How does Leviticus 25:16 guide fair land transactions among believers today? Scripture focus “Propportion to the number of years you shall increase its price, and in proportion to the fewness of years you shall diminish its price; for it is the number of harvests that he is selling to you.” (Leviticus 25:16) Context of the command • Chapter 25 lays out the Sabbatical year (every 7th year) and the Jubilee year (every 50th). • Land was never sold permanently (Leviticus 25:23); it was leased until the next Jubilee when it reverted to the original family. • Price, therefore, reflected the remaining harvests, not the land’s ownership itself. Timeless principles drawn from the verse • Ownership ultimately belongs to God; humans are stewards. • Fair pricing considers actual productive value, not opportunity to exploit. • Transactions must be transparent and based on verifiable data (number of crop years). • Buyer and seller bear mutual responsibility for honesty. Practical guidelines for believers today 1. Determine true value, not inflated speculation – Appraise land (or any property) by objective measures: yield potential, comparable sales, zoning, etc. 2. Adjust price for remaining productive use – Long-term lease? Discount for fewer years left. – Easements or restrictions? Reflect them honestly in pricing. 3. Reject hidden costs and surprise fees – Leviticus 25:16 forbids padding price; modern counterpart is full disclosure of taxes, liens, environmental issues. 4. Practice proportionality – Charged rent or lease payments should correlate with what the land can actually produce. 5. Build in avenues for restitution – If misrepresentation surfaces, be ready to refund or renegotiate (cf. Leviticus 6:2-5). 6. Consider Jubilee mentality – Provide paths for families to regain property and financial stability, echoing Deuteronomy 15:7-11. Supporting Scriptures • “Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD, but a just weight is His delight.” (Proverbs 11:1) • “Look, the wages you failed to pay the workmen... are crying out against you.” (James 5:4) • “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” (Luke 6:31) Heart attitudes God desires • Integrity—conduct all negotiations in the open (2 Corinthians 8:21). • Mercy—leave room for the needy to thrive (Leviticus 19:9-10). • Contentment—avoid greed; recognize God’s provision (Hebrews 13:5). When believers honor these principles, land deals become platforms for righteousness, witness, and mutual blessing, fulfilling the spirit and letter of Leviticus 25:16 in today’s marketplace. |
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