Deuteronomy 15:7-11
If there is a poor man among your brothers in any of the towns of the land that the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother. Rather be openhanded and freely lend him whatever he needs. Be careful not to harbor this wicked thought: "The seventh year, the year for canceling debts, is near," so that you do not show ill will toward your needy brother and give him nothing. He may then appeal to the Lord against you, and you will be found guilty of sin. Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land.
It’s very evident from the above passage that a hard heart and a tight fist go together. Some ask “If God is so concerned about the poor, why does he not remove their poverty?” The answer is “God works through human channels and when the channels become narrow (hardhearted/tightfisted) God’s plan of alleviating poverty goes awry.”
So how much to give and with how much will God be pleased? The answer is “As much as we can give with a cheerful heart.”
And we can improve as we grow closer to the Lord. The Bible says,
“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. (2 Corinthians 9:8)
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