Caring for the needy in the Old Testament
The Old Testament clearly shows God's demands that His people should care for those in need. Jesus would have been taught these from his childhood, so it is no wonder that we get parables like that in Luke Chapter 14. Look at some of these commands found in the Old Testament:
'Did not your father eat and drink
and do justice and righteousness?
Then it was well with him.
He judged the cause of the poor and needy,
then it was well.
Is not this to know me?
says the Lord?'
2. In Deuteronomy, Chapter 15 we find Moses instructing his people how to treat the poor and needy:
'Give liberally to [them] and be ungrudging when you do so, for on this account the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and all that you undertake. Since there will never cease to be some in need on the earth, I therefore command you, "Open your hand to the poor and needy neighbour in your land." '
3. In Proverbs, Chapter 14 we also find:
'Those who oppress the poor insult their Maker,
but those who are kind to the needy honour him.'
(see also Proverbs 17.5; 19.17; 22.2, 28.8 etc)