What is gleaning?

Gleaning, described in Lev. 19:9-10, 23:22; Dt. 24:19-22, and illustrated in the life of Ruth, was probably the most important means of providing for the poor in the Old Testament. In Bringing in the Sheaves: Transforming Poverty into Productivity, George Grant describes three principles of charity that these laws, in light of their application in Ruth, teach.

First, “recipients of biblical charity must be diligent workers, unless entirely disabled (Ruth 2:2-7)” Gleaners had to look for and harvest only what was left behind by the main reapers, so their work was difficult, but it preserved their dignity as bearers of God’s image, for part of that image is to work (Gen. 1:26, 2:15).

Discipleship Journal