Caring For Those In Need

[WalterandDebbie]

Saturday 12-11-21 Tevet 6, 5782 7th. day of the weekly cycle, 81st. Fall Day

Caring for Those in Need

Read: Deuteronomy 15:7–11 | Bible in a Year: Hosea 5–8; Revelation 2
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I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land. Deuteronomy 15:11

Elvis Summers answered the door to find Smokey, a frail woman who stopped by regularly to ask for empty cans to return for cash. This money was her primary source of income. Elvis got an idea. “Could you show me where you sleep?” he asked. Smokey led him to a narrow patch of dirt about two feet wide next to a house.

Moved by compassion, Summers built her a “tiny house”—a simple shelter that provided space for her to sleep safely. Summers ran with the idea. He started a GoFundMe page and teamed with local churches to provide land to build more shelters for others who were homeless.

Throughout the Bible, God’s people are reminded to care for those in need. When God spoke through Moses to prepare the Israelites to enter the promised land, He encouraged them to “be openhanded and freely lend [to the poor] whatever they need” (Deuteronomy 15:8).

This passage also noted that “there will always be poor people in the land” (v. 11). We don’t have to go far to see this is true. As God compassionately called the Israelites “to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites” (v. 11), we too can find ways to help those in need.

Everyone needs food, shelter, and water. Even if we don’t have much, may God guide us to use what we do have to help others. Whether it’s sharing a sandwich or a warm winter coat, small things can make a big difference!

Who do you know or have seen that may be in need of help today? What can you do to help?

Jesus, help me to find ways I can help those around me. Please give me a generous heart.

INSIGHT
Before the Israelites crossed to the promised land, God gave them some final commands, one of which addressed how to treat the poor. This involved forgiving debts of fellow Israelites every seven years (Deuteronomy 15:1) to prevent any of them from becoming poor (v. 4).

It’s even noted that no one would be poor in the land if they faithfully obeyed God and all His commands (vv. 4–5). However, God knew that this mandate could cause bitterness to sprout if an Israelite asked for a loan when those seven years were coming to an end, for the lender would be wary knowing he would likely have a larger amount of debt to forgive.

So God warned them that harboring resentment would cause them to be guilty of sin (v. 9), but He also reassured them that they’d be blessed if they gave generously (vv. 6, 10).

Visit ChristianUniversity.org/ML101 to learn more about a biblical perspective of money.

By Julie Schwab|December 11th, 2021

Our Daily Bread (odb.org)

https://odb.org/video

LOL, Walter and Debbie

 

[dev553344]

Great lesson for Christmas time. What an encouraging story of the homeless woman. I see the needs of the homeless around me and have helped a little but not as much as the story pointed out. They need our help. Some are dangerous and mentally ill and some are addicts so we must be careful in helping them. But there are usually churches around that we can donate to that help them in a more safe environment. Cheers- Devin553344

 

[JohnPaul]

I always donate to those in need, and when I see someone on the street with his hand out, I give.

 

[WalterandDebbie]

Great lesson for Christmas time. What an encouraging story of the homeless woman. I see the needs of the homeless around me and have helped a little but not as much as the story pointed out. They need our help. Some are dangerous and mentally ill and some are addicts so we must be careful in helping them. But there are usually churches around that we can donate to that help them in a more safe environment. Cheers- Devin553344

Amen! Love For Others, I personally think giving is of GOD's character, once you give from the heart to another, especially to the homeless, seems to me that it opens up other avenues from GOD where needed.

Love, Walter and Debbie

 

[dev553344]

Amen! Love For Others, I personally think giving is of GOD's character, once you give from the heart to another, especially to the homeless, seems to me that it opens up other avenues from GOD where needed.

Love, Walter and Debbie

I also think being a parent and giving to the poor in good will helps us to understand God a little.

 

[Pathfinder7]

I used to get..'burgers & pizza' for the homeless.
- Sometimes..cash.
---
I found out..there were several stories.
- Why they became the homeless.
I met a homeless (in a wheelchair)..who lost everything.
- Because of..the legal process & family issues.

 

[dev553344]

I used to get..'burgers & pizza' for the homeless.
- Sometimes..cash.
---
I found out..there were several stories.
- Why they became the homeless.
I met a homeless (in a wheelchair)..who lost everything.
- Because of..the legal process & family issues.

That breaks my heart to hear that. I once brought Christmas dinner to the homeless on Christmas day with my then family. It was spirit filled and I got a lot out of it.

Many of the homeless around me are insane and openly talk to themselves or whatever delusion is talking to them. They are in need of medication and a healthy way to re-enter society. And while I can't provide that sometimes I help out in little ways that I can. I have little to give though.

They do have ways for them to get back into society. So I pray they find it. But it requires state help. And they get caught up in the homeless life and miss out. That and they're so busy with the hallucination voices that they can't concentrate enough to get help for themselves