幾年前，我們教會受邀接待一些難民。他們的國家因政權轉移而動盪不安，使他們不得不逃離祖國。這些難民家庭來的時候只帶了一個小包能裝得下的物品。我們教會有好幾個家庭都樂意接待他們，而有些家庭即使沒有多餘的空間，也願意收留一些人。

這些人對難民的熱心款待，反映了以色列民在進入應許之地時，上帝對他們的再三囑咐（申命記24章19-21節）。在農業社會裡，人們深知農作物的收成非常重要，因這關係到能否安然過冬，撐到明年開春。因此，上帝指示以色列民在收割莊稼時，那些剩下的，「要留給寄居的與孤兒寡婦」（19節），這也是要他們學習信靠上帝。以色列百姓以實際行動慷慨待人，並不是知道自己夠用才給別人，而是相信上帝的供應。

這種慷慨待人也提醒以色列民，從前「在埃及作過奴僕」（18、22節）。他們曾經遭受逼迫，貧苦窮困。當他們慷慨待人，就是記念上帝向他們施恩，拯救他們脫離奴役。

基督徒也同樣被敦促要慷慨待人，如同保羅提醒我們：「[基督]本來富足，卻為你們成了貧窮，叫你們因祂的貧窮，可以成為富足」（哥林多後書8章9節）。我們能夠給人，是因為祂已經先給了我們。

A few years ago, our church was invited to host refugees fleeing their country after a tumultuous change in political leadership. Entire families came with only what they could fit in a small bag. Several of our church families opened their homes, including some who had little room to spare. 

Their gracious hospitality reflects God’s triple command to the Israelites when they entered the promised land (Deuteronomy 24:19-21). As an agricultural society, they understood the importance of the harvest. The crops were essential to get them through until next year. This makes God’s command to “leave [some] for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow” (v. 19) also a request to trust Him. The Israelites were to practice generosity not by giving only when they knew they had enough but giving out of a heart that trusts God’s provision. 

Such hospitality was also a reminder “that [they] were slaves in Egypt” (vv. 18, 22). They were once oppressed and destitute. Their generosity was a reminder of God’s graciousness to them in freeing them from bondage.

Believers in Jesus are similarly urged to be generous. Paul reminds us, “Though [Christ] was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9). We give because He gave to us.