Lending; It's Not Just Business
A Story
Someone shared a story about how when they were in the military, there was a series of events that would be repeated every pay weekend. All, but one guy in the company would, go out to bars and spend up their money living the night life. Many would end up going to the one who didn’t go out to borrow money to carry them over to next pay day. He was raised up being taught to save and to live a disciplined life in several respects. So, he always had the money and he was always willing to lend- but with interest- 25%, if I remember correctly. And the Company Commander would make sure he was repaid each new payday. He earned thousands of dollars doing this. It’s similar to how Pay-day Loans work. They lend you money against collateral of your next pay check, charging 25% or more interest. A person is trapped in indebtedness because there’s no win-win when you are constantly borrowing from future money to get by in the present.
What is Interest?
Interest is “a sum paid or charged for the use of money or for borrowing money.” The bible, in some translations, call it usery. And this is what the bible has to say on the matter.
What Does the Bible Say?
Take no usury or interest from him; but fear your God, that your brother may live with you. You shall not lend him your money for usury, nor lend him your food at a profit. (Leviticus 25:36,37)
If you lend money to any of My people who are poor among you, you shall not be like a moneylender to him; you shall not charge him interest. If you ever take your neighbor’s garment as a pledge, you shall return it to him before the sun goes down. For that is his only covering, it is his garment for his skin. What will he sleep in? And it will be that when he cries to Me, I will hear, for I am gracious (Exodus 22:25-27).
Application in Real Life
The bible warns us away from lending money in the first place. If we chose to do so, it should be for a true need and we are to lend, not expecting it back. Here, God continues to demonstrate great care and compassion for those who are in need (true need). As an individual (child of God), we are commanded not to lend money for usery; not to lend money in order to make a profit. Imagine how desperate a situation, if a person pledges his garment as collateral that he will repay whatever he borrows (Exodus 22:25-27). He is humbled, but has a heart to give something in exchange for whatever he borrows. He has every hope of being able to make good on his word- because that garment is important; it’s his covering for his skin. It’s his protection against the cold night.
Conclusion
This is not just business you all. This could be someone’s livelihood and life. Be obedient to the scripture because God said so. But also pray to follow Jesus’ heart of love and compassion; and be gracious and generous because it’s just a blessing to be able to be and do so.
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Definition (interest) by Dictionary.com 8/6/2021
