OPENHANDED

PASTOR RYAN LADEN – DEVOTIONALS

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In the eighth commandment we hear a familiar prohibition, “Do not steal.” (Exodus 20:15) I trust that you can probably apply this commandment fairly easily into your daily life and that you do not need a lot of help understanding the meaning of this direct command. But, as is the case with all of the commandments, there is more going on in this short message than the simple prohibition. 

Layers

In every commandment, there are several layers of meaning and value. 

One of the most important layers of meaning speaks to the very character and nature of the Lord. The reason that the Lord gave this command to his people stems from a value that the God of Creation holds dear. The Lord calls his people to avoid being the kind of people who steal from others because the Lord finds great value in the opposite of theft. 

While there are a few great values we can look to that counterbalance the impulse to take that which is not ours, let us look to that which is found in the passage below:

7 If anyone is poor among your fellow Israelites in any of the towns of the land the LORD your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward them. 8 Rather, be openhanded and freely lend them whatever they need. 

9 Be careful not to harbor this wicked thought: “The seventh year, the year for canceling debts, is near,” so that you do not show ill will toward the needy among your fellow Israelites and give them nothing. They may then appeal to the LORD against you, and you will be found guilty of sin. 

10 Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. 11 There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land.

(Deuteronomy 15:7-11 NIV11)

Context

In this teaching, the Lord is instructing his people to seek to help meet the needs of their neighbors who are in need of financial and material help. The Lord desires that all of his people should care for one another, even when it comes to sharing their blessings and wealth with others from their family of faith who are having a hard time. 

Tightfisted

The people are cautioned against being “tightfisted”. This great English image helps us understand what the Lord is asking of his people. To be tightfisted in this context is to refuse to lend to those in need, or to lend to them in such a way that the terms of the loan are onerous and punitive. 

Openhanded

Again, another great image found in the language being used here. The people of God are being asked to open up their hands and give freely. To be openhanded is to share the blessings that are given to you by the Lord. 

The Lord Jesus Christ used a similar phrase when describing how his disciples should treat others while they were out on their first foray into mission work. In Matthew 10:8b we hear, “Freely you have received; freely give.” The idea is that if the Lord has given you the gift of success and blessing, then you should be willing to be openhanded and generous with others.

Counter

To be openhanded is a value that comes straight out of the heart of God. The Lord is generous and gives freely. He is the example of what it means to be openhanded. If we seek to mirror the generous heart of God, then we will find ourselves living in such a way that we are not tempted to steal from others. 

The Lord loves it when we are cheerful givers because this reflects his own attitude toward generosity. 

Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for the way that you pour out your love and blessings. I recognize that you have called me to be openhanded with others and to turn away from being tightfisted and self-absorbed. Help me take a step toward reflecting your generous heart as I go through my day today. Help me open my hands in your service. 

In Christ, 

Ryan Laden

PASTOR RYAN LADEN

Works at MTN. CHURCH

Former Senior pastor at Warnbro Community Church

Studies at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

Studied at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

Studied at Baylor University

Studied at Texas Tech University

Went to Castle Hills First Baptist

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