As I reluctantly opened my Bible, I remembered why my yearly resolution to read through the Bible always stalled out about this time. I painstakingly slogged through verse after verse of rules and regulations given by God, grumbling inwardly that none of this pertained to me. Until I read Leviticus 19:9-10:
When you reap the harvest of your land, you are not to reap to the very edge of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. You must not strip your vineyard bare or gather its fallen grapes. Leave them for the poor and the foreign resident.
It dawned on me God was instructing His people to plan in advance to give to others in need. Not if there happens to be more than you want. Not if you have a little extra. Not when all your bills are paid. When Ruth gleaned leftovers from the fields of Boaz, it wasn’t by luck she found extra grain to gather. It was the result of a deliberate measure to provide for those in need. God told His people to prepare to share. This still holds true today, even in an economy shaken by recession.
Although there are no fields to glean in my neighborhood, I have found other ways to integrate this lesson into my life. Here are just a few suggestions as to how to leave some around the edges of your own field.
1. Double up.
When cooking a casserole or a pot of homemade soup, double the recipe and freeze half. God will lead you to a new mom or a sick neighbor who needs a helping hand. An elderly person who can’t cook anymore will appreciate your tasty leftovers.
2. “Contain” yourself.
Stock up on inexpensive, disposable plasticware or save and reuse plastic containers from whipped topping or cottage cheese, for example. Having the supplies you need on hand makes sharing easier and saves you and the recipient the trouble of returning dishes.
3. Share the profits.
Resolve to donate a small percentage of those little extras you expect to receive during the year. Yard sale proceeds, tax refunds or even cash gifts and bonuses are blessings—and they’re even sweeter when shared with others. If you have children, involve the whole family in selecting a worthy charity.
4. Shop to share.
Take advantage of buy-one-get-one-free promotions. Share the free item with someone in need or donate it to a homeless shelter. Keep track of how much money you save with coupons, and give that amount to someone struggling on a pension.
5. Clean out.
We all buy things we never use. Instead of letting them waste, reorganize your pantry or freezer and donate items you rarely use to a soup kitchen or food bank.
6.Step it up.
“Man must not live on bread alone” (Matt. 4:4). Food isn’t the only thing that can be shared. Don’t overschedule your weekends. Save an hour or two of your time to help a disabled neighbor with yard work or to babysit while a single mom runs errands.
7. “Season” with love.
If you buy season tickets to theater or sporting events you don’t always attend, offer them to a single parent or someone who is lonely. Better yet, invite her to go with you.
I have learned to appreciate Leviticus, but even more, I’ve learned sharing doesn’t just happen. Our good intentions tend to get crowded out by our busy schedules. When we prepare to share, we honor God’s desire for our lives.
