Changi Chapel

Giving from your heart to those in need….

In Luke 11:41, Jesus says, “But now as for what is inside you—be generous to the poor, and everything will be clean for you (NIV).

Another translation renders this as “But give from your heart to those in need, and then everything will be clean for you” (NET)

What is this connection that Jesus is making between being generous to the poor and to be ceremonially clean?

Every orthodox Jew lives by a strict code of laws that determines what they can touch, what they can eat and what they must avoid.

But Jesus is being radical by telling the Pharisee that if they gave generously to the poor, it is as good as observing all those strict laws of kosher.

We see the same truth that Daniel is telling Nebuchadnezzar in Dan 4:27 “Break away….. from your iniquities by showing mercy to the poor. Perhaps your prosperity will be prolonged.”

This verse also highlights this truth that showing mercy to the poor atones for our sins. When you give to the poor from your heart, it has a cleansing effect on the person.

So when did you last truly care for the poor?