God’s economy presented here to the Israelites seems to be very generous. If you are in debt to another, that debt is cancelled every seven years. From the reading, it appears the cycle is the same for everyone (except foreigners). On a given day, all debts with other Israelites are forgiven and life goes on. Can you imagine doing business like that?
God’s promised blessing was for those who obeyed. Who wouldn’t want to obey God to have their debts forgiven every seven years? I realize I’m writing these words in a time when the economy has taken a big hit from a pandemic. Many are wondering how they are going to make their mortgage payments and car payments. They are watching their credit card debt skyrocket. Oh, to have a year of release coming up would be like answered prayer! Some communities around the world are doing something to lessen the financial blow by not expecting payments for rent or other debts, no interest or penalty charges to be applied, and so forth. That will be a huge relief to many.
Yet, the underlying meaning here for us to resonate with is generosity. Can you imagine being the one holding loans for people? When the time comes, you know you’ll receive nothing more. But there was always enough. Moses told them, “You will lend money to many nations but will never need to borrow. You will rule many nations, but they will not rule over you.” Being a nation that has plenty sounds like a utopian situation, doesn’t it?
Even today, rich countries like the United States are also filled with countless poor people. There are huge gaps in the distribution of wealth. You see that in other countries, too. We could only dream of the reality Moses describes, “There should be no poor among you, for the Lord your God will greatly bless you in the land he is giving you as a special possession.” Notice he says, “should be.” He later in this passage admits, “There will always be some in the land who are poor.” And Moses gives this counsel, “That is why I am commanding you to share freely with the poor and with other Israelites in need.” Bottom line – be generous!
We need to share freely with the poor, too. How we do that is up to us. Keep in mind it is so much better to teach the poor ways they can live differently so as to care for themselves and not feel the desperation of poverty. If we give them food today and they eat it, it’s gone tomorrow, and they will be hungry again. How much more helpful it would be to teach them how to raise their own food, help them learn a skill, and support them with love and encouragement along with the generosity.
We see here that if the people obeyed God’s laws about finances, they would be okay financially. Not necessarily rich, but certainly comfortable. There is a lot of peace knowing you have enough money and will be taken care of. God didn’t intend for us to think that being in debt was “normal.” On the contrary, he expected people should limit their debt and have what debt they do have wiped clean every seven years.
I’ve heard it said that getting out of debt is like floating upstream. It can’t be done. But it can be done with hard work and deliberate actions. Like using a great set of oars or paddles to help navigate upstream. To get out of debt these days, we need to make choices, go without certain things, stop spending money we don’t have. So much of our debt is based on what we “want” rather than what we “need.”
Take some time today to wrestle with your own financial picture. Are you being faithful to God and being generous with others? Are you spending more than you should on the “wants” of life? Ask God to help you make wiser choices with your money.
Let’s pray… Lord, forgive me for my impulsive purchases. May I make sure that everything I invest in has a purpose for good. It gives me such joy to give to those less fortunate. Help me to continue to give generously in this way. Show me where the needs are. Overflow my bank account so I can be more giving. Give me your wisdom to make good choices. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
