Read the Daily Bible Verse – Deuteronomy 15:14 To Strengthen Your Spiritual Journey.
Deuteronomy 15:14 is a verse in the Old Testament that speaks about generosity, kindness, and justice. It comes from the laws God gave to the Israelites through Moses. This verse focuses on how to treat a servant when he is released after six years of service.
The Context of Deuteronomy 15:14 KJV
Understanding the Book of Deuteronomy
Deuteronomy is the fifth book of the Bible. It is part of the Torah, or the first five books of Moses. The word “Deuteronomy” means “second law.” It is a book of speeches that Moses gave to the Israelites before they entered the Promised Land. These speeches remind them of God’s laws and promises. Moses wanted to prepare the people to live faithfully under God’s covenant.
Chapter 15 focuses on mercy, generosity, and fairness. God gave laws to help protect the poor and the servants in the land. One of these laws was the release of debts and servants every seventh year, called the “Year of Release.”
The Law of the Seventh Year
Deuteronomy 15 explains that every seventh year, Israelites were to release any Hebrew servant who had served them for six years. This servant could leave freely, without payment. But God went further. He did not want the servant to leave empty-handed. This is where Deuteronomy 15:14 comes in. It shows God’s care for the servant and the call to generosity.
Let us now read the verse.
Deuteronomy 15:14 (KJV)
“Thou shalt furnish him liberally out of thy flock, and out of thy floor, and out of thy winepress: of that wherewith the Lord thy God hath blessed thee thou shalt give unto him.” — Deuteronomy 15:14 (King James Version)
This verse tells the master to give generously to the servant when releasing him. The servant should receive from the flock (livestock), the floor (grain), and the winepress (wine). The master is reminded to share the blessings he received from God.
Deuteronomy 15:14 Meaning
Let us now look at what this verse means in greater detail.
1. “Thou shalt furnish him liberally”
This means that the master should not be stingy or reluctant. He should give freely and generously. The Hebrew word for “furnish” here implies “to load up” or “heap upon.” It was not just a small gift. The servant was to be blessed richly as he left.
This reflects God’s generous nature. He gives freely to His people. In the same way, His people are called to be generous to others, especially those who have served them faithfully.
2. “Out of thy flock, and out of thy floor, and out of thy winepress”
These three parts represent the main sources of wealth and food in Israelite society.
The flock refers to sheep, goats, and cattle.
The floor means the threshing floor, where grain was gathered and stored.
The winepress was used to make wine from grapes.
This verse teaches that generosity should not come only from one area of life. It should come from all that we have—our money, our food, and our resources. God calls for a full-hearted giving, not just a token or leftover.
3. “Of that wherewith the Lord thy God hath blessed thee”
This reminds the master that everything he has comes from God. His success and wealth are not from his own power but from the blessings of God. When we give to others, we are sharing what God has already given to us.
This line teaches humility. We are not owners but stewards of God’s blessings. Therefore, we should not be greedy or selfish with them.
4. “Thou shalt give unto him”
The command is direct and clear. It is not a suggestion or an option. God commands His people to give. It is an act of obedience. Just as God had delivered the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, they were to treat others with mercy and respect.
Deuteronomy 15:14 Application in Life
How can we apply this ancient verse to our lives today? Though we no longer have servants in the same way, the principle behind the verse still applies.
1. Be Generous to Those Who Serve You
Many people serve us in daily life. It could be employees, coworkers, housekeepers, or others. God wants us to treat them fairly and kindly. If someone has worked for you, supported you, or helped you, be generous when the time comes for them to move on.
Maybe it’s an employee leaving a job. Give them a good recommendation. Maybe it’s a friend who helped you through a hard time. Bless them in return. Show them gratitude and kindness.
2. Share God’s Blessings with Others
The verse reminds us that everything we have is from God. Whether it is our money, our home, our time, or our talents—we should use them to bless others. When we see someone in need, we should not hold back. We should give joyfully and generously.
God does not bless us so that we can hoard. He blesses us so we can be a blessing.
3. Practice Justice and Mercy
God’s law in this passage is not just about generosity—it is about justice. Servants were not to be used and discarded. They were to be released with dignity and support. This teaches us to value every human being.
In a world where many people are mistreated or underpaid, Christians are called to live differently. We are called to treat others with fairness, to help the weak, and to lift up those in need.
4. Remember Where Your Blessings Come From
This verse reminds us to never forget the source of our success. It is easy to think we earned everything by our hard work. But as believers, we know all good things come from God.
This truth helps us stay humble. It also helps us trust God more. If He provided before, He can provide again. So we don’t have to fear giving to others. God will take care of us.
5. Prepare Others for the Next Chapter
When someone leaves your life—whether a worker, a student, or even a friend—you have a chance to bless them for the next part of their journey. Think of how you can prepare them well. Maybe it is through a gift, a prayer, or kind words of encouragement.
This is a practical way to live out Deuteronomy 15:14. Help people leave better than they came. Help them succeed beyond your presence in their life.
Examples from the Bible
1. The Exodus from Egypt
God delivered the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. But He did not just free them. He gave them wealth from the Egyptians (Exodus 12:35–36). This was a picture of the principle found in Deuteronomy 15:14. When God sets people free, He blesses them with provision.
2. The Early Church
In the Book of Acts, the early Christians shared all they had. No one among them lacked anything (Acts 4:32–35). This was not just kindness; it was a continuation of the values God gave His people in Deuteronomy.
3. The Prodigal Son
In Luke 15, the father gives gifts to both of his sons. Even when the younger son returns after wasting his inheritance, the father celebrates and provides him with the best robe and a feast. This generosity reflects the heart of God.
Jesus and the Spirit of Deuteronomy 15:14
Jesus often spoke about giving. In Luke 6:38, He said:“Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over…”
This matches the idea in Deuteronomy 15:14. God blesses those who bless others. Jesus also said in Matthew 25 that when we help others—feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, caring for the poor—we are doing it unto Him.
Jesus also fulfilled the law by showing us the ultimate act of generosity: He gave His life so that we might be free. That is the heart of God’s law—not just rules, but love and mercy in action.
Living Out This Verse Today
Here are a few practical ways we can apply Deuteronomy 15:14 in modern life:
In the workplace: Treat employees fairly. Offer bonuses, farewell gifts, or kind words when someone leaves.
In church: Support missionaries or volunteers who have served well. Pray for them and give generously to their needs.
At home: Teach children to share their blessings. Help them understand that giving is part of worship.
In the community: Support those who are transitioning—refugees, the homeless, or people leaving prison. Help them start a new life with hope.
Conclusion
Deuteronomy 15:14 is more than a verse about giving. It is a window into the generous heart of God. It shows that God cares deeply about justice, mercy, and human dignity. When a servant finished his time of service, God wanted him to leave with blessings—not empty-handed, but with provision and hope.
This verse reminds us to be generous, humble, and kind. It teaches us to honor those who serve, to remember where our blessings come from, and to help others move forward with strength. In a world where people are often used and forgotten, God calls His people to live differently. He calls us to give, to love, and to lift others up. May we follow His command in Deuteronomy 15:14 and live generous lives that reflect His grace.
You Might Be Interested In: