Key Text: When thou cutest down thine harvest in thy field, and hast forgot a sheaf in the field, thou shalt not go again to fetch it; it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow: that the Lord thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hands (Deut. 24:19).
Moses gave commandment against oppressing the poor and against taking the life of the son for the crime of his father or vice versa, underscoring the necessity of personal responsibility. Moses also told the people how to harvest their crops. Once the laborers had gone through a field, they could not return to pick up the gleanings v 19. The poor would be allowed to follow the reapers and pick up what was left of the scattered grain and go through the vineyards to pick up the leftover grapes. This is how God respected the dignity of the poor and how He gave them work to make a living.
Paul’s admonition of the Ephesian Bondservants, even a slave, if Christian, was bound to serve their employer or earthly master with obedience as if one was serving Christ Himself. In respect for the authority of the master, the servant should avoid “eyeservice” and work well even when the boss is not watching the employee Eph 6:6. Working as “menpleasers” will gain human praise only. But as servants of Christ “ and with good will doing service, do the will of God from the heart with enthusiasm and a generous spirit” v 7. The Lord remembers and rewards without regard to social class or economic status v 8. He weighs the unfaithfulness in servants and the unkindness in masters in the same scales of divine equity and justice v 9.
Paul says “Charge them that are rich” to trust only in the living God and not in uncertain riches 1 Timothy 6:17. There is nothing wrong with being rich, if those who are rich are “rich toward God.” The age-old expression, “You can’t take it with you,” is still true. But the believer can send it ahead of him in the form of rewards. To do this is what it means to “lay hold on eternal life” v 19. AMEN!
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