REMEMBER and GIVE (part 1)

Deuteronomy 24:19-21 – When you are harvesting in your field and you overlook a sheaf, do not go back to get it. Leave it for the alien, the fatherless and the widow, so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. ²⁰ When you beat the olives from your trees, do not go over the branches a second time. Leave what remains for the alien, the fatherless and the widow. ²¹ When you harvest the grapes in your vineyard, do not go over the vines again. Leave what remains for the alien, the fatherless and the widow.

Verses 19-21 basically communicates that we should work hard with our hands, but NOT to build our own wealth or our own little kingdom. Rather, we take what we NEED (not what we want) and then use the surplus for those who find themselves in a place of real need. As we meet their needs we are no longer building our self centered little kingdom but rather we are selflessly seeing His Kingdom built.

• Are you doing this?
• Are you using all you have for you and your family?
• Do you really have to have the new TV?
• Do you need this seasons jeans or could go to the sales rack?

We must change the way we think if we are going to DIE TO OUR OWN NEEDS and actively live out the gospel.

BUT WHY WOULD WE DO THIS?

Above you read verses 19-21, now look at verse 22.

Deuteronomy 24:19-22 – ²² Remember that you were slaves in Egypt. That is why I command you to do this.

Within the context of this passage the writer it talking to God’s Chosen nation who were once held in the chains of slavery in Egypt, but now have the freedom to enjoy their own land of freedom. He explains in verse 22 to REMEMBER where you were…because it was GOD who GAVE FREEDOM to you FREELY. So as followers of Christ we should be driven to live below our means so that we can give to those in need. When we do that we communicate the giving heart of our Savior. We do all of this because we REMEMBER what it was like to be a slave to sin and NOW know what it feels like to live in the freedom of Christ that is found through His Cross and the empty tomb.

So if you are NOT living generously with all that God has given you then you probably need to check your memory.

REMEMBER the GOSPEL…that is why WE GIVE.