gleanings

I’m not a big fan of the welfare state. I don’t like the idea of some of us living off the rest of us. On the other hand, I do think the government has a critical role in ensuring everyone has a chance to provide for him or herself.

Once again, there is timeless truth for this very modern issue in scripture. This morning I read Leviticus 19:9-10, which says "'When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the foreigner. I am the Lord your God.’”

There are three things here that I needed to be reminded about citizenship. First, as one of the fortunate ones blessed with a good job, I have an obligation not to use all of my wealth for myself. Part of what I produce is to be made available for the less fortunate.

Second, the poor shouldn’t just live idly off the largess of the workers. The poor should be willing to put in the work of collecting for themselves. In today’s world, that may mean that they could provide a service to my community in return for which they have a right to support, kind of like the old CCC of the 1930s. But lack of money doesn’t excuse anyone from good citizenship.

Finally, God says I have an obligation to provide not just for the poor, but also for the foreigner. There are many who feel immigrants and refugees have no right to anything until they pay taxes; that doesn’t seem to be God’s way.

And that’s the real point here. In this chapter of Leviticus God lays down many other commands as well, and finishes all of them by saying “I am the Lord your God.” To me that sounds like, “As my image-bearers you must be like me, and that means you must do this thing.” Not argue, not complain, just do.