Poor
The Mosaic legislation regarding the poor is specially important. (1.) They had the right of gleaning the fields (Lev 19:9, Lev 19:10; Deut 24:19, Deut 24:21).
(2.) In the sabbatical year they were to have their share of the produce of the fields and the vineyards (Ex 23:11; Lev 25:6).
(3.) In the year of jubilee they recovered their property (Lev 25:25–30).
(4.) Usury was forbidden, and the pledged raiment was to be returned before the sun went down (Ex 22:25–27; Deut 24:10–13). The rich were to be generous to the poor (Deut 15:7–11).
(5.) In the sabbatical and jubilee years the bond-servant was to go free (Deut 15:12–15; Lev 25:39–42, Lev 25:47–54).
(6.) Certain portions from the tithes were assigned to the poor (Deut 14:28, Deut 14:29; Deut 26:12, Deut 26:13).
(7.) They shared in the feasts (Deut 16:11, Deut 16:14; Neh 8:10).
(8.) Wages were to be paid at the close of each day (Lev 19:13).
In the New Testament (Luke 3:11; Luke 14:13; Acts 6:1; Gal 2:10; Jas 2:15, Jas 2:16) we have similar injunctions given with reference to the poor. Begging was not common under the Old Testament, while it was so in the New Testament times (Luke 16:20, Luke 16:21, etc.). But begging in the case of those who are able to work is forbidden, and all such are enjoined to “work with their own hands” as a Christian duty (1 Thess 4:11; 2 Thess 3:7–13; Eph 4:28). This word is used figuratively in Matt 5:3; Luke 6:20; 2 Cor 8:9; Rev 3:17.
From Easton’s Bible Dictionary (1897), by Matthew George Easton.
