The Hebrew word tzedakah is often translated "righteousness," as today's passages. Believers often take it to mean spiritual "rightness" or "justification." This is reflected in (Genesis 15:6), where Abraham's trust in God's promise is "credited to him as righteousness." It is the reward gained by the people of Israel if they obeyed God's commandments (Deuteronomy 6:25). And it is what Paul is talking about in (Romans 4) and in (Galatians 3).
Yet from other passages we know the biblical concept is more inclusive, encompassing our entire person and all of society. From today's verses we see that righteousness is also an action that must be done, and (Proverbs 21:21) states that DOING righteousness RESULTS in righteousness. This is what James explains in chapter 2 when he states that "faith without works is dead." And so, our faith in God's saving mercy gives birth to a tzedakah reality within us, but it must find expression externally in the form of practical love. That expression will then yield a broader tzedakah, a restoration of the whole person, of society, and of all creation-a true and just shalom/peace. This outward-facing active love is the Lord's yardstick used in (Matthew 25:31-46).
Jewish tradition interprets tzedakah to mean practical charity; it is not optional but required of the individual and the community. Every Jew, even if he is poor, is commanded to give ten percent of his income to charity. Interestingly, simple alms-giving is frowned upon as the lowest form of charity because it shames the recipient and encourages dependency. The highest form is partnership with the needy person to help lift them out of poverty through a business venture or a no-interest loan.
The Body of Christ in our land should adopt this same attitude so that we not only break our "poverty mentality" and build each other up, but "so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 5:16).
(All scriptures quoted from the ESV.)
- 4 NOVEMBER -