May the mumbling commence!
Oh, to have debt canceled! What a release it is! Israel was supposed to practice the release of debtors and slaves every seven years. Would that it be the way of our world! It would be the greatest boon to the most vulnerable in our midst. Read from Deuteronomy chapter fifteen:
"At the end of every seventh year you must cancel your debts. This is how it must be done. Creditors must cancel the loans they have made to their fellow Israelites. They must not demand payment from their neighbors or relatives, for the Lord's time of release has arrived. This release from debt, however, applies only to your fellow Israelites – not to the foreigners living among you. There should be no poor among you, for the Lord your God will greatly bless you in the land he is giving you as a special possession. You will receive this blessing if you carefully obey the commands of the Lord your God that I am giving you today. The Lord your God will bless you as he has promised. You will lend money to many nations but will never need to borrow! You will rule many nations, but they will not rule over you!
But if there are any poor people in your towns when you arrive in the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hard-hearted or tightfisted toward them. Instead, be generous and lend them whatever they need. Do not be mean-spirited and refuse someone a loan because the year of release is close at hand. If you refuse to make the loan and the needy person cries out to the Lord, you will be considered guilty of sin. Give freely without begrudging it, and the Lord your God will bless you in everything you do. There will always be some among you who are poor. That is why I am commanding you to share your resources freely with the poor and with other Israelites in need. (Verses 1-11)
What a message to hear! Your debts have been canceled. No more collectors pounding at the door. What a relief!
Yet, if the seventh year debt canceling is observed, it could lead to practices that are stingy with the needy – especially when the seventh year approaches. This is not to be. Always give liberally. Give in season and out of season. It is an important reminder for us in this Advent and Christmas season.
There will always be chances or opportunities to give liberally of your blessings. There will always be some people who are poor in our midst. You know, Jesus told that to his disciples after they complained about the woman anointing him with expensive perfume. Jesus got that statement honestly from Deuteronomy.
Let us look to see how we can bring back some lost sheep back to the Great Shepherd of the sheep. Read a parable of Jesus from Luke chapter fifteen:
Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach. This made the Pharisees and teachers of religious law complain that he was associating with such despicable people – even eating with them!
So Jesus used this illustration: "If you had one hundred sheep, and one of them strayed away and was lost in the wilderness, wouldn't you leave the ninety-nine others to go and search for the lost one until you found it? And then you would joyfully carry it home on your shoulders. When you arrived, you would call together your friends and neighbors to rejoice with you because your lost sheep was found. In the same way, heaven will be happier over one lost sinner who returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven't strayed away!” (Verses 1-7)
Let us show compassion on the lost by searching for them, celebrating their safe return, and ministering to their needs. These actions will bring a chorus of praise from heaven. It is the way of Jesus.
Enough mumbling for now...
Peace Out
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