“…and they shall judge the people with righteous judgment.” Deuteronomy 16:18

All those in a community who are charged with the maintenance of justice must have some understanding of how one proceeds to reach just decisions on any matter. The Law of God is the starting point; but the Law of God is not exhaustive. Further, it was written for an ancient people, many of whose ways do not apply in our day, and who, in their day, could not have anticipated the needs of our own.

So how do we reach justice in any situation? By Law and precedent–understanding what the Law of God teaches and looking to Scripture and our Christian past to guide in understanding how to apply the Law today. Let’s look at just one example.

When the Apostle Paul came to Corinth, in order not to be a burden to them, he took up work as a tent-maker, laboring most of the day to earn his bread and ministering as he was able, for 18 months, to build the church in Corinth. It seems never to have occurred to the Corinthians that they ought to have provided for Paul’s needs, freeing him from long days stitching and selling so that he could devote more of his best energy to the work of the church. It is hard to imagine, however, that Paul did not at some point teach them, as he did the Galatians, that “One who is taught the word must share all good things with the one who teaches” (Gal. 6:6).

Thus, after his ministry there was concluded, when Paul sought to get the lethargic Corinthians to contribute to the relief of the saints in Palestine, he chastised them for their hardness and invoked the Law of God to move them to contribute financially to those who had made their spiritual wellbeing possible (1 Cor. 9:1-18; 2 Cor. 8:1ff; cf. Rom. 15:26, 27). The Corinthians had broken the eighth commandment in “stealing” from Paul; he did not want them to continue in this way toward their fellow believers. So he invoked the statute about allowing the ox to eat as it is treading out the corn (Deut. 15:4), together with his own situation when among the Corinthians, in order to move them to right (just) action on behalf of their brethren in Palestine.

The more we know of the Law of God, the more consistently we practice it in every situation, the better we will be at every level of the community in working for justice. Justice does not simply happen. The love for God and neighbors encoded in His Law must be practiced and administered by finite human beings. But God has promised that, to the extent that we make justice and only justice our aim, He will bless His people, and He will bless those among whom they dwell, even though they be unsaved, and even though they be His enemies (Matt. 5:45-48).

Reading and meditating on the Law of God is every believer’s duty and privilege (Ps. 1). Order your copy of The Law of God, a compendium of the commandments and precepts of God’s Law, by going to www.MyParuchia.com, point your browser to “Publications,” then click on the drop-down option, “Waxed Tablet Publications.”

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In the Gates is a devotional series on the Law of God by Rev. T.M. Moore.

T.M. Moore is editor of the Worldview Church. He serves as dean of the Centurions Program of the Wilberforce Forum and principal of The Fellowship of Ailbe, a spiritual fellowship in the Celtic Christian tradition. He is the author or editor of twenty books, and has contributed chapters to four others. His essays, reviews, articles, papers, and poetry have appeared in dozens of national and international journals, and on a wide range of websites. His most recent books are The Ailbe Psalter and The Ground for Christian Ethics (Waxed Tablet).

Scripture quotations in this article are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, (c) copyright 2001,2007 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Editor’s note: The use of a translation other than the Authorised Version in an article does not constitute an endorsement in whole or in part by The Christian Observer.

“And you shall come to the Levitical priests and to the judge who is in office in those days, and you shall consult them, and they shall declare to you the decision.” Deuteronomy 17:9

As will be obvious by now, the administration of justice in a community rests in the hands of finite people, some–perhaps many–of whom will not have access to divine revelation by virtue of their being yet unsaved. Even amongst the redeemed of the Lord the possibility exists that injustice could result in some situation, for a wide variety of reasons.

In the situation envisioned in our text, local magistrates, faced with a case they cannot adjudicate, are encouraged to appeal to a higher authority, one, by virtue of its place in the community, presumed to have a better grasp on matters of justice. Thus is established a principle of appeal in matters of justice. This principle includes the ability to call witnesses into a situation where justice is being sought (Deut. 19:15-17), who may give testimony in support of one or another party in or element of a case.

