Midweek October 19 2016

When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap to the very edges of your field, or gather the gleanings of your harvest; you shall leave them for the poor and for the alien: I am the Lord your God. (Leviticus 23:22)

This scripture is a prelude to the sermon this Sunday on the phrase: “God helps those who help themselves.” This scripture is a serious command. God is insisting that farmers intentionally leave part of their crop on their property unharvested. This portion was to be left for those who were not able to make ends meet or for strangers in the community. The command involves compassion and charity, but also the dignity of work: the poor could harvest a portion for themselves. It also recognizes that God is the ultimate source of wealth and property. God is making clear that leaving part of the field unharvested is a portion of God’s strategy to make sure people who are struggling have enough.

While fewer of us are farmers today, we can still reserve a portion of our income to assist those in need. That is what the financial tithe is about: reserving a portion of your income to further God’s Kingdom work.

Peace,

Cliff

CHURCH NEWS: