The Edge of Your Field

Old Testament Law can seem like a collection of rituals and rules that are meaningless and outdated. Suggesting that we shouldn’t wear clothes of mixed cloth like cotton and polyester would today be weird at best.

However, many of the basic messages God was communicating to His people back then are still relevant to us today. While certain laws are no longer binding, the underlying principle remains.

An example of this would be Leviticus 23:22: “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.”

In an agrarian society, the verse seems straightforward. The Israelites are not to reap (gather, harvest) to the edges of their fields. In other words, they are not to gain all they can from what they have planted. Rather, they are to leave the edges of their land unharvested so that the poor and the traveler (or foreigner) may eat.

The concluding statement of the verse (“I am the Lord your God”) emphasizes that they are to obey in light of who God is: just and compassionate. He is worthy to be obeyed, and they can honor Him by allowing the poorer members of the community to glean in their fields. He is the authority, but He also cares for the oppressed, the widow, the outcast, and the alien. The message? Do not take full advantage of your resources, but be generous, even when it costs you.

We see this theme throughout the Bible, first modeled by God. Boaz in the story of Ruth is portrayed as a kind, honorable, God-fearing man who runs a complex operation yet makes sure those who come to him in need find what they are looking for. In 1 Samuel 24:24, David declares, “I will not sacrifice unto the Lord that which costs me nothing.” Psalm 37:26 blesses those who give generously and “lend freely.”

In the New Testament, Jesus honors the widow who gives out of her poverty, not her wealth, and validates the principle of giving even at personal cost. New Testament believers are characterized by eagerly sharing everything and even selling what they have to meet others’ needs. Paul encourages the Corinthians to give, saying they will be blessed (“enriched”) so that they can be generous “on every occasion” and honor the Lord by giving and supplying the needs of His people (2 Cor. 9:11-12). Finally, 2 Corinthians 9:7 encourages Christians to give not reluctantly or to fulfill a duty but cheerfully and sacrificially. True generosity is not gleaning to the edges of one’s field but giving the harvest away.

Of course the message here is not to go out and plant a field or be wasteful by not gleaning all of it. The moral is neither to give beyond our means nor give only the leftovers away. Rather, we are to cheerfully give of our time, energy, and agenda for the kingdom of God.

Our resources and time do not just belong to us. We have our plans, but we should also make room for the purposes of God. The Israelites worshipped the same God that I do. God gave Israel instructions for how to serve and please Him. He was at work in their lives, and He continues to work in ours.

Not “reaping to the edge of our fields” includes not filling up our schedule but being available for the unexpected things God might arrange. A spontaneous conversation. An opportunity to help someone in need. A chance to brighten someone’s day or listen or share a kind word. Whatever the case, God is watching, and if we give Him the edge of our field, somehow I don’t think we need to worry about ever having enough.