This right of appeal also implies the ability to have one’s case judged in the open, in the gates of the city, where neighbors and other objective observers would be able to view the proceedings for themselves (cf. Ruth 4). The principle of trial by a jury of peers is rooted here. “Sunshine laws” also have their origin in this idea that discussions of justice should be open for the inspection of the public, so that they can see for themselves how rulers and authorities judge the situations that come before them.

The right of appeal to a higher court is also implied here. If a party is not persuaded that he has been given justice in a situation, then, to a limited extent, he should have recourse to a higher authority. Thus one parent challenged should be willing to turn to the judgment of the second. One church court challenged can be reviewed by a higher court. Even corporations and businesses have personnel policy manuals that explain employees’ rights, including appeals.

Because justice is so precious and so important we must take care to “get it right.” The provision of various means of appeal helps to ensure that justice and only justice will be maintained in any community.

Reading and meditating on the Law of God is every believer’s duty and privilege (Ps. 1). Order your copy of The Law of God, a compendium of the commandments and precepts of God’s Law, by going to www.MyParuchia.com, point your browser to “Publications,” then click on the drop-down option, “Waxed Tablet Publications.”

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In the Gates is a devotional series on the Law of God by Rev. T.M. Moore.

T.M. Moore is editor of the Worldview Church. He serves as dean of the Centurions Program of the Wilberforce Forum and principal of The Fellowship of Ailbe, a spiritual fellowship in the Celtic Christian tradition. He is the author or editor of twenty books, and has contributed chapters to four others. His essays, reviews, articles, papers, and poetry have appeared in dozens of national and international journals, and on a wide range of websites. His most recent books are The Ailbe Psalter and The Ground for Christian Ethics (Waxed Tablet).

Scripture quotations in this article are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, (c) copyright 2001,2007 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Editor’s note: The use of a translation other than the Authorised Version in an article does not constitute an endorsement in whole or in part by The Christian Observer.

“And when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, he shall write for himself in a book a copy of this law, approved by the Levitical priests. And it shall be with him, and he shall read in it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the LORD his God by keeping all the words of this law and these statutes, and doing them.” Deuteronomy 17:18, 19

In ancient Israel God clearly intended that the administration of justice according to His Law should begin at the top–with the civil and religious leaders. Both kings and priests were expected to know and obey the Law of God, thus creating a kind of symbiosis between the ecclesiastical and civil spheres, to ensure the blessings of God to the nation.

In our day of “separation of Church and State” it is difficult to see how what Moses envisioned in this text could be practiced with any degree of consistency. However, as believers we must not simply throw up our hands and say, when it comes to the type of justice under which we shall live, “Oh well, whatever.”

In a democracy “we the people” wield real political power. It is our duty to argue, persuade, and insist of our leaders that they adopt policies and enact legislation that reflect the requirements of justice as revealed in the Law of God. Again, we must be wise as serpents and harmless as doves in auguring for our views; it will be necessary for us to explain the prudential reasons why we believe this or that policy should be preferred above others.

But the Law of God is infinitely wise and consistently focused on bringing good to men; therefore, it is not beyond our ability to discover ways of demonstrating the benefit a community or nation can expect from enacting wise and just laws, even those which reflect the Law of God.

Further, when we have political leaders at the national (or local) level who make a show of their faith in Jesus Christ–whether true or merely a posture–we should be emboldened to hold those officials accountable to the Word of God in their lives and practice as national leaders. We must not allow national leaders to make God in their own image and use Him as they will (Ps. 50:16-22); rather, if they insist on professing faith in Him, then we must feel free, indeed, obliged, to hold them accountable to the Word of Him Whom they claim to believe.

Reading and meditating on the Law of God is every believer’s duty and privilege (Ps. 1). Order your copy of The Law of God, a compendium of the commandments and precepts of God’s Law, by going to www.MyParuchia.com, point your browser to “Publications,” then click on the drop-down option, “Waxed Tablet Publications.”

