How can we "freely open your hand" to those in need today? Setting the Scene “Instead, you are to open your hand to him and freely loan him whatever he needs.” (Deuteronomy 15:8) Moses addresses Israel just before they enter the land. Every seventh year canceled debts (vv. 1–2), so lenders might fear losing money if the sabbatical year was near. God counters that fear with a direct command: open your hand, trust Him, meet the need. What It Means to “Open Your Hand” • Release tight-fisted control of money or possessions • Act immediately—“open,” not “promise to think about it” • Offer enough to cover “whatever he needs,” not bare minimums • Treat help as a loan or gift without grudging expectations of return • Trust God to replenish what goes out (v. 10) Why This Matters Today • Needs haven’t vanished—poverty, job loss, medical bills, disasters • The sabbatical principle reveals God’s heart, not just an ancient policy • Jesus repeats the idea: “Give to the one who asks you” (Matthew 5:42) • The Church mirrors Christ’s generosity to a watching world (John 13:35) Practical Ways to Open Your Hand Today • Budget generosity first—set aside a “ready fund” for spontaneous needs • Stock a pantry or gift cards for quick relief (groceries, gas, diapers) • Support trusted local ministries: shelters, crisis-pregnancy centers, food banks • Pay a utility bill anonymously for a struggling neighbor • Offer interest-free personal loans, then forgive if repayment truly fails • Share skills: free tutoring, car repairs, résumé help, child-care • Keep cash or hygiene kits in your car for encounters with the homeless • Sponsor an orphan or missionary; increase support when extra income arrives • Practice hospitality—meals, spare room, laundry access • Give blood, volunteer time, donate gently used items in excellent condition Guardrails for Generous Living • Pray for discernment; meet genuine need, not addiction (Proverbs 3:27) • Maintain integrity—no enabling of sin, yet remain gracious (Galatians 6:1–2) • Involve family: teach children to participate, not just observe • Stay humble; the needy are “brothers” (Deuteronomy 15:7), not projects • Remember balance: supply “our daily bread,” not lifestyles beyond means Promises Attached to Generosity • “Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender.” (Proverbs 19:17) • “Give, and it will be given to you… For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.” (Luke 6:38) • “The generous man will prosper, and he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.” (Proverbs 11:25) Encouragement from Other Scriptures • 1 John 3:17 — withholding help contradicts God’s love • James 2:15-16 — faith proves itself by providing for physical needs • Acts 4:34-35 — early believers sold property so “there were no needy among them” • 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 — cheerful giving invites abundant grace Closing Thoughts Opening our hand is less about bank accounts and more about letting God’s compassion flow through everyday choices. Needs cross our path by divine appointment; when we respond, we become living proof that the God who once cared for Israel still cares for people today—through us. |
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