“Do not move an ancient boundary stone or encroach on the fields of the fatherless. For their Defender is strong, and He will take up their case against you.” Proverbs 23:10-11

God was clear in the Law – His people were to prioritize room in their fields and their lives for the poor. “When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Leave them for the poor and for the foreigner residing among you. I am the Lord your God” (Leviticus 23:22). These sections of their fields, marked with boundary stones, ensured hope and help for vulnerable people such as Ruth, a widow and foreigner (Ruth 2:2-3). The areas became known as the “fields of the fatherless.” But, as we see in Proverbs 23 above, not everyone was eager to reserve space for those less fortunate. How tempting it must have been to slide that boundary stone over, perhaps even just a little bit each day!

In the Old Testament, the “poor” included the orphan, widow, foreigner, and prisoner (Psalm 68:5-6, Deut. 10:18, Psalm 146:9), and the New Testament highlights the orphan and widow in James 1:27. Today, in addition to these, there may be others God is calling us to see, affirm, protect, and provide for. Who is often overlooked or forgotten? Who does not have an easy path to acceptance and achievement in this world? Who is most prone to loneliness and despair? How about the veteran? The student with special needs? The person with a mental health diagnosis? The person still trying to learn English? And do we have room in our fields? In our hearts? In our pews? Around our tables?

If our family does not include those who are most vulnerable, we are no family of God! For God says in connection with his expectation of us to care for the poor, “I am the Lord your God.” As a father of three who have been orphans and two with special needs, I can say that it is not easy but it is worth it to arise with the Lord and to stand with and for the vulnerable (Psalm 68:1-6).

Our church has long had a “Helping Hand” fund to assist with financial needs within our church family and community. Last year, however, we determined to pause the “community arm” of Helping Hand and to pray the Lord would grow us in wisdom and resources so that we could provide better help. I am so blessed to say that God has been faithful to hear our prayers, and very soon we will be sharing some fresh vision for Helping Hand – not just for the fund, but for a whole benevolence ministry.

Would you pray with us about this priority and ask God to grow us in sharing in His heart and plan for the poor among and around us? And let’s look forward to what the Lord will do!