If you lend money to one of my people among you who is needy, do not treat it like a business deal; charge no interest. Exodus 22:25
“There were occasions that could easily result in dire economic straits for an Israelite family (e.g. severe injury or illness of the male provider, natural disaster of some sort that wiped out crops, such as a locust plague), and the only way to obtain daily provisions, at least temporarily, was to ask a fellow Israelite for help. The ideal, of course, is that food would be given to the poor, but in order to restart one’s herds or plant one’s crops, the needy family would likely have to borrow (e.g. a pregnant animal or seed for grain crops). The laws of the OT did not prohibit such borrowing but it did prohibit Israelite moneylenders from ever charing interest on loans to their kinsmen. Moreover, the laws of the sabbatical year and the Year of Jubilee (Leviticus 25; Deuteronomy 15:1-11) were years for wiping out such loans.”
Verlyn D. Verbrugge & Keith R. Krell in Paul and Money: A Biblical and Theological Analysis of the Apostle’s Teachings and Practices (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2015) 266.
As we continue to think about Jubilee and its relationship to generosity, we see another strong connection to the teachings of Jesus foreshadowed in this amazing OT concept.
The ideal of aiding the needy in tangible ways and charging them no interest surfaces as God’s design in the Law and is echoed by Jesus when He pointed us to love God and love our neighbors as ourselves (Luke 10:27).
Think about it in modern terms. A family member gets sick, has a car crash, or loses a job. Whatever the crisis, you need help in real, tangible ways. What would generosity look like to you? You need to be helped not exploited.
This is the role of the church. We are the Body of Christ, so “the ideal” must become the norm so people see Jesus in us. Like the Good Samaritan must “go and do likewise” and aid the needy around us (Luke 10:25-37)!
I flew to NYC (LaGuardia) last night and arrived just before sunset (pictured above). I am preaching five services (with simultaneous translation) at Bethel International Church in Queens. I’d appreciate your prayers.
This is the first of three visits to this church over the next few weeks. My message is entitled “Stewarding Abundance” which will survey OT teachings linked to handling money. In a word, I’ll proclaim, “Jubilee!”
I plan to return on On 25 November 2018 to preach on “Abundant Life” summing up the Gospels. Then, Jenni will join me on 9 December to teach on “Sharing Abundantly” looking at the early church in the rest of the NT.