God’s providential care

Deuteronomy 24:19 “When you are harvesting in your field and you overlook a sheaf, do not go back to get it. Leave it for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow, so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.”

It is always good when considering the blessings of harvest that we read and reread, Deuteronomy 24:19. This is known as Gleaning; the act of collecting leftover crops from farmers' fields after they have been commercially harvested or on fields where it is not economically profitable to harvest.  It is a practice described in the Hebrew Bible that became a legally enforced entitlement of the poor in a number of Christian kingdoms.

A modern day version of this has been called "dumpster diving", when done for food or culinary ingredients, is seen as a similar form of food recovery. Gleaning is also still used to provide nutritious harvested foods for those in need. It is modernly used due to a need for a national network to aid food recovery organisations. 

But notice, as always in biblical teaching, there is a caveat implicit in following God’s instruction, “so, that the Lord may bless you in all the work of your hands.” In Proverbs we read, “The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed; those who help others are helped.”

An older man approached a young stranger in the post office and  asked, "Sir, would you address this postcard and write a short note for  me? I have such a difficult time writing these days."

The younger  man gladly did so, and when he was finished, he asked the older  gentleman, "Now, is there anything else I can do for you?"

The  older man looks at the card for a few moments and said, "Yes, at the end  could you add, 'Please excuse the sloppy handwriting'?"

Sometimes it is a question of receiving as well as giving help no matter what the quality of the gift.

Father, we thank You for the way You bless Your people.  You richly provide for our needs and supply us with hope that is not diminished by the circumstances of this world.  We want to share from our spiritual and material abundance so that we lay up treasure for ourselves in the eternal life that is promised to all believers.  Make us aware of opportunities to enrich others with the blessings we receive from You. In Jesus’ name we pray.  Amen.