A line in the commentary in today's reading on page 267 concerning God's laws on personal rights and remedies is "These civil laws are designed to regulate daily activities in a fair manner for each citizen and to instill a sense of order throughout society."  Today at times it seems as if there is little order in society. However, it we would obey God's laws we would enjoy an equitable, orderly society.  

One of the promises of obedience that God gave was this.
"...you will lend to many nations but will borrow from none..."
Deuteronomy 15:6
What connections can we make today to the United States in regards to borrowing from other nations?

A great welfare system that God put in place – be openhanded toward your brothers. This command from the Lord has some stipulations. It is based on three important words; brother, lend, and need. Open-handedness should be to the brothers (believers and relatives) first. This was to be a loan with the expectation of being paid back, without interest. And it was to be based on needs, not on wants. God said, “There will always be poor in the land.”

John also recorded these same words from Jesus.
John 12:8
You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me."

Jesus was probably talking in this case about the poor in worldly possessions. A woman had just poured out some costly perfume on Jesus (a year's wage to be exact).  Judas wanted the perfume sold and given to the poor (or at least that's what he said).  However, there are also spiritually poor among us. What is our responsibility to them?

We should feed the hungry and give water to the thirsty, but we should also tell them about the "Bread of Life" and the "Living Water".
We should house the homeless, but we should also tell them that in "our Father's house are many mansions".
We should clothe the naked, but we should also tell them about the "garments of righteousness".
We shouldn't really do one without the other.  God called us to do both, to take care of physical needs but to also take care of spiritual needs. Tall order!