Deuteronomy 15:7-23
Giving is a source of joy not only to the one who receives but also to the giver (Acts 20:35). This is a joy which God Himself tastes more than anybody else, He being "the Father of lights" from whom comes every good thing given to us and every perfect gift (James 1:17). And in order that His own may share that joy He provides opportunities for them to give. What a contradiction if their hearts are sad in so doing (v. 10)! Let us never forget that "God loveth a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:7).
"For the poor shall never cease out of the land" (v. 11). "For the poor always ye have with you," said the Lord Jesus (John 12:8). The opportunity is always there to taste the joy of giving, even if it is only a word of genuine sympathy. Perhaps it is "laid at our gate" (Luke 16:20) but we lack the eyes of the heart to see it and the devotion to seize it! "He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor" (Proverbs 22:9). And the example of the Hebrew servant, a type of Christ, following on from these instructions, reminds us that all that we do in love for someone poorer or smaller than ourselves, we do it for Jesus.