Now when you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap to the very corners of your field, nor shall you gather the gleanings of your harvest. - Leviticus 19:9
As the Israelites made their way to the promised land, God gave Moses (their leader) many instructions concerning life and the maintenance of a just society. One concern to which God paid particular attention was care for the poor.
Interestingly, God's provision for those in need did not include a handout, but rather placed responsibility upon the "haves" as well as the "have-nots." The "haves" were instructed to resist the urge to consume all in order that some might be left-over and made available for others. The "have-nots" were then expected to go and gather that which the "haves" had not consumed. With these instructions, God encouraged both charitable giving as well as the importance earning a living.
Those of us who find ourselves in the company of the blessed "haves" should not consume all that God has given, but instead should make provision for those of us who (om time-to-time) have-not. At the same time, if we find ourselves not "having" let us work hard to gather as God has made us able to do so.
Charity sees the need, not the cause. - Unknown
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