Exodus 22:25-27
"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. If you take your neighbor's cloak as a pledge, return it by sunset, because that cloak is the only covering your neighbor has. What else can they sleep in? When they cry out to me, I will hear, for I am compassionate."
These verses speak to me of compassion and love for your neighbor. If someone is in need, and I can give or lend it to them, I should not expect to earn interest. And if I make them even less comfortable by taking something they need, I haven't really been helpful. I do think it is human nature to want or expect to repay someone for a kindness, but God's love is meant to be shown freely, as He shows it for us. There should be no "interest" earned.
Holy Lord, thank you for these words of direction and teaching. We should help one another without expecting anything in return. We help another because he needs help, not in order to earn "interest" of any kind. Amen
Becky, transforming
Exodus 22 25-27
We must be mindful of the way we help people. If we give money, remember, we are not a bank. We should do it out of love, not profit. Of course, you should return what you borrow. It was lent to you not given. These are such clear instructions and should be easy to follow.
Prayer: Gracious God, May I always help out of love, not personal gain. Amen
Tuesday, February 20th, 2024
Exodus 22:25-27
“If you lend money to any of my people with you who is poor, you shall not be like a moneylender to him, and you shall not exact interest from him. If ever you take your neighbor's cloak in pledge, you shall return it to him before the sun goes down, for that is his only covering, and it is his cloak for his body; in what else shall he sleep? And if he cries to me, I will hear, for I am compassionate
I totally understand the process of lending money to the less fortunate. Coming from a large family, I have done this many times. I have a brother who is homeless,…
Exodus 22:25-27
Continuing the theme of our Lenten study, generous giving can be seen as foolish by many. “What’s in it for me?” seems to be the hidden agenda in giving. As Scripture tells us, generous giving is a reflection of God’s compassion. If this is foolishness, then so be it. In a world where some major bank credit cards have interest rates over 20% trapping people in unending “minimum payment” debt, followers of Jesus should demonstrate a more excellent way. Indeed, statistics show people of faith give to various charities at consistently higher levels than unbelievers. May we always be providers of the example of God’s compassion.
Prayer - Generous and compassionate God, instill these attributes in my heart…