–

In the Gates is a devotional series on the Law of God by Rev. T.M. Moore.

T.M. Moore is editor of the Worldview Church. He serves as dean of the Centurions Program of the Wilberforce Forum and principal of The Fellowship of Ailbe, a spiritual fellowship in the Celtic Christian tradition. He is the author or editor of twenty books, and has contributed chapters to four others. His essays, reviews, articles, papers, and poetry have appeared in dozens of national and international journals, and on a wide range of websites. His most recent books are The Ailbe Psalter and The Ground for Christian Ethics (Waxed Tablet).

Scripture quotations in this article are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, (c) copyright 2001,2007 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Editor’s note: The use of a translation other than the Authorised Version in an article does not constitute an endorsement in whole or in part by The Christian Observer.

“You shall appoint judges and officers in all your towns that the LORD your God is giving you, according to your tribes, and they shall judge the people with righteous judgment.” Deuteronomy 16:18

Beyond the home, every community is comprised of various centers of authority. Those who serve in those centers–schools, churches, volunteer agencies (Scouts, service organizations, PTAs), and local governments–have the duty to practice justice according to the Law of God. This gets a little sticky once we get beyond the pale of the community of the faith; however, as God holds even unbelievers accountable to His standards of righteousness, surely we can do no less.

In our churches, officers–elders and deacons–and servants–teachers, committee members, and so forth–are also required to understand and act according to the just ways of God. Elders are called to be shepherds of God’s flock (1 Pet. 5:1-3). Shepherding is a very specific kind of activity, designed to aid believers in becoming equipped for ministry, as Jesus pointed out in John 10. When elders fail to accept and practice the demands of shepherding that Jesus taught, they fail the congregation, depriving it of the blessings God would give them were the leaders only more just in carrying out their duties.

Teachers in the church are also called to do justice for their learners. Teachers who give the impression that all that is required of students is to come to class, behave, and act like they have learned something–but who do not lead them to take the Word to heart and learn to walk in obedience to it–are not acting justly towards those they teach.

In the larger community school teachers and local magistrates must be held accountable to the standards of God’s Law. This requires wisdom on the part of believers, for unbelievers–as many local authorities will be–will chafe and resist if they feel like they’re being preached to on any subject. We must discover ways of persuading local authorities to adopt policies and practice protocols that reflect the justice of God, so that His love may flow to saved and unsaved alike, and His peace may be maintained in the community.

Every election, every new school year, every activity in church provides an opportunity to think about the requirements of justice and what we, as members of the believing community, can do to help those in authority practice the justice God expects of them. Every day presents abundant opportunities to examine, evaluate, and, if necessary, seek to correct the practices of those in authority, so that the good pleasure of God–justice–is more consistently in evidence in our community.

Reading and meditating on the Law of God is every believer’s duty and privilege (Ps. 1). Order your copy of The Law of God, a compendium of the commandments and precepts of God’s Law, by going to www.MyParuchia.com, point your browser to “Publications,” then click on the drop-down option, “Waxed Tablet Publications.”

–

In the Gates is a devotional series on the Law of God by Rev. T.M. Moore.

T.M. Moore is editor of the Worldview Church. He serves as dean of the Centurions Program of the Wilberforce Forum and principal of The Fellowship of Ailbe, a spiritual fellowship in the Celtic Christian tradition. He is the author or editor of twenty books, and has contributed chapters to four others. His essays, reviews, articles, papers, and poetry have appeared in dozens of national and international journals, and on a wide range of websites. His most recent books are The Ailbe Psalter and The Ground for Christian Ethics (Waxed Tablet).

Scripture quotations in this article are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, (c) copyright 2001,2007 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Editor’s note: The use of a translation other than the Authorised Version in an article does not constitute an endorsement in whole or in part by The Christian Observer.

“And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” Deuteronomy 6:6-9

To their great credit, many Christian parents today devote many hours, much strength, and considerable expense in caring for their children and ministering to their needs. To their shame, much of that effort and expense is wasted in activities that have little to do with justice and the plan of God for their lives.

