Topical Bible: The Poor: Give to not Grudgingly

◄ The Poor: Give to not Grudgingly ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

The biblical mandate to care for the poor is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, emphasizing the importance of generosity and compassion. The Bible instructs believers to give to the poor willingly and without reluctance, reflecting God's own generosity and love.

Old Testament Foundations

The Old Testament lays a strong foundation for the care of the poor. In Deuteronomy 15:7-8 , the Israelites are commanded: "If there is a poor man among your brothers within any of the gates in the land that the LORD your God is giving you, you are not to harden your heart or shut your hand from your poor brother. Instead, you are to open your hand to him and freely loan him whatever he needs." This passage underscores the expectation of open-handed generosity, highlighting the importance of a willing heart.

Proverbs 19:17 further reinforces this principle: "Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender." Here, the act of giving to the poor is equated with lending to God Himself, promising divine reward for such generosity.

New Testament Teachings

The New Testament continues this theme, with Jesus and the apostles emphasizing the importance of giving without grudging. In Matthew 6:2-4 , Jesus instructs, "So when you give to the needy, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. Truly I tell you, they already have their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." This teaching highlights the importance of sincerity and humility in giving, focusing on the heart's intention rather than public recognition.

The Apostle Paul also addresses this issue in 2 Corinthians 9:7 : "Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver." This verse emphasizes the importance of giving willingly and joyfully, rather than out of obligation or reluctance.

Theological Implications

The call to give to the poor without grudging is deeply rooted in the character of God, who is described as compassionate and generous. Believers are called to imitate these attributes, reflecting God's love and mercy to those in need. The act of giving is not merely a duty but a privilege, allowing Christians to participate in God's work of justice and mercy.

Furthermore, the biblical teaching on giving to the poor challenges believers to examine their own hearts and attitudes towards wealth and possessions. It calls for a reorientation of priorities, placing the needs of others above personal gain and comfort. This selfless approach to giving is a testament to the transformative power of the Gospel, which calls individuals to live lives marked by love and generosity.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Deuteronomy 15:10
You shall surely give him, and your heart shall not be grieved when you give to him: because that for this thing the LORD your God shall bless you in all your works, and in all that you put your hand to.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Corinthians 9:7
Every man according as he purposes in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loves a cheerful giver.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

July 18 Evening
... This poor widow hath cast in more than they all."Whosoever shall give you ... man according
as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of ...
/.../anonymous/daily light on the daily path/july 18 evening.htm

Whether a Man is Bound to Give Thanks to Every Benefactor?
... Also the recipient of a favor may be a poor man, and ... Therefore favors are not always
to be repaid by gratitude ... written (1:Thess.5:18): "In all things give thanks ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether a man is bound 6.htm

Association
... and never prayed to God to give them a ... and his poor-rates to maintain God's poor,
all very ... sake"not of constraint, but willingly""not grudgingly, for God ...
/.../kingsley/twenty-five village sermons/sermon xx association.htm

Titus iii. 11-Aug
... would Paul have charged men to give "not grudgingly nor of necessity." (2 Corinthians
9:7.) What sayest thou, Paul? dost thou discourage giving to the poor? ...
/.../homily vi titus iii 11-aug.htm

2 Cor. Ix. 1
... you: but let us "scatter abroad," let us "give to the poor" as we ought to give.
For what is much and what little, God defines, not by the measure of what ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xix 2 cor ix.htm

A Liberal Church
... him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver." Acts
20:35; 2 Corinthians 9:6, 7. Nearly all the Macedonian believers were poor in ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 32 a liberal church.htm

Footnotes:
... according as he purposely in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of ... written,
He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor; his righteousness ...
//christianbookshelf.org/groves/christian devotedness/footnotes .htm

The Blessedness of Giving
... he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, nor of ... HOW THE LORD BLESSES
THOSE "WHO GIVE LIBERALLY TO ... A disciple of the Lord Jesus, poor in this ...
/.../various/the wonders of prayer/the blessedness of giving.htm

Death to Self is the Way Out into a Life of Sacrifice.
... Christ's poverty that we are rich""as poor" in their ... we not free it all gladly."It
is not grudgingly or of ... as if they gloried in their power to give as the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/trotter/parables of the cross/death to self is the.htm

There is a Definite Moment at which the Seed is Ripe...
... as he had purposed in his heart; not grudgingly, or of ... abroad, He hath given to the
poor; His righteousness ... everything unto all liberality, God can give us all ...
/.../trotter/parables of the christ-life/section 6 there is a.htm