Day 11 (20) She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy

Day 11 ( 20) She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy

God is faithful in His Word to not only give us commands but to tell us HOW to obey, in practical terms. He never leaves us in the dark. For this woman in Proverbs 31, she had learned to obey God’s laws. She didn’t love just in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth (1 John 3:18). She wasn’t just a hearer of the word; she was a doer (James 1:22).

The poor were to be given fairness in court, even if they couldn’t afford a lawyer (Exodus 23:6).

Every seven years, the fields were to lie fallow and rest. During this year, anything that grew on its own was to be given freely to the poor (Exodus 23:11).

Vineyards were only to be picked one time. The corners of fields were to remain unpicked. Anything that remained was to be left for the poor (Leviticus 19:10).

If a poor man had to sell his property, his relatives had first opportunity to purchase it on his behalf (Leviticus 25:25).

If a neighbor became poor, everyone was to help him so that he wouldn’t have to move away (Leviticus 25:35, 39).

Wages were to be paid daily, before sunset, so that the poor wouldn’t have to wait for relief (Deuteronomy 24:15).

Exorbitant interest was not allowed, nor could food be sold at a profit so that the poor couldn’t afford it (Leviticus 25:36-37).

The poor were not to be sold as slaves but were to be treated as hired workers, with full rights and dignity (Leviticus 25:39-43).

Best of all, during the year of Jubilee (every 50th year), land was returned to its original owners, debts were canceled, and the poor and needy were finally able to make a clean start! (see Leviticus 25)

In obedience to God’s merciful law, our Proverbs 31 woman not only made provision for the poor in her fields and vineyards and promptly paid her servant girls and hired helpers, she also set aside a portion of her income as a gift for the poor and needy.

“ 28At the end of three years thou shalt bring forth all the tithe of thine increase the same year, and shalt lay it up within thy gates:

29And the Levite, (because he hath no part nor inheritance with thee,) and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, which are within thy gates, shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied; that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hand which thou doest.” (Deuteronomy 14:28-29).

Finally, she offered hospitality and care to all those she saw with needs. “She stretcheth out her hand… she reacheth forth her hands…

Eliza R Snow was a great example of Helping the Poor and needy. She was called by Brigham Young to help bishops reorganize Female Relief Societies in 1866. She traveled all over Utah encouraging sisters to join societies "not only for the good of the poor, but for the accomplishment of every good and noble work." (History of Relief Society, page 30) In her new role, Eliza traveled with her counselors, Zina D. H. Young and Elizabeth Ann Whitney, to Mormon settlements in nearly every type of conveyance imaginable, enduring nearly every type of weather.

Due to the efforts of Eliza's presidency, there were Female Relief Societies in the twenty Salt Lake City wards, in nearly every county in Utah, and several other nearby communities by the end of 1868. These newly organized branches of the Relief Society met twice each month. During one of these monthly meetings, they sewed and cared for the needs of the poor, and at the other they received instruction on a variety of educational or inspirational themes. At first, sisters met in private homes, but eventually most groups built halls of their own in cooperation with the brethren.

How can we use these gracious laws of God in 2010? How could we make provisions and ways of escape for the poor and needy who surround us? How can we stretch out our hands with mercy, kindness, and relief for those who are drowning in fear and financial care?

We could start by always leaving a little leftovers, making a little extra food, setting aside just a tiny bit each day.

Maybe it could be a jar for loose change. We could also set aside an extra bit, over and above our tithe by increasing our fast offerings, to be given to those who have a need. Maybe we could fill up someone’s tank with gas. Maybe we could get an extra pair of shoes when they’re on clearance and drop them off at someone’s house. These things are small… and that’s the point. If we all did something small, it would add up, and the poor and needy would have relief.

If someone were to stretch out their hands to them, maybe the urge to escape would disappear. Maybe the fear in the pit of their stomachs would lessen. Maybe they’d find a shoulder to cry on. Maybe they’d find someone who could counsel and guide them toward a better job, or show them how to save, or help them pay off that last credit card bill. Maybe they’d be more willing to listen to the gospel when they saw Jesus living through us.

Here is some cute humor about helping the needy.......