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February 22
“Since there will never cease to be some in need on the earth, I therefore command you. ‘Open your hand to the poor and needy neighbor in your land'” -Deuteronomy 15:11, NRSV
“There will always be poor people in the land.” The author of Deuteronomy is not giving a pass to all those who come after since there will always be poor people. We just need to look at a few verses earlier to see how to prevent poverty!
Earlier in verses 4-5, the author says, There will, however, be no one in need among you, because the Lord is sure to bless you in the land that the Lord your God is giving you . . , if only you will obey the Lord your God.
IF we obey God, IF we share what we have, IF we open our hands,
there will be no one in need.
We have a responsibility to care for and work hard to do justice to all people. We have a responsibility to share what we have so that no one has need of anything!
According to the U.S. Census, the official poverty rate in 2021 was 11.6% with 37.9 million people in poverty in the United States alone. We have work to do.
If we break the data down by race:
0.7 % of white people live in poverty
0.8% of Asian people live in poverty
1.5% of Hispanic (any race) live in poverty
1.7% of Black people live in poverty
2.1% of Native American Indian and Alaskan Native live in poverty
Poverty is a justice issue. We have an abundance of resources—so much so that we literally throw food away. We have a large enough abundance of churches, community organizations, people and money that no one should ever experience poverty on our watch. Do not listen to the voices spewing hate, saying that people are lazy or working the system. Do not fall into the lie that “if people just pulled themselves up by their bootstraps,” they would be fine. These are all things used as excuses not to care, excuses to hold on tight to money and possessions, excuses to buy into the greed and hoarding with which our country is infested.
Clearly, according to the U.S. Census statistics, we have a poverty problem and it’s a racial justice problem; just look at the numbers. Black and brown people experience higher rates of poverty than white people. How do we open our hands to the poor and needy in our land? We acknowledge the truth of how systems and communities have kept people poor. We recognize that there is work to be done and we listen to communities of color to see what they truly need and want. We work to make a just world for all of God’s children. We acknowledge that this doesn’t have to continue; we can change the systems and make sure that all have all they need, no matter their skin color or zip code.
IF, we obey God, IF we share what we have, IF we open our hands, there will be no one in need.
PRAYER: God, open our eyes to those around us struggling in poverty. Move us to see, to care and to act. Give us courage to break down systems that keep people in poverty; help us to open our hands and our hearts and our minds to creative and helpful solutions. Amen
Sharon Felton
CBF Congregational Advocacy Manager
Frankfort, Kentucky
Love, Justice & Relationships
The 2024 Emmanuel McCall Lenten Devotional series is prepared by Cooperative Baptist Fellowship family and friends for the season of Lent. The McCall Lenten series features wonderful reflections on God’s Word, thought-provoking questions, prayers, art, music, noteworthy information and resources for action. Available in English and Spanish, this Lenten resource is intended for use by individuals, small groups and congregations.
Join us as we journey together through Lent reflecting on these devotions and their calls to pursue justice for all of God’s people.
This passage is originally found in the 2024 Emmanuel McCall Lenten Devotional series, prepared by Cooperative Baptist Fellowship family and friends. It is a project of love that is designed to be read during the season of Lent, which begins February 14, 2024. Register to receive the daily devotional here.