Wednesday, 3/11/2015

“What is hell? I maintain that it is the suffering of being unable to love.” 
~ Fyodor Dostoyevsky

DEUTERONOMY 14-16

God commands a time to cancel debts and to always care for the needy and poor...

28At the end of every three years, bring all the tithes of that year’s produce and store it in your towns, 29so that the Levites (who have no allotment or inheritance of their own) and the foreigners, the fatherless and the widows who live in your towns may come and eat and be satisfied, and so that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.

1At the end of every seven years you must cancel debts. 2This is how it is to be done: Every creditor shall cancel any loan they have made to a fellow Israelite. They shall not require payment from anyone among their own people, because the Lord’s time for canceling debts has been proclaimed. 

7If anyone is poor among your fellow Israelites in any of the towns of the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward them. 8Rather, be openhanded and freely lend them whatever they need. 9Be careful not to harbor this wicked thought: “The seventh year, the year for canceling debts, is near,” so that you do not show ill will toward the needy among your fellow Israelites and give them nothing. They may then appeal to the Lord against you, and you will be found guilty of sin. 10Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. 11There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land. 

MARK 13:14-37

Jesus continues to discuss the future and that all should know that no one except God knows when that time will come...

32“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33Be on guard! Be alert^e ! You do not know when that time will come. 34It’s like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with their assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.

35“Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. 36If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. 37What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’ ”

JOURNAL

Although God is very clear about laws and blessings he also is very clear about how we are to view those to whom are indebted to us and to those who are poor and needy.  God is clear to point out that there are times and places for debts to be forgiven and that the Israelites are to always care for the poor.  

God commands to give generously and without a grudging heart.  Lending here is viewed as a way to help and to show grace...not as a means for making money.  

How does this apply in today's world?  I think it ultimately comes back to the heart. If the intent is to harm and see people as objects and means to our own profits and pleasure, then I think that we are treading on dangerous ground.  If our wealth, possessions and treasure are the means in which we place our confidence and hope, then we also are in danger of making it our God.  

I think this is why there are so many verses that apply to money and warnings against it becoming more than it's intent.

15Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” (Luke 12:15)