Parents and the home are the trainers and training ground of justice in the community of faith. Moses makes that abundantly clear in the text before us today. Parents must first of all provide an example of justice to their children. They must devote their hearts to studying and living by the Law and Word of God. Their prayer must ever be that of the psalmist, “I incline my heart to perform your statutes, forever to the end” (Ps. 119:112). And they must so walk in the ways they are learning that all their thoughts (“frontlets”) and actions (“hand”) demonstrate the reality of the Truth of God lived.

Second, parents must diligently teach their children the Law of God. The word implies special time and focus set aside for instruction, interaction, and thinking together about the application of God’s Word to particular situations. Parents must not default on this responsibility to Sunday schools or youth groups, as valuable as these can sometimes be. Diligent instruction in justice and the requirements of love are the most important investments parents must make in their children.

But parents must also teach their children casually, that is, as “teaching moments” come up throughout the day. Our lives are filled, as Jesus consistently demonstrated, with situations, things, events, and people which lend themselves to moments of instruction in the things of the Lord. Parents in their rising and sitting and walking about with their children must learn to be alert to such opportunities and to make the most of them for furthering the cause of God’s justice (Eph. 5:15-17).

Moreover, parents must work to create an environment of learning for justice in their homes. This is the meaning of “writing” the Law of God on the “doorposts” of the house. Everything about our homes should speak to children and visitors about our commitment to the beauty, goodness, and Truth of God. Justice will be encouraged in a home where the Law of God is exemplified and taught, and that is conscientiously furnished, adorned, and guarded in every way by parents who insist on using their homes in the promotion of justice and love.

Reading and meditating on the Law of God is every believer’s duty and privilege (Ps. 1). Order your copy of The Law of God, a compendium of the commandments and precepts of God’s Law, by going to www.MyParuchia.com, point your browser to “Publications,” then click on the drop-down option, “Waxed Tablet Publications.”

–

In the Gates is a devotional series on the Law of God by Rev. T.M. Moore.

T.M. Moore is editor of the Worldview Church. He serves as dean of the Centurions Program of the Wilberforce Forum and principal of The Fellowship of Ailbe, a spiritual fellowship in the Celtic Christian tradition. He is the author or editor of twenty books, and has contributed chapters to four others. His essays, reviews, articles, papers, and poetry have appeared in dozens of national and international journals, and on a wide range of websites. His most recent books are The Ailbe Psalter and The Ground for Christian Ethics (Waxed Tablet).

Scripture quotations in this article are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, (c) copyright 2001,2007 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

“See, I have taught you statutes and rules, as the LORD my God commanded me, that you should do them in the land you are entering to take possession of it. Keep them and do them, for that will be your wisdom….” Deuteronomy 4:5, 6

The administration of justice in a community begins with the members of the community themselves. In ancient Israel each member was responsible to walk in obedience to all the commandments, statutes, and rules of the Lord, including those which prescribed ways for them to ensure the maintenance of justice in their community.

In the Church, individual members are the first line of defense against anything that would disrupt the order and peace of the Church, or seek to move her off the foundations of Truth and righteousness. What does this require of us?

First, as members of the community, responsible to help ensure that just and loving relationships are maintained among us, as well as with the larger community, we need to make sure we understand the requirements of justice as these devolve upon us in any situation. For this, we must become diligent students of God’s Law and of the rest of His Word as expounding and applying that law of love to everyday situations.

Love is not merely a sentiment, something we “feel” toward our neighbors and fellow church members. In the same way, justice is not just a condition to be longed for; it is a state to be attained and maintained through diligent attendance upon the requirements of justice. These, as we have seen, are outlined in the Word, beginning in the Law of Moses, but with ample elucidation, explication, and example in the prophets, writings, gospels, Acts, and epistles. If we will not apply ourselves to the reading and study of the Word of God, we shall have no hope for being able to fulfill our duties as maintainers of justice in our communities.

