How does Deuteronomy 23:20 guide us in lending practices among fellow believers? The command in focus • Deuteronomy 23:20: “You may charge a foreigner interest, but you must not charge your brother interest, so that the LORD your God may bless you in all that you set your hand to in the land you are entering to possess.” Why God drew a line between “brother” and “foreigner” • “Brother” points to those within the covenant family; today, that extends to fellow believers (Galatians 6:10). • God wanted Israel to be a living picture of His grace—mutual care without profiteering. • The exception for foreigners protected Israel’s economic position in a fallen world while keeping relationships inside the covenant pure. The heart behind the prohibition • Compassion for the vulnerable (Exodus 22:25). • Protection from exploitation (Leviticus 25:35-37). • Promotion of unity—no debts festering into bitterness (Nehemiah 5:1-13). • Dependence on the Lord’s blessing rather than gain through interest. New-Testament echoes • Luke 6:34-35—lend “expecting nothing in return.” • Acts 2:44-45; 4:32-35—believers voluntarily met one another’s needs. • 1 John 3:17—love opens the purse as well as the heart. Practical implications for believers today Personal lending • When helping a fellow Christian, treat it as aid, not an income stream—no interest attached. • Put the agreement in writing to preserve clarity and peace (Romans 12:18). • If repayment becomes impossible, be ready to forgive the debt (Matthew 6:12). Business or institutional settings • Receiving or paying normal market interest through banks is not a violation; the passage addresses person-to-person help within the faith family. • If a believer’s business lends to another believer, choose rates that reflect brotherly kindness, not maximum profit. Cultivating a generous lifestyle • Budget margin so you are able to lend (Proverbs 3:27-28). • Prioritize gifts over loans when possible; generosity is a stronger witness than credit. • Remember the attached promise: God Himself honors those who honor this principle (Deuteronomy 23:20b; Proverbs 19:17). Living it out 1. View resources as stewardship under God, not leverage over others. 2. Offer assistance first, terms second. 3. Let mercy triumph over profit, trusting the Lord to supply what interest would have provided (Philippians 4:19). 4. Celebrate stories where believers lighten each other’s burdens—these become testimonies of God’s kingdom in action. |
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