The Jews had a practice that after the fields were harvested there was always some left behind, the poor were welcome then to go to the fields and harvest this for themselves. In other words they were welcome to work to provide for themselves. They were probably thankful for the opportunity to provide for their families in a way that was not charity, but gave them some pride.
"I have reread new testament."
Reminds me of a story told about the late WC Fields. When he was on his death bed, a visitor was surprised to find Fields sitting up reading the Bible. Knowing that Fields was not a religious man, the visitor asked why he was reading the Bible. Fields replied, "Ah yes, looking for loopholes."