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable to equip us for good (just) works (2 Tim. 3:15-17). Each church member, therefore, must develop a plan and the discipline to gain ever-deeper insight to and understanding of the Word of God, together with means of personal accountability to help ensure that what we read we are putting to good use. The justice due our neighbors begins here.

Reading and meditating on the Law of God is every believer’s duty and privilege (Ps. 1). Order your copy of The Law of God, a compendium of the commandments and precepts of God’s Law, by going to www.MyParuchia.com, point your browser to “Publications,” then click on the drop-down option, “Waxed Tablet Publications.”

–

In the Gates is a devotional series on the Law of God by Rev. T.M. Moore.

T.M. Moore is editor of the Worldview Church. He serves as dean of the Centurions Program of the Wilberforce Forum and principal of The Fellowship of Ailbe, a spiritual fellowship in the Celtic Christian tradition. He is the author or editor of twenty books, and has contributed chapters to four others. His essays, reviews, articles, papers, and poetry have appeared in dozens of national and international journals, and on a wide range of websites. His most recent books are The Ailbe Psalter and The Ground for Christian Ethics (Waxed Tablet).

Scripture quotations in this article are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, (c) copyright 2001,2007 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Editor’s note: The use of a translation other than the Authorised Version in an article does not constitute an endorsement in whole or in part by The Christian Observer.

Justice, and only justice, you shall follow, that you may live and inherit the land that the LORD your God is giving you. Deuteronomy 16:20

Justice doesn’t just happen. Human beings are naturally self-centered and tend to look out for themselves first of all, and for others only perhaps after that. In seeking our own desires and ends we may not be inclined, in every instance, to do the right thing; we might try to do only the best thing to get whatever we want. In such instances justice will likely be compromised.

So if a society is to know justice and only justice, so that the promises and blessings of God may flourish in its midst, someone must be responsible to ensure justice in every situation. The maintenance of justice must be lodged in certain sectors of society, and protocols and procedures designed to ensure justice must be practiced by those responsible.

This is exactly what we find in the Law of God. Certain parties–more than one–are vested with the duty of working for justice in all relationships, and they are instructed in the way to proceed to help ensure that the ends of justice will be met.

We have seen that justice is a jewel with five facets, and that it must be extended to even the least of those in a society. When justice is practiced the love of God flows between neighbors, and the blessings of God fall upon the community. So let those responsible for ensuring justice–which includes all of us–study to understand our duty and be bold to engage it whenever the situation requires.

Reading and meditating on the Law of God is every believer’s duty and privilege (Ps. 1). Order your copy of The Law of God, a compendium of the commandments and precepts of God’s Law, by going to www.MyParuchia.com, point your browser to “Publications,” then click on the drop-down option, “Waxed Tablet Publications.”

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In the Gates is a devotional series on the Law of God by Rev. T.M. Moore.

T.M. Moore is editor of the Worldview Church. He serves as dean of the Centurions Program of the Wilberforce Forum and principal of The Fellowship of Ailbe, a spiritual fellowship in the Celtic Christian tradition. He is the author or editor of twenty books, and has contributed chapters to four others. His essays, reviews, articles, papers, and poetry have appeared in dozens of national and international journals, and on a wide range of websites. His most recent books are The Ailbe Psalter and The Ground for Christian Ethics (Waxed Tablet).

Scripture quotations in this article are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, (c) copyright 2001,2007 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Editor’s note: The use of a translation other than the Authorised Version in an article does not constitute an endorsement in whole or in part by The Christian Observer.

“You shall give to him freely, and your heart shall not be grudging when you give to him, because for this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in all that you undertake.” Deuteronomy 15:10

Care for poor, extending to the poor the justice God intends for them, is ultimately a matter of the heart. It comes down to how we regard the poor, whether we truly consider them our neighbors and ourselves their servants for Jesus’ sake. In ancient Israel the people of God did not have the heart to obey Him (Deut. 5:29); thus, care for the poor and love for neighbors were often neglected. In fact, this is one of the reasons Jesus’ ministry stood out so starkly from that of the religious leaders of His day: He actually took the Law of God as His guide in loving the needy and poor, while the religious leaders of His day did not.

