Contemplative Bible Reading

Deuteronomy 15:7-9 (New International Version)

⁷ If there is a poor man among your brothers in any of the towns of the land that the LORD your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother. ⁸ Rather be openhanded and freely lend him whatever he needs. ⁹ Be 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 your needy brother and give him nothing. He may then appeal to the LORD against you, and you will be found guilty of sin.

There were many laws in the Old Testament – okay, that is an understatement – there were a whole lot of laws. As today, just as soon as someone puts a law on paper (or stone), someone else will find a loophole – a way to work around the law or to cheat.

God is pretty smart. Here He is gives a no-loopholes-in-the-law law. The basic law was simple,

lend to the poor, whatever the poor need

There was also another law about the Sabbatical year,

forgive all debts in the seventh year

Well, if you are shrewd, it is pretty easy to see the loophole,

Don’t lend much during the sixth year because you will have to forgive it all during the next year.

Well, God closes that loophole in the first phrase of verse 9,

Don’t even think about that loophole. I am watching.

In the New Testament we have some guidelines. Sometimes we try to turn the guidelines into laws and then we look for loopholes and then…

Don’t even think about it. God is watching; God knows what is in our hearts and minds.