Modern Gleaning

Allowing the poor to glean fields after the main harvest was ideally suited to the agriculturally-based society of ancient Israel. Yet there are ways to allow the poor to live off the excess of modern, information-based culture. Homes, offices, churches, factories, restaurants, hospitals, military installations, airports, and farms generate tons of valuable leftovers. Some fill up online auctions, garage sales, used goods stores, and used car lots. Some are recycled, burned, or buried in landfills. Many of these leftovers could instead be used to benefit the poor. The spirit of gleaning at least encourages us to consider our options.

* How could programs, organizations, and establishments that give (or sell at thrift rates) used clothing and other goods to the poor be expanded and made more efficient?

* Is there excess public transportation capacity that could be made available to the poor at low cost or no cost?

* What laws could make it easier for the poor to pursue higher education or self-employment?

* What projects and processes might intentionally use human muscle power rather than machines to allow more people to work?

* Where could local churches develop partnerships with businesses to channel remaindered, returned, and used goods to the poor?

* How could the food industry better coordinate with soup kitchens and homeless shelters to use excess food rather than throw it away?

As Christians, it is our duty to love our neighbors as ourselves. Working to improve the lives of the poor is an important way for us to follow this commandment. What might we do in our individual personal lives to help the less fortunate?

Taken from The Modern Life Study Bible