Laying Up Treasure In The Right Place

Deuteronomy 15:1, 7-8---At the end of every seven years thou shalt make a release.  If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother: But thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth.

The Jewish faith was intensely practical. Anyone may fall on hard times and need assistance. This was to be a nation where they generously helped one another. The Kingdom of God is such a place. If you have extra, it is to share with those who have a need so that you both will be blessed. If he can't repay after a period of time, forgive the debt. Don't hold it against him. Is it more blessed to give than receive? It is, only if you can do it with a generous spirit thanking the Lord. The Law put them under compulsion to do this, and at many times in Israel's history, they disregarded the Law. The Spirit puts us under compulsion too but asks us to have a willing heart. All we need to do is yield to the Spirit and He will give us that kind of a generous heart that is the heart of our Lord. Is there a person in your fellowship with a need? Lend freely in an open-handed way. Our New Testament faith should be very practical also. The world should see a testimony of how we care for one another. If you've done it to your brother, you have done it to Christ.