faults. 

There are also those who live with poverty mindsets who are richer than the kings of old. These people fear losing what they have and becoming destitute. Mike Foster’s excellent book, The 7 Primal Questions, explains this fear as the question Am I secure? It sits between two other questions: Am I safe? And, Am I loved? 

It’s not hard to see the connection of these three questions and why the question of security is so powerful in some people’s lives. 

What’s your financial status? How secure is your financial future? What are you doing today to provide for yourself and others and to live generously? How are you helping truly impoverished people with help that really helps?

Hard hearts and tight fists do not reflect the kind heart and generous hands of God, do they?

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I will live kindheartedly and generously toward those I can help with help that really helps.

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Our Father, you love everybody, including those who have impoverished themselves through regretful behavior. You love those who are impoverished through no fault of their own. You love it when we reflect your nature and character, and when we extend your grace and mercy to those we can truly help. Teach us how to serve those who require our open hands and kind hearts. Amen.