Deuteronomy 15:7-8
“If there is with you a poor man, one of your brothers, within any of your gates in your land which Yahweh your God gives you, you shall not harden your heart, nor shut your hand from your poor brother; but you shall open your hand wide to him, and shall surely lend him sufficient for his need in that which he wants.”
Deuteronomy is a book attributed to Moses, written in the ancient Near East, likely centuries before the common era. It serves as a re-statement and explanation of the laws given to the Israelites, preparing them for life in the promised land. This passage is part of a larger section outlining social and economic regulations, emphasizing care for the vulnerable within the community.
What might it mean to 'open your hand wide' to someone in need within the complexities of modern economic systems?