RULES FOR SLAVERY AND LENDER: God provided guidelines for slavery and how lenders should handle the debtors. But, how America handled slavery and how lenders handle debtors today are not the same.
In the Bible, God has provides us with practical guidance on how to live above the stresses of life, and we are given instructions on how to manage the resources He has given us.
In this series,
From a biblical perspective, we are looking at how to manage effectively the resources God has given us while prioritizing What Really Matters.
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Talking to the Father
Holy Father, when we go contrary to your guidelines and principles it is a sure road to failure. Help us look to you and always consult you and your word. And may we allow you to be our constant guide and counselor. In Jesus’ Name, Amen
No, the Bible’s instructions on slavery are not the same as how slavery was handled in America from 1619 to the time it was abolished in 1865 under the Thirteenth Amendment.
Nor do lenders today follow the principles of the Bible when dealing with debtors. As a matter of fact, if we practice the instruction in the Bible regarding slaves and lenders, poverty would not exist.
In the Bible, slavery is another name for servitude. When individuals did not have money, they would agree to pay their debt by becoming a slave to the lender.
Although God advises that we should avoid debt, he knew there were circumstances in which it may become unavoidable, so he provided guidance on how the lender should handle the debtor.
As matter of fact, God placed a term limitation on how long the lender could keep the debtor in slavery.
These guidelines are found in Deuteronomy 15:1-5.
1 “At the end of every seven years you shall grant a remission of debts.
2 This is the manner of remission: every creditor shall release what he has loaned to his neighbor; he shall not exact it of his neighbor and his brother, because the Lord’s remission has been proclaimed.
3 From a foreigner you may exact it, but your hand shall release whatever of yours is with your brother.
4 However, there will be no poor among you, since the Lord will surely bless you in the land which the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance to possess,
5 if only you listen obediently to the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all this commandment which I am commanding you today. (Deuteronomy 15:1-5)
Additional instructions regarding the lender’s responsibility to the debtor is found in Exodus 21:2
2 If you buy a Hebrew servant, he shall serve six years; and in the seventh he shall go out free and pay nothing. (Exodus 21:2)
But, God did not stop there he also gave the landowner instructions on how to manage the farming of their land in Leviticus 25:3-4
3 Six years you shall sow your field, and six years you shall prune your vineyard, and gather its fruit;
4 but in the seventh year there shall be a sabbath of solemn rest for the land, a sabbath to the Lord. You shall neither sow your field nor prune your vineyard. (Leviticus 25:3-4)
God knowing that lenders would not want to forgive anyone who could not pay their debt, put a limit on how long anyone could be in servitude or slavery. So, the longest anyone could be in slavery was seven years. After that, the debt was to be forgiven and the debtor or servant was to be set free.
Deuteronomy 15:1–5 shows that the Lord cares about our financial issues. And even though He advised against getting into debt, the Lord acknowledged the reality of debt. So, He established a system to help His people get out of debt.
The book, Patriarchs and Prophets, points out that the observance of the sabbatical year was to be a benefit to both the land and the people. It says: The soil, lying untilled for one season, would afterward produce more plentifully. The people were released from the pressing labors of the field; and while there were various branches of work that could be followed during this time, all enjoyed greater leisure, which afforded opportunity for the restoration of their physical powers for the exertions of the following years. They had more time for meditation and prayer, for acquainting themselves with the teachings and requirements of the Lord, and for the instruction of their households. . . .(Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 532 )
It further says that: To the poor, the seventh year was a year of release from debt. The Hebrews were commanded at all times to assist their needy brethren by lending them money without interest. To take interest from a poor person was forbidden. . . . If the debt remained unpaid until the year of release, the principal itself could not be recovered. The people were expressly warned against withholding from their brethren needed assistance on account of this…—Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 532.
Today, many people get loans for 20 or 30 years to purchase homes. One reason for this is that houses cost so much, and it is the only way people can afford to buy a home.
