Can I pray for you in any way? Send any prayer requests to faithhopegodlove@aol.com In Christ, Mark
"If you lend money to one of my people among you who is needy, do not be like a moneylender; charge him no interest. If you take your neighbor's cloak as a pledge, return it to him by sunset, because his cloak is the only covering he has for his body. What else will he sleep in? When he cries out to me, I will hear, for I am compassionate." Exodus 22:25-27
After addressing matters of unacceptable worship and their accompanying rituals, God gives Israel guidance on how to care for the disadvantaged in their society. It’s obvious that God first and then His Son Jesus had a special love and empathy for the needy. It’s also just as obvious that the Lord expects us to act likewise whether it is toward the alien, the widow, the orphan or anyone else in need.
In today’s scripture, God address the matter of money lending, a practice that was practiced then as it is now. Farmers and other businessmen would often borrow money to either finance their next crop planting or business venture. And just as today, the agreement would include paying the money back to the lender with interest.
It’s also obvious in our scripture that money was lent out between the people of Israel, much like we might spot someone a few dollars today to help them out. Well, God addressed this matter of loaning money by building in protections for the needy. He said, "If you lend money to one of my people among you who is needy, do not be like a moneylender; charge him no interest." Notice where this was a command from God. He didn’t say, "you shouldn’t charge the needs interest." He said, "…charge him no interest." Indeed, God was watching out for the less fortunate and an interest free loan would be a welcome relief for one who was trying to make ends meet.
Here are some other scripture passages that dealt with this matter:
" 'If one of your countrymen becomes poor and is unable to support himself among you, help him as you would an alien or a temporary resident, so he can continue to live among you. Do not take interest of any kind from him, but fear your God, so that your countryman may continue to live among you. You must not lend him money at interest or sell him food at a profit." Leviticus 25:35-37
"Do not charge your brother interest, whether on money or food or anything else that may earn interest. You may charge a foreigner interest, but not a brother Israelite, so that the LORD your God may bless you in everything you put your hand to in the land you are entering to possess." Deuteronomy 23:19-20
"He does not lend at usury or take excessive interest. He withholds his hand from doing wrong and judges fairly between man and man." Ezekiel 18:8
Question: Have you ever loaned anyone money that was in need? Did you expect them to pay back any interest on that loan? Did you even expect them to pay you back at all?
That might sound crazy but consider the words of Jesus who took this matter of compassion for the needy to a new level. You may remember this parable:
"Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. "The servant fell on his knees before him. 'Be patient with me,' he begged, 'and I will pay back everything.'The servant's master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go. "But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him. 'Pay back what you owe me!' he demanded. "His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.' "But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened. "Then the master called the servant in. 'You wicked servant,' he said, 'I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?' In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed. "This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart." Matthew 18:23-35
Jesus takes the matter of debt repayment to a different plain. Most of us will be down and out at sometime or another in our lives. And when we’re there, we will be looking for love and compassion…praying to the Lord for Him to make the way clear in accordance with His will. Often times, this happens in the way of a brother or sister who is able to pitch in and help you get out of the red and into the black in a time of need. After all, where does our provision come from anyways? Isn’t it God who ordains our ability to work and earn sustenance? We need to keep in mind that all we have is a result of God’s abundant blessing on our lives. Our money is really His money and He expects us to be good stewards of it. If you see someone down and out, pray about that situation and see if God isn’t maybe calling on you to help out in some way. And if He is, respond in obedience knowing He holds a special place in His heart for the needy.
Jesus said, "Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy." (Matthew 5:7) Just by merit of me writing this and you soon to read it, we know God has shown us awesome mercy and grace through His Son Jesus. Truly, we’ve been richly blessed with the gift of life and the abundance of God’s unconditional love. It’s now up to us to show these same things to someone else…to bless their lives by showing them an abundance of love and mercy and grace. And in doing these things, we will allow others to see a glimpse of Jesus in us…the same Jesus who God gave to pay our debts in full on the cross at Calvary…and we were never charged us a penny of interest. Reflect on this as you continue to move through the Lenten season and Easter. Amen.
In Christ,
Mark
PS: Please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it.
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