Good Morning.
When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not wholly reap the corners of your field when you reap, nor shall you gather any gleaning from your harvest. You shall leave them for the poor and for the stranger: I am the Lord your God. (Leviticus 23:22)
Throughout the Scripture, even when discussing the appointed times we are to meet with Him, the Almighty reminds us to be aware of and considerate of the strangers and poor among us. In other words, as He instructs us how we can love Him with all our hearts (by doing what He has asked us to do), He calls our attention to those who are less fortunate and remember that we are to love our neighbor as ourselves. In short, these two primary commands are found throughout the Word of God, underscoring the point the Messiah made about these two commandments — all others hang on them.
In this particular instance, the One who blesses His people with land and a harvest compels us to leave some for those who don’t have the benefit of lands and a bountiful harvest. Everything good thing comes from Him and to think that He blesses us for our sake’s only is a bit pretentious. No, He blesses us that we might be a blessing to others, and especially those who are in need. Beyond that, those we bless might, in time, be in position to bless us all. Consider what would not have happened if Boaz had not left gleanings for Ruth — theoretically, there would not have been a David.
The main point, though, is that all of us — regardless of our station and status — have something to give to others in need. The size with which we bless others is not necessarily the most important thing; its the fact that we acknowledge that we have been blessed by someone greater than we and, in turn, should be more than willing to bless others when we can help them. This is, in fact, what we are called to as the seed of Abraham — to be a source of blessing to the nations. Let us be steadfast in that call and stand ready to be “kindly affectionate to one another … giving preference to one another” (Romans 12:10).
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
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