June 6
Open
Your Hand
Deuteronomy 15:7-8
If anyone is poor among your fellow Israelites in any of the towns of the land that the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward them. Rather, be openhanded and freely lend them whatever they need.
Daily Steps
The ultimate expression of Christian stewardship is found not in personal accumulation but in practical compassion for the poor. This verse provides the new believer with a clear command for finding peace through generosity: be openhanded.
The peace in this command is rooted in God's expectation:
The Heart's Warning: We are first warned against being "hardhearted or tightfisted" toward those in need. A closed hand and a closed heart are symptoms of a fear-based, scarcity mindset (The Fear of Lack, Day 147) that ultimately destroys inner peace.
The Command of Openness: The active command is to "be openhanded and freely lend them whatever they need." This goes beyond tithing (Day 148); it is a call to actively seek out and meet the practical needs of others with a spirit of liberality. An open hand reflects an open, trusting heart.
The Result is a Clear Conscience: When you refuse to neglect the poor, your heart remains soft, and your conscience remains clear. Living with practical compassion aligns your financial actions with the ultimate character of God, which secures a deep and lasting peace.
Your financial peace is secured by active compassion. By keeping your heart soft and your hand open, you honor God with your possessions and defeat the selfish tendencies that breed anxiety.
Reflective Question
Is there someone you know who is genuinely poor or in acute need? In what way is your heart being tightfisted toward them? What is one specific, tangible act of openhanded generosity can you commit to today?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I confess my tendency toward self-focus and a tightfisted heart. I pray for Your compassion to move my heart toward the needy.
Give me the courage to be truly openhanded and generous today, freely meeting the needs You place before me.
May this commitment to practical compassion secure my peace and reflect Your loving nature. Amen.
