Deuteronomy 23:24
“When you enter your neighbor’s vineyard, then you may eat grapes until you are fully satisfied, but you shall not put any in your basket.”
God cares for our needs. Even down to the basic ones, hunger and thirst. He makes allowances for us to have a meal of produce that doesn’t belong to us. Our issue maybe a lack of preparedness or possibly a lack of funds. Whatever the case. We are hungry. This passage allows one to have a meal from another’s field. The owner isn’t to post the “no trespassing” signs. They are to allow the needy to take enough for a meal. Keeping in mind that these were laws that applied to Old Testament Israel.
Worry is a common problem. Jesus illustrates this in Matthew 6:26 “Look at the birds of the air: They do not sow or reap or gather into barns—and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” We get worked up in worry often. Our needs can be social, performance related, about our health and more. It’s how life is. We all have plenty to worry about. Yet, God knows our needs.
If we understand God’s nature, we know that He will give what’s needed. We are to do our best. The birds in the above passage were busy attending to feeding. So we must be doing our best. Yet, we are to leave the outcome to God. I’ve heard it said, “Do your best and commit the rest.”
In today’s passage on the vineyard, the owner is to allow those that pass by to pull grapes for food. This could cause the owner to get anxious. Will there be enough food remaining on the vines for his family and business? God partially addresses this by saying that the passer by can only take a meals worth. However that person could get anxious. This person is also to trust God that there will be enough. A generous spirit is to be adopted.
Lord, help us not to worry. You’ll make sure we have enough.