Relieving, in the biblical context, often refers to the act of providing aid, comfort, or alleviation to those in need. This concept is deeply rooted in the teachings of both the Old and New Testaments, where believers are called to demonstrate compassion and mercy towards others, reflecting God's own nature.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the principle of relieving the poor and needy is embedded in the Law and the Prophets. The Israelites were commanded to care for the less fortunate as an expression of their covenant relationship with God. Deuteronomy 15:11 states, "For there will never cease to be poor in the land; therefore I command you to open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor in your land." This directive underscores the perpetual responsibility of God's people to provide relief to those in distress.

The practice of gleaning, as outlined in Leviticus 19:9-10, is another example of institutionalized relief. Landowners were instructed not to harvest the edges of their fields or gather the gleanings, leaving them for the poor and the foreigner. This provision ensured that the marginalized had access to sustenance.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the call to relieve those in need is amplified through the teachings and example of Jesus Christ. Jesus' ministry was marked by acts of compassion and healing, serving as a model for His followers. In Matthew 25:35-36 , Jesus emphasizes the importance of caring for others: "For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you looked after Me; I was in prison and you visited Me."

The early church continued this mission of relief, as seen in Acts 2:44-45 , where believers shared their possessions to ensure that no one among them was in need. The apostle Paul also encouraged the churches to support the poor, particularly through the collection for the saints in Jerusalem (Romans 15:26).

Theological Implications

Relieving the needy is not merely a social obligation but a spiritual act that reflects the heart of God. Proverbs 19:17 declares, "Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender." This verse highlights the divine reward associated with acts of mercy, suggesting that God Himself values and honors such deeds.

Furthermore, the act of relieving others is a tangible expression of love, which is the greatest commandment (Matthew 22:37-39). It is through these acts of kindness and generosity that believers demonstrate their faith and obedience to God's will.

Practical Application

Believers are encouraged to actively seek opportunities to relieve those in need, whether through personal acts of charity, participation in church ministries, or support of Christian organizations dedicated to humanitarian aid. James 1:27 reminds us, "Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."

In summary, relieving others is a fundamental aspect of Christian discipleship, rooted in the character of God and the teachings of Scripture. It is a call to embody the love and compassion of Christ in a world that is often marked by suffering and need.1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Relieve.

2. (a.) Serving or tending to relieve.

7272. regel -- foot
... 1), footsteps (1), footstool* (6), four-footed* (1), haunt (1), heels (1), hoof*
(1), journey (1), legs (5), pace (2), relieve* (1), relieving* (1), step (1 ...
/hebrew/7272.htm - 6k

5526a. sakak -- to overshadow, screen, cover
... screen, cover NASB Word Usage cover (2), covered (4), covering (3), covers (1),
incite (1), made a covering (1), relieve* (1), relieving* (1), screen (1 ...
/hebrew/5526a.htm - 5k

Whether Alms Should be Given in Abundance?
... On the part of the recipient, an alms may be abundant in two ways; first, by relieving
his need sufficiently, and in this sense it is praiseworthy to give alms ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether alms should be given.htm

The Great Duty of Charity Recommended
... Paul; no, but if we are any ways capable of relieving them without injuring either
ourselves, or families, then it is our duty to do it; and this never faileth ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/the great duty of charity.htm

Conclusion.
... With the power, under God, of relieving the sorrowful, enlightening the ignorant,
elevating the degraded, and diffusing a vital energy through every pore of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/clark/the faithful steward/conclusion.htm

Keeping and Kept
... there is one sure way of securing these. Our second text tells us whence
the relieving force must come. If we are to keep our hearts ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/keeping and kept.htm

Submit Yourselves Therefore to God. James 4:7.
... desired. Suppose you see a beggar, as mentioned last week, and you give
him a loaf of bread. You aim at relieving the beggar. That ...
/.../finney/lectures to professing christians/submit yourselves therefore to god.htm

Honorable Submission
... Mrs. Johnson was pleased to the extent of presenting me with an extra three dollars
and relieving me from the dining room, she appointed me in charge of the ...
/.../chapter viii honorable submission.htm

The Warfare of Christian Service
... IV. The Relieving Guard. This metaphor of warfare is used in the Book of Job,
in a passage where our English Version does not show it. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the warfare of christian service.htm

The Epistle Written by Malchion,
... words, they proceed thus:"We wrote to many of the bishops, even those who live at
a distance, and exhorted them to give their help in relieving us from this ...
/.../malchion/the epistle of malchion/i the epistle written by malchion.htm

Appendix (Referred to in Note 1)
... signify laying up by way of careful, thoughtful providence beforehand, but only
taking care of for the present, as we are able, relieving, maintaining, giving ...
/.../groves/christian devotedness/appendix referred to in note.htm

That we Ought to Give Ourselves to God with Regard to Things Both ...
... The possibilities and necessity of prayer, its power and results are manifested
in arresting and changing the purposes of God and in relieving the stroke of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bounds/purpose in prayer/chapter ii that we ought.htm

Relieving (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Relieve. 2. (a.) Serving or tending
to relieve. Multi-Version Concordance Relieving (1 Occurrence). ...
/r/relieving.htm - 6k

Discharge (30 Occurrences)
... 14. (n.) The act of discharging; the act of relieving of a charge or load; removal
of a load or burden; unloading; as, the discharge of a ship; discharge of a ...
/d/discharge.htm - 18k

Relieveth (1 Occurrence)

/r/relieveth.htm - 6k

Relief (32 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The act of relieving, or the state of being relieved; the removal, or partial
removal, of any evil, or of anything oppressive or burdensome, by which ...
/r/relief.htm - 16k

Palace (194 Occurrences)
... The "soldiers that kept" him would, on relieving one another on guard, naturally
spread the tidings regarding him among their comrades. ...
/p/palace.htm - 40k

Cool (8 Occurrences)
... 3:24 When he had gone, the servants came; and when they saw that the doors of the
roof chamber were locked, they thought, "He is only relieving himself in the ...
/c/cool.htm - 10k

Closet (3 Occurrences)
... 3:24 When he had gone, the servants came; and when they saw that the doors of the
roof chamber were locked, they thought, "He is only relieving himself in the ...
/c/closet.htm - 9k

Spell (2 Occurrences)
... n.) The relief of one person by another in any piece of work or watching; also,
a turn at work which is carried on by one person or gang relieving another; as ...
/s/spell.htm - 8k

Roof (55 Occurrences)
... 3:24 When he had gone, the servants came; and when they saw that the doors of the
roof chamber were locked, they thought, "He is only relieving himself in the ...
/r/roof.htm - 24k

Redeemer (42 Occurrences)
... own account. This would do away with the plan of redeeming men by merely
relieving them of the consequences of their sins. Out of ...
/r/redeemer.htm - 45k

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