Have you ever heard about the practice of gleaning? Gleaning is when people gather leftover grains or fruits from a field after the main harvest is done. In the Old Testament times, this was a way God provided for the poor and foreigners in the land. The Bible, specifically in Leviticus 19, instructs farmers not to harvest their crops all the way to the edges of the field and to leave some of the fallen grains and grapes for the needy to collect.
In many European countries like England and France, similar laws were put in place to help the poor. In England, churches used to ring bells in the morning and evening to signal the start and end of gleaning.
In Vietnam, some of our grandparents and parents might have worked in the fields or even gleaned before. Today, a lot of kids use technology with their phones, iPads, and video games. But in the past, a lot of people had to take a bag out into the fields with them to provide for their families. What they gleaned could be cooked and ate, or they could sell it to buy things like food and clothes.
Nowadays, while gleaning isn’t as common, the spirit of helping those in need continues. People can support each other through various means, whether by donating food, volunteering, or simply being kind and considerate. It’s a reminder that God’s care for everyone, especially the vulnerable, is a timeless message. Let’s cherish and share our blessings, just as the farmers left part of their harvest for others.
Learn more:
