"`When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Leave them for the poor and the alien. I am the LORD your God.'” Lev 23.22 (see Deut 24.19-22). An example of this occurs in the story of Ruth (Ruth 2.15-18).
Every seventh year they were not to grow anything on their land. The fallow land was to be left for the poor – whatever grew of itself could be used by anyone (Lev 25.1-7).
“ ... during the seventh year let the land lie unplowed and unused. Then the poor among your people may get food from it, and the wild animals may eat what they leave. Do the same with your vineyard and your olive grove.” Ex 23.11.
As well gifts and loans were to be given to the poor (see Prov 22.9; Deut 15.7-11).
“If there is a poor man among your brothers in any of the towns of the land that the LORD your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tight-fisted toward your poor brother. Rather be open-handed and freely lend him whatever he needs. ... Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to.” Deut 15.7,8,10).
Open-handed or tight-fisted is the choice. Only one of them is blessed by the Lord, because only one of them corresponds to how the Lord acts. To be continued ...
Dale