In Luke 12:16-21, we find the parable of the rich man who had such a bountiful harvest, that his barns were not big enough to store it. So, instead of giving it away of even selling it for a reasonable price to those who needed it, he planned to build bigger barns to hoard it. Then he could live in luxury. God called him a fool because he did not know what was important in life. That night he would die and everything he had would go to someone else. This story is a picture of a greedy heart which resulted in a selfish life.Lev. 23:22 says, "When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap your field right up to its edge, nor shall you gather the gleanings after your harvest. You shall leave them for the poor and the sojourner. I am the Lord your God." This command of God made it possible for those in need to have enough to eat. In Deut. 24:19-22, God instructs those gathering olives and grapes to only pick once so there will be leftovers for the widow, the fatherless, and the sojourner.
I think gleaning illustrates three things:
1) everything we have belongs to God, it really isn't ours
2) God is a giver; if we are being transformed into His image, we should be givers, too
3) it is not about having more, it is about having enough
Evidently the lottery winners (in my previous post) lived by that principle and knew when they had enough. So, when they came into possession of more..... they didn't build a bigger barn........ they gave it away!
Gleaning can also relate to more than possessions. It can be about our time or our talents.....being generous with those as well. And sometimes, we may be the gleaners when we need help, encouragement, prayer.
In the closing prayer at the end of the lesson, the author, Margaret Feinberg says:
"Father, help me to walk in the humility
necessary to glean when I am in need
and in generosity when I have the opportunity
to provide for others who are in need."
necessary to glean when I am in need
and in generosity when I have the opportunity
to provide for others who are in need."
That is my prayer today.
Excellent Post!! I love number 3 "It is not about having more, it is having enough." Since we can't take it with us what use is to store up more? The wisest woman I ever knew, called in her family and while she was alive gave every thing away to her children, grand children and great grand children. She even gave her house away. She didn't want anything to divide her family. She lived maybe for another 6 years or so, but she had given even
ReplyDeletewhat little she has kept away then too. I have always thought that would be the best way to live. In preparing how to die.
Very insightful post and I am going to write down the 3 points. I looked forward to this.
Such a great post! Everything does belong to God! For me, having that mind set has made it easier for me to let go of certain things I hold on to, too tight. God is a giver and we are made in His image right!? So I believe we are actively being the Lord's hands and feet when we as a body constantly give.
ReplyDeleteA very practical lesson! It amzes me to know that the needs in this world are not due to there not being enough, but rather distribution. If we could learn to leave so that others have.
ReplyDeleteInteresting thoughts about gleaning. What are we doing with that which we have been given?
ReplyDeleteVery nice post!
ReplyDeleteI join in you in praying that Christ will teach me to be more generous. All that I have is His anyways...surely I can allow Him to show me how to use it - and how to give it away.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful week, friend.