Deuteronomy:15
❇️ Do not be hard hearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother(v7)
Rather be openhanded and freely lend him whatever he needs (v8)

❇️ In God’s economy giving to the poor and needy is the wise, right and just investment which gives high returns on investment (ROI) since God will bless those who give generously to the needy without a grudging heart (v10)

❇️ Being tightfisted is a sign of hard heartedness and sign of selfishness indicating lack of love for a fellow human being.

❇️ When we are tightfisted not to give to the needy and poor we also disqualify us from receiving from God. Whereas when we are openhanded to give to the needy and poor we qualify ourselves to receive from God as Pr.11: 25 says ” he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed”

❇️ Pr.19:17 says” He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord.” This could be an encouraging and a very valid reason to be kind to the needy and poor.

❇️ When we put a smile on a poor person’s face by being generous we are touching the heart of God since God is concerned about the poor.

❇️ There is yet another reason for us not to be tightfisted towards the poor and needy as given in Pr.11.24, ” one man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.”

❇️ Lk.6:38 says, ” Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into yours lap.For the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

❇️ If we are tightfisted and stingy despite all the above encouraging words given in the Bible it only shows our wrong mindset that we are are the owners of our financial resources. Instead if we think of us as Stewards of our financial resources we will partner with God to put a smile on needy and poor people’s face.

❇️ We are all blessed to be a blessing.

✅ Insights learnt:
▪️In God’s economy giving to poor and needy is right and just investment which gives high ROI
▪️He who refreshes others will himself be refreshed
▪️He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord
▪️We are all stewards and not owners of all what we have

Dr.E.Christadoss
Vellore 🙏🏽