As we’ve been exploring in previous days, these verses in Deuteronomy 15 again teach us that the Ten Commandments are instructions for wisdom that will bring life to ourselves and others. We are commanded in Exodus not to steal, and on the flip side, we receive many instructions throughout the rest of Scripture to live generously, as God Himself is generous to us.
Deuteronomy 15:4 tells us there need be no poor people in Israel. This is not because everyone had equal wealth. Rather, there was unequal wealth in Israel, just as in the church today, but God had given His people enough collective resources to meet each other’s needs. God used His people to provide so none should feel the need to steal. The same is true in the New Testament and the church body today (Acts 2:42-45, 1 John 3:16-18).
Giving not only blesses the recipient, but the act is an opportunity to free strongholds in the giver’s heart. An unclenching of control and fear that the Lord’s provision won’t be enough.
Each time I commit to a new act of generosity, I am forced to ask myself questions such as “do I really believe you own it all, God?” and “do I really believe my daily provision comes from you, Lord, and not my own strength?” Essentially, am I fully obeying the Lord and being careful to follow His commandments as Deuteronomy 15:5 states? This proves time and time again to be a direct window into what I’m believing or failing to believe about God and His character at any given time. It’s not about how much I’m giving, but my heart posture when doing so.
When I do step into an opportunity for giving that the Spirit has prompted within me, I experience the truth that generosity brings joy and rich blessing (verse 4). I feel an opening of my metaphorical hands. A release of control and fear that I need to rely on myself for provision. I can rest in the knowledge that God will give me what I need for my good and His glory.