John Calvin Commentary Deuteronomy 15:11

"For the poor will never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt surely open thy hand unto thy brother, to thy needy, and to thy poor, in thy land." — Deuteronomy 15:11 (ASV)

For the poor shall never cease out of the land. The notion¹⁴⁷ of those is far-fetched, who suppose that there would always be poor men among them because they would not keep the law, and consequently the land would be barren on account of their unrighteousness.

I admit that this is true; but God does not here ascribe it to their sins that there would always be some beggars among them, but only reminds them that there would never be a lack of opportunity for their generosity, because He would test what was in their hearts by setting the poor before them.

For (as I have observed above), this is why the rich and poor meet together, and the Lord is the maker of them all; because otherwise the duties of charity would not be observed unless they put them into practice by assisting each other. Therefore, God, to stir up the inactivity of the rich, declares that He prescribes nothing but what continual necessity will require.

¹⁴⁷ “I know that ye will not obey me with a perfect heart, and therefore my blessing shall be lessened towards you, and there shall be poor among you.” Hebrew commentators quoted in Munster and Fagius. — Poole’s Syn. poor among you.” Hebrew commentators quoted in Munster and Fagius. — Poole’s Syn.