Loving the Poor and Needy--Deuteronomy 24 (SLC 2012)

In the Bible, there is generous justice. There are laws in the bible that protect those who are powerless. These insist on treating people with respect. Men are asked to love their wives and bring them happiness. It is good to lend to the poor, not to be greedy or make a profit from lending to the poor. Don't take their mill stone away so that the poor will return the money quickly, instead think of the welfare of the poor because they might not be able to eat. Don't demean the person who need help, treat them with honour and respect. Avoid doing things that will make them lose their dignity because they are important people.

The bible is practical. Giving a cloak is a sign of sincerity that they will keep their pledge because the person is willing to go cold until the money is returned. Therefore the lender should return the borrower their cloak. Don't pervert justice, we are reminded.

In this book, the Jews were asked to remember they are redeemed people 28 times. As Christians our redemption is even more spectacular than that of the Jews, so we should be joyously grateful. So when we help others it is not out of duty or that we are big shots doing others a favour, but as an overflow of joy. Our past is part of our identity; people who are liberated from poverty may want to distance themselves from their past. Instead, we are reminded of the past. If we never forget that we have been redeemed, we will care for the needy.

The bible encourages those who can work, to work-- but people get an identity, not from work but by becoming a child of God. We need to teach the important concept of adoption and being incorporated into the family of God. A necessarily part of growth is anger after people become Christians because before they became Christians they accepted their impoverish status unquestioned. Living simply allows us to make the poor feel welcome. The importance of being open about money with the poor so that they feel open as well, Fellowship (Koinonia) in the bible refers to business. Give the poor a daily wage so that they do not have to borrow until the next pay check.

One of the key part of a biblical lifestyle is civility: the importance of thinking about their neighbour. The farmers is to leave food for the poor in the fields and people are asked not to take too much. God has a special concern for the poor. Listen to the whole message here