Text: Deuteronomy 15:1-23
The Sabbatical year is the 7 th year of a seven-year cycle. Every 7 th year debts were to be cancelled. This command contributes to the alleviation of poverty (v.4), “…there shall be no poor among you…” (ESV). Loaning money to fellow Israelites was not to be for the purpose of getting wealthy, it was to help one another. The land, money, etc. were gifts from God, they were not from being a good businessman. If a man helped the poor, it did not mean the helper would also become poor. God will care for the giver, and He will care for the poor
through the generosity of the giver.
The Sabbatical year is no longer required, but concern and generosity are. As Jesus did His public ministry, He cared for the poor (John13:29); Paul mentions that he is eager to support the poor (Gal.2:10); and Paul collected offerings from gentile Christians to give to the poor Christians in Jerusalem (Rom.15:26).
Let us be eager to help our poor brethren, either with gifts or with loans (without interest). Everything you have is from God, and He will care for you.
Meditate on verses 1 – 5. How are you going to apply them to your life?
Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, I pray that I will carefully obey Your voice. Amen.