At the same time, many parents and students wonder if it is wise to borrow money to pay for their children’s education.
For the most part, getting a college degree enhances a person’s income capability for the rest of their life. So some may need to borrow money to pay for their education.
Nevertheless, we must remember that any money borrowed must be paid back. And in most cases, there is no seventh-year forgiveness under today’s terms. Moreover, you will need to pay extra money to the bank for their loan, in the terms of interest.
The idea is to try to get as much money as possible in the form of grants and scholarships. Also, work and save all the money you can for your education or your children’s education.
Furthermore, take only those classes that typically ensure a job. In Bible times, parents gave their children farmland so they could make a living.
Today, when they can afford it, as an inheritance, parents give their children an education. Education helps them to become independent and get jobs so that they can take care of themselves and their families.
In God’s ideal world, no one would have to borrow money or owe anyone money. But life isn’t perfect. This world is not ideal. So, at times, you may need to borrow money. When you do, just make sure you get the best possible interest rates.
Then borrow the very minimum that you need and pay it off as quickly as possible to save on interest costs.
In principle, however, to whatever degree humanly possible, we should seek to avoid debt.
And by following the biblical financial principles in our everyday lives, we can go a long way toward avoiding unnecessary debt and the terrible strain it can put on us and our families.
Here is some wise advice from a book titled Publishing Ministry on managing the little things:
Mind the little things. It is the little losses that tell heavily in the end. Look after the littles, gather up the fragments, that nothing be lost; for many who look after the larger matters have never learned to guard and save the minor things. Waste not the minutes, for they ruin the hours. Persevering diligence, work done in faith, will always be crowned with success. Some think it beneath their dignity to look after small things. They consider it the evidence of a narrow mind and small spirit to be careful of the little things.
Watch the little outgoes; save the little incomes. The smallest leak has sunk many a ship. No derision or jesting should keep us from saving the littles. Nothing that would serve the purpose should be left to go to waste. A lack of economy will bring debt… Much money may be received, but it will be lost in the little wastes of every branch of the work. Economy is not stinginess.—The Publishing Ministry, p. 331.
The point is to borrow only what you need. Pay off that loan as fast as you possibly can to save on the cost that the bank charges for borrowing the loan.
But the best rule to follow is to avoid borrowing money.
When we follow God’s principles on handling money in our everyday lives, we can avoid being in debt. Debt is not our friend, being in debt puts stress on us and on our families.
Finally,
if you need more help paying off your debts, try these three helpful suggestions:
- Make a budget. Make a simple budget by keeping a record of all your income and expenses, and purchases over a period of three months. You will be surprised to learn how much money you spend on unnecessary items.
- Destroy credit cards. Credit cards are easy to use. But they can become difficult to pay off. If you find that you aren’t paying off the cards in total each month. If you are using them to purchase items that you would not otherwise have bought. It is time to destroy your credit cards before they destroy you and your family.
- Save as much as you can. Often we do not realize just how much we can save each month. But when we are more careful with the small things we purchase, we can save a lot. The money saved in not purchasing the little things can add up quickly.
Jesus helps us see the importance of not letting that which is useful go to waste in John 6:11-12 in which after feeding the large crowd of people and they were all full, He told his disciples to gather the remains.
11 Then Jesus took the loaves and the fish, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted.
12 And when everyone was full, He said to His disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over, so that nothing will be wasted.” (John 6:11-12 NIV)
Little becomes much! So, mind the little things. And if you wish to accomplish greater things, seek to follow the financial principles God has established for us in His Word, the Bible. If you are in debt, make a plan to get out of debt and if you are not in debt, avoid it if at all possible.
If you don’t have a church home and wish to return tithe or give an offering, consider giving online,
@ Adventistgiving.org
my local Church:
Hebron Seventh-day Adventist Church 7902 Wheatly Street Houston, TX 77088
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