What does "leave them for the poor and for the foreigner" teach us?

Text Focus

“Leave them for the poor and for the foreigner. I am the LORD your God.” (Leviticus 19:10)

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Setting within Leviticus 19

• Chapter 19 lays out specific, tangible expressions of holiness in everyday life.

• Verses 9–10 address harvest practices: Israelite farmers are commanded to stop short of maximizing profit so that vulnerable people can glean grain and grapes.

• The instruction is framed with God’s covenant name—“I am the LORD”—underscoring His authority and character behind the command.

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Key Observations

• Literal command: do not harvest field corners or pick up fallen produce.

• Intended beneficiaries: “the poor” (economically disadvantaged) and “the foreigner” (resident alien with no land inheritance).

• Divine motive clause: obedience is an acknowledgment of God’s ownership of the land (Leviticus 25:23).

• Blessing implied: elsewhere God promises favor for those who remember the needy (Deuteronomy 24:19; Proverbs 19:17).

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Timeless Principles

1. God‐given resources are held in trust, not absolute ownership.

2. Provision for the needy must be built into normal economic activity, not left to afterthoughts.

3. Work and dignity: gleaning required effort from the poor, preserving self‐respect while meeting needs.

4. Compassion extends beyond ethnic or social boundaries—Israel had been foreigners in Egypt (Exodus 23:9).

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New Testament Echoes

• Jesus assumes ongoing gleaning practice in His day (Matthew 12:1).

• He commends generosity without fanfare (Matthew 6:3–4) and warns against hoarding (Luke 12:16–21).

• Believers are to “share with the saints who are in need” and “practice hospitality” (Romans 12:13).

• James links genuine faith to practical care: “If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking daily food… what good is that?” (James 2:15–17).

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Practical Takeaways Today

• Budget margin: plan giving before spending, mirroring unharvested edges.

• Business ethics: structure policies that bless employees, customers, and local communities, not merely shareholders.

• Personal stewardship: treat possessions as tools for ministry; hold them with open hands.

• Welcome outsiders: actively look for ways to serve immigrants, refugees, and anyone without a support network.

• Cultivate generosity as worship: giving joyfully reflects confidence in God’s ongoing provision.

“I am the LORD your God” remains the anchor—His character compels and empowers His people to live openhandedly.