Believers in Jesus Christ have received a “new heart,” one open to the teaching, leading, and empowering work of the Spirit of God. That work relates directly to obeying the Law of God, not as a means of salvation, but as a handbook for loving God and neighbor (Ezek. 36:26, 27; Matt. 22:34-40). If we are truly filled with the Spirit and have the heart of Jesus beating in us, we will take an active concern, not only in caring for the poor, but in learning and obeying all the counsel of God in His Word, beginning with His Law.

How do we thus guard our hearts on behalf of the poor? First, pray for poor people daily, that the grace of God will reach them at the point of their needs through the loving ministries of God’s obedient people. Second, encourage your church to take a more active role in providing services for the local poor. Meet with your pastor and ask about your church’s diaconal ministry to its own members. How can you help? Explore with your pastor ways of joining with other churches to be ready to meet larger needs on behalf of the poor in your community. Make sure that you yourself are a model of how to regard the poor and care for them as the Lord leads.

Take an interest in poor parts and peoples of the world. Discover which Christian agencies are at work there and consider becoming a part of their ministry, or helping your church to do so. If we have a heart for God and His Law, we will have a heart for the poor and needy. And, having a heart for them–as Jesus did–we will not rest until we have discovered every practical means by which we may care for the poor in the Name of the One Who became poor on our behalf, that we, through His poverty, might become rich in eternal blessings.

Reading and meditating on the Law of God is every believer’s duty and privilege (Ps. 1). Order your copy of The Law of God, a compendium of the commandments and precepts of God’s Law, by going to www.MyParuchia.com, point your browser to “Publications,” then click on the drop-down option, “Waxed Tablet Publications.”

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In the Gates is a devotional series on the Law of God by Rev. T.M. Moore.

T.M. Moore is editor of the Worldview Church. He serves as dean of the Centurions Program of the Wilberforce Forum and principal of The Fellowship of Ailbe, a spiritual fellowship in the Celtic Christian tradition. He is the author or editor of twenty books, and has contributed chapters to four others. His essays, reviews, articles, papers, and poetry have appeared in dozens of national and international journals, and on a wide range of websites. His most recent books are The Ailbe Psalter and The Ground for Christian Ethics (Waxed Tablet).

Scripture quotations in this article are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, (c) copyright 2001,2007 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Editor’s note: The use of a translation other than the Authorised Version in an article does not constitute an endorsement in whole or in part by The Christian Observer.

“And 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 for the sojourner.” Leviticus 23.22

The third way that local communities must prepare to help the poor is by providing opportunities for work. Gleaning was a way that a poor person could take responsibility for his situation, preserve his dignity, and supply the needs of himself and his family while he waited on the Lord to restore his proper station in the community.

Gleaning is a far cry from the kinds of “welfare” programs we are familiar with in our day, when people, by virtue of mere poverty, are granted money and privileges that often have the effect of encouraging them to continue in their poverty. Local communities–and local churches–must investigate ways of helping the poor within their communities to maintain their sense of stewardship, responsibility for their own welfare, and membership in the local community by creating opportunities for the poor to work, if only on a temporary basis.

Gleaning was, of course, a seasonal activity. It could only serve the needs of the poor during the season of harvest. But the principle expressed in these laws–make it possible for the poor to work to supply their own needs–would doubtless have been applied in a variety of ways within faithful communities. Perhaps believers who own local businesses should lay up some money for emergency assistance and part-time jobs for the poor. Churches could do the same, or could use pooled diaconal funds to pay poor people to help elderly members of the community in various tasks.

Coupled with programs for loans and grants, “workfare” opportunities can help to ensure that justice is extended to the poor and that opportunities are provided for them to right their situation over time, with the loving help and counsel of their neighbors.

Reading and meditating on the Law of God is every believer’s duty and privilege (Ps. 1). Order your copy of The Law of God, a compendium of the commandments and precepts of God’s Law, by going to www.MyParuchia.com, point your browser to “Publications,” then click on the drop-down option, “Waxed Tablet Publications.”

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In the Gates is a devotional series on the Law of God by Rev. T.M. Moore.

T.M. Moore is editor of the Worldview Church. He serves as dean of the Centurions Program of the Wilberforce Forum and principal of The Fellowship of Ailbe, a spiritual fellowship in the Celtic Christian tradition. He is the author or editor of twenty books, and has contributed chapters to four others. His essays, reviews, articles, papers, and poetry have appeared in dozens of national and international journals, and on a wide range of websites. His most recent books are The Ailbe Psalter and The Ground for Christian Ethics (Waxed Tablet).

Scripture quotations in this article are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, (c) copyright 2001,2007 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Editor’s note: The use of a translation other than the Authorised Version in an article does not constitute an endorsement in whole or in part by The Christian Observer.

“If among you, one of your brothers should become poor, in any of your towns within your land that the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart or shut your hand against your poor brother, but you shall open your hand to him and lend him sufficient for his need, whatever it may be.” Deuteronomy 15:7, 8

From this and other passages we get the distinct impression that poor-relief is to be, in the first instance, a local concern. Exodus 22:25 uses the language “any of my people with you who is poor.” Leviticus 25:35 requires that we allow the poor to live with us during the season of their need, so that they may, soon enough, resume their place beside us in the community. Deuteronomy 14:28, 29 commands certain specific actions to be taken by communities on behalf of the poor “who are within your towns.”

Three specific kinds of programs are envisioned for local communities in caring for the poor in their midst. The first is a program of short-term loans (Deut. 15:7, 8). Local communities must make it possible for poor people, who can demonstrate responsibility, to secure temporary resources to meet their needs at a reasonable and workable interest rate (among believers, no interest is to be charged, Ex. 22:25). Such loans can be arranged through local banks, with believers or Christian entities serving as co-signers; alternately, churches may pool part of their diaconal resources to make it possible for the poor to borrow money over the short-term for immediate necessities. These loans can be paid back either in cash or by work on church grounds and facilities.

The second program relates specifically to local churches and requires that a portion of their normal tithes be set apart for the needs of the poor (Deut. 14:28, 29). The more churches can pool or coordinate their efforts in this matter, the more efficient the use of their resources will be. But churches must not make such funds available to believers only. “Sojourners” are also to be cared for in their need. We must not make some expression of belief in the Gospel a prerequisite to helping people in their needs. While helping the poor who are outside the Church provides an excellent opportunity to explain God’s grace through your gift, believing in the Gospel is not a requirement for benefiting from the compassion of the local church or the individual believer.

We must also be prepared at the local level to respond to situations of urgent need beyond our immediate vicinity, as Paul showed in canvassing the churches in Greece to provide for the relief of famine-stricken believers in Palestine. Normally, Christian agencies–denominations, international relief ministries, and so forth–are the most efficient means of making local church and community resources available in a timely manner for the larger needs of the poor throughout the world.

Reading and meditating on the Law of God is every believer’s duty and privilege (Ps. 1). Order your copy of The Law of God, a compendium of the commandments and precepts of God’s Law, by going to www.MyParuchia.com, point your browser to “Publications,” then click on the drop-down option, “Waxed Tablet Publications.”

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In the Gates is a devotional series on the Law of God by Rev. T.M. Moore.

T.M. Moore is editor of the Worldview Church. He serves as dean of the Centurions Program of the Wilberforce Forum and principal of The Fellowship of Ailbe, a spiritual fellowship in the Celtic Christian tradition. He is the author or editor of twenty books, and has contributed chapters to four others. His essays, reviews, articles, papers, and poetry have appeared in dozens of national and international journals, and on a wide range of websites. His most recent books are The Ailbe Psalter and The Ground for Christian Ethics (Waxed Tablet).

Scripture quotations in this article are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, (c) copyright 2001,2007 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Editor’s note: The use of a translation other than the Authorised Version in an article does not constitute an endorsement in whole or in part by The Christian Observer.