How does Leviticus 25:36 reflect God's character and expectations for His people? “Do not take any interest or profit from him, but fear your God, so that your countryman may live among you.” Why this verse matters • God links economic behavior to reverence for Him • The command safeguards life and dignity for the vulnerable • It sets God’s people apart from exploitative cultures around them God’s character revealed • Compassion – He notices the hardship of a struggling “countryman” and acts to relieve it (Psalm 103:13) • Generosity – He gives freely and calls His people to mirror that generosity (James 1:17) • Holiness – His standards differ from the world’s profit-driven norms (Leviticus 19:2) • Justice – He refuses systems that trap the weak in perpetual debt (Isaiah 61:8) What God expects from His people • Interest-free help when a brother is in need (Exodus 22:25) • Motivations shaped by the fear of God, not financial gain (Proverbs 14:31) • Commitment to keep fellow Israelites “living among” them—full participation in covenant community • Practical mercy that treats every loan as an opportunity to love a neighbor (Matthew 5:7) Echoes through the Law and Prophets • Deuteronomy 23:19-20 – No interest on loans to a brother • Psalm 15:5 – The righteous “lends his money without interest” • Proverbs 19:17 – Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD Himself • Isaiah 58:6-7 – True worship frees the oppressed and shares bread with the hungry New Testament harmony • Luke 6:35 – “Love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return.” • Acts 4:34-35 – Early believers voluntarily relieved debts and needs • Galatians 6:2 – Bearing one another’s burdens fulfills the law of Christ • James 2:15-17 – Faith proves itself through tangible care Living it out today • Examine personal lending or business practices for hidden exploitation • Offer assistance—loans, gifts, job referrals—without strings attached • Cultivate a heart that sees every needy believer as family • Remember God’s ownership of all possessions; we steward, not hoard • Let awe of God, not fear of loss, guide financial decisions Key takeaways • God’s compassionate, generous, holy, and just nature drives the command of Leviticus 25:36 • He calls His people to tangible mercy that preserves life and community • When believers refuse to profit from another’s hardship, they reflect the very heart of their Lord |
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