EXPLORE THE TEXT
Believers are to offer dignity to those in need.
25 “If you lend silver to my people, to the poor person among you,
you must not be like a creditor to him;
you must not charge him interest.
26 If you ever take your neighbor’s cloak as collateral, return it to him before sunset.
27 For it is his only covering;
it is the clothing for his body. What will he sleep in?
And if he cries out to me, I will listen because I am gracious.”
Interest
This represented the crux of the command for ethical finances.
Loans among Israelites were allowed, but charging interest was forbidden,
especially on loans to a poor person.
The prohibition did not apply to foreigners (Deut. 23:19-20).
The poor are specified because they were usually the ones borrowing.
Left unchecked, unscrupulous people would take advantage of a neighbor’s need.
From God’s perspective, care for the poor would be considered the litmus test of covenant obedience,
which includes loving one’s neighbor.
Write the following words on the board:
Interest and Collateral
what comes to mind when they hear these terms.
Record responses under the appropriate word.
verses 25-27 on pages 77-78 of the PSG.
Define Interest and collateral within the context of ancient Israel.
Poor people were more likely to borrow money, so they were more likely to lose their property to lenders.
God’s laws against interest and collateral protected vulnerable members of society.
And, as before, He promised to avenge those who were oppressed by their enemies.
Along with telling His people what not to do out of respect for the less fortunate,
God also identified specific actions they should take to support those who were needy.