Deuteronomy 15:4 (ESV): 4 But there will be no poor among you; for the Lord will bless you in the land that the Lord your God is giving you for an inheritance to possess—
This startling statement is made in context of instructions for the sabbatical year. Every seventh year, creditors were to release what they had lent to their neighbor.
Thus, God’s desire was that poverty not be present among his people, but rather that they would care for each other in how they did business together.
This verse is immediately followed by a stipulation. Verse 5 says they must strictly obey God’s voice. Verse 11 also notes that there would never cease to be poor in the land, but this was stated with the expectation that the people would live open-handed with generosity toward each other.
God desires that not only we individually demonstrate love and care for one another, but also that our economic systems be structured in order to provide for each other.
This will not eliminate poverty or inequity. Yet if we live with the mindset of generosity and love, our community will be a much better place in which to live.
Heavenly Father, help me to not only see the needs of others, but be compelled by your love to minister to them. Amen.