Why is it important to avoid exploiting others, according to Leviticus 25:37? Setting the Scene Leviticus 25 unfolds during God’s instructions about the Year of Jubilee, a time when debts were canceled and property returned. In that context, verse 37 states: “You must not lend him your silver at interest or sell him your food for profit.” Key Principle Drawn from the Verse • God’s people are forbidden to turn a neighbor’s hardship into a personal gain. • The prohibition targets both money (“silver”) and basic necessities (“food”), covering every avenue through which the vulnerable could be exploited. Why Avoid Exploiting Others? • God’s Ownership – Psalm 24:1 reminds, “The earth is the LORD’s, and the fullness thereof.” We are stewards, not owners; exploiting another image-bearer abuses what ultimately belongs to God. • Redemption Remembered – Leviticus 25:38 immediately grounds the command: “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt.” Exploiting others contradicts the very deliverance God accomplished. • Love of Neighbor – Leviticus 19:18 commands, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Profiting from a brother’s need treats him as a commodity, not family. • Protection from Bondage – Interest-laden loans trap the needy in unending debt. God’s law guards against a new form of slavery (cf. Exodus 22:25). • Holiness Reflected – Leviticus repeatedly calls Israel to be holy because God is holy (Leviticus 19:2). Fair, compassionate dealings mirror His character. • Covenant Blessing or Judgment – Obedience invites God’s favor (Deuteronomy 28:12), while exploitation stores up wrath (James 5:1-6). Echoes in the Rest of Scripture • Deuteronomy 23:19-20 – reinforces the ban on charging interest to fellow Israelites. • Proverbs 14:31 – “Whoever oppresses the poor taunts his Maker.” • Proverbs 19:17 – kindness to the poor is counted as a loan to the LORD. • Micah 6:8 – God requires justice, mercy, and humility. • Luke 6:34-36 – Jesus calls for generosity without expecting return. Living It Out Today • Lend or give without strings attached when someone is in need. • Set fair prices and wages that reflect dignity rather than maximizing profit at others’ expense. • Reject predatory practices—whether payday lending, excessive late fees, or exploitative labor. • Support systems that relieve debt burdens and restore economic freedom. • Cultivate a heart of mercy, remembering God’s mercy toward you. |
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