Closed or Open Hand

Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land. —Dt. 15:11

God recently reminded me that with all He has blessed me with, I needed to do more to help those who are not as fortunate.  I read Moses’ instructions to Israel to help the poor among them. “If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren…thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother:  But thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him…” (Dt. 15:7-8). An open hand symbolizes an open heart ready to give—willingly and freely.

God is the God of an “open hand.” The Psalmist sang of God’s open hand, “Thou openest thine hand, they are filled with good” (Ps. 104:28). This reminded me of the open hands of Jesus as they were nailed to the cross. He did not clinch his fists, but He opened His hands to the nails and provided a way for us to be saved.

Paul exhorts us, “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith” (Gal. 6:10).  He told the elders at Ephesus, “Ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give and to receive” (Acts 20:35).

As we open our hand to help those in need, God promises to bless us (Ps.  41:1-3; Prov. 19:17).  May we keep this in mind during the coming Christmas season.