Saturday - Deuteronomy 15 - How We Treat the Poor

God always considers the poor (James 2:5, Psalm 41:1, Proverbs 28:27, Luke 4:18 and many other passages).  Here in Deuteronomy 15 God instructed the Jews to forgive their debtors every 7th year... at least, the debtors who were their brethren. Of course, Jesus raised the bar a bit in Luke 6:30 where He admonished us to "Give to every man that asks of us; and of him that takes away our goods ask them not again."  Surely He wasn't serious though, right?

There is always balance in the Scripture. To the debtor, God says that we are to pay our debts (Romans 13:8). From the creditor God requires generosity and patience (Proverbs 28:8). And, those admonitions aren't given for us to use as leverage against others, but for the introspective judgment of our own lives. Whatever the case, clearly God intended for his people to be kind to the "less fortunate" members of their society (Proverbs 19:17).

And, let's not forget the spirit of cheerfulness that God expects from the lender (II Corinthians 9:6 & 7). Indeed, Deuteronomy 15:7, 8, 9 & 10 sets a very high standard of liberality... "If there be among you a poor man of one of your brethren... you shall not harden your heart, nor shut your hand from your poor brother: but you shall open your hand wide unto him, and shall surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he lacks. Beware that there be not a thought in your wicked heart, saying, But, I won't get my money back;' and your eye be evil against your poor brother, and you give him nothing, etc."