Deuteronomy 15:7-11
“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. Be careful not to harbor this wicked thought: “The seventh year, the year for canceling debts, is near,” so that you do not show ill will toward your needy brother and give him nothing. He may then appeal to the LORD against you, and you will be found guilty of sin. Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land.”
The existence of various ranks and orders among men is the necessary consequence of civilization. A perfect equality among them is impossible in the nature of things; nor, if it were made to exist, could it continue for any time. An inequality of condition is even far more conducive to the general good, not only in that it tends to keep up a due subordination of the lower to the higher classes, but that it binds all the classes of men together by the ties of mutual usefulness and dependence. Even in the state that was formed by God himself, it was ordained that such a diversity of ranks should exist “The poor shall never cease out of the land,” verse 11. Still, however, it never was the divine intention that some should be left destitute of all the comforts of life, while others rioted in opulence and prodigality. To prevent this he commanded his people to forgive the poor their debts at the year of release. He assigns as his reason for this ordinance. “to the end that there may be no poor among you,” verses 3, 4; and required all who should enjoy a comparative state of affluence, to relieve the poor and indigent.
In discoursing on the words before us, we shall consider,
I. The duty enjoined.
God commanded his people to exercise liberality to the poor.
He had appointed every seventh year to be a year of release, verses 1, 2. By this means the poor could not be oppressed for any length of time. But this very law might also tend to the disadvantage of the poor. To prevent any such evil consequence, God ordered that his people should be equally favorable to the poor notwithstanding the year of release. He enjoined the rich to lend to the poor, even under a moral certainty of losing their debt. Yes, they were to perform this duty in a bountiful and willing manner.
His injunctions to the Jews are, as far as it respects the spirit of them, equally binding upon us.
God requires us to “do good and lend, hoping for nothing again, Luke 6:35.” And certainly this is our duty. The relation which the poor bear to us necessarily involves in it this obligation. They are four times in the text called “our brethren.” The force of this idea is admirably expressed in Job 31:15-19, and it is further confirmed by the words of our Lord, Matthew 25:40. The Scriptures at large, as well as the immediate expressions in the text, inculcate this duty in the strongest terms, “You shall not harden your heart or your hand. You shall surely lend. You shall surely give. I command you saying. You shall open your hand wide,” etc. See this enjoined:
on all generally, Luke 11:41;
on all individually, 1 Corinthians 16:2;
and in the most solemn manner, 1 Timothy 6:17. “I charge you,” etc.
The manner also of performing this duty is as strongly enjoined as the duty itself. We must act bountifully towards the poor, proportioning our alms to our own ability, and, as far as possible, to their necessities “You shall open your hand wide. You shall lend him sufficient for his need.” See:
true bountifulness defined, 2 Corinthians 8:12;
true bountifulness exemplified, 2 Corinthians 8:2;
true bountifulness encouraged, 2 Corinthians 9:6.
We must also administer relief cheerfully. Grudging and niggardly thoughts are apt to arise in our minds; but they proceed from a “wicked heart;” and must be guarded against with all possible circumspection. “Beware that your eye be evil against your poor brother. Beware that your heart shall not be grieved when than give,” etc. See similar directions in Romans 12:8; 1 Timothy 6:18. “Ready to distribute; willing to give.” Our alms are then only acceptable to God, when they are offered with a willing heart, 2 Corinthians 9:7.
To call forth a just sense of our duty, let us consider,
II. The arguments with which it is enforced.
Waving all other arguments that might be adduced, we shall confine our attention to those specified in the text. There are two considerations urged as inducements to the performance of this duty:
1. The danger of neglecting this duty to the poor.
Men are apt to think themselves sole proprietors of what they have; but, in fact, they are only God’s stewards. The poor have, from God’s command, a claim upon us; and when their distresses are not relieved, he will hear their complaints. He expressly warns us that, “when they cry to him, it shall be sin to us.” Our guilt contracted by lack of liberality, shall surely be visited upon our own heads; it shall bring upon us the execration of our fellow-creatures, Proverbs 28:27, a dereliction from our God, Proverbs 21:13, yes, an everlasting dismissal from his presence and glory, Matthew 25:41-43. Who that reflects a moment on these consequences, will not “beware” of indulging a disposition that must infallibly entail them upon him?
2. The reward of practicing this duty to the poor.
Heaven cannot be purchased by almsgiving; and to think it could, would be a most fatal delusion. Nevertheless God has annexed a blessing to the performance of this duty, “For this thing the Lord your God shall bless you in all that you do.” Supposing our motives and principles be such as the Gospel requires, and our alms be really the fruits of faith and love—the Scriptures assure us that they shall be followed with:
Temporal blessings, Luke 6:35, and Proverbs 3:9-10.
Spiritual blessings, Isaiah 58:7; Isaiah 58:10-11.
Eternal blessings, Luke 16:9; Luke 14:14; 1 Timothy 6:19; Matthew 25:34-35.
Yes, God, speaking after the manner of men, condescends to say, that we make him our debtor; and to promise, that He will repay us the full amount of whatever we give to others for his sake, Proverbs 19:17 and 2 Corinthians 9:6. What greater encouragement can we have than such assurances as these?
APPLICATION.
The occasion on which we now solicit your alms, is urgent; the objects of distress are many. The season is inclement. Work is scarce. Needs are numerous. There are few to administer relief.
Consider then:
The urgency of the call.
The danger of non-compliance.
The blessings promised.
And especially, the great account to be given.
Guard against a grudging spirit; and act towards the poor at this time, as you, in a change of circumstances, would think it right for them to act towards you.
Charles Simeon (1759-1836)