A small boy in Britain stole bread, as he was hungry. He was caught by police and presented in the court. The judge ordered him to be taken to juvenile home and given good teachings to reform. He asked his assistant to take his hat and collect ten pounds each from all who were present in the court. “This is punishment for all adults living in a society that allows children to be hungry, desperate that they have to steal. I am ashamed.” A small boy was beaten to death for stealing a packet of biscuit was reported from Karnataka, India. (25 March 2021, Times of India) Did it bother anyone’s conscience?
“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: I am the Lord your God.” (Leviticus 23:22) When you gather the grapes of your vineyard, you shall not strip it afterward. It shall be for the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow. (Deuteronomy 24:21) Boaz instructed his workers to leave sheaves for poor Ruth, a migrant and widow to collect. (Ruth 2:16) That generosity propelled him to become ancestor for Messiah.
How these principles be implemented in today’s context? Our generosity could be exhibited to those who are ridiculed and demonized by the society. Giving more than reasonable or add tips to rickshaw pullers, auto rickshaw drivers, cobblers, iron man who presses our clothes, newspaper boy, garbage collectors, people managing parking, courier boys. Buying books and stationery for poor children. Donating clothes for old and destitute. Volunteering to teach children who cannot afford tuition. Buying a mobile phone for a child who cannot afford to attend online class. Refurbishing laptop to donate to a poor college going student.
People who are beneficiaries may not be grateful and they may try to take advantage of our good heart. Yet, we should not give up doing good.
Do I have generous heart for poor and needy?