«Take no usury or interest from him; but fear your God, that your brother may live with you» (Leviticus 25:36).
The instructions concerning how to deal with the poor were clearly established. There was no governmental aid for the poor. Families with greater resources were responsible for the less fortunate. Poverty was not allowed in Israel, and abuse or indifference toward the needy was considered a sin. What a blessing it would be today if we followed these principles! And yet, there are unscrupulous people who are ready «to turn the fallen tree into firewood.»
My oldest daughter urgently needed a car. She worked all summer to save up money to buy one. From 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. she worked in a center for children with behavioral problems. From 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. she worked as an assistant for a child with autism. When she got enough money together, a «friend» offered to go with us to an auction. Once a car was chosen and we were ready to go back home, the «friend» demanded that we pay him $200 for the hour he had spent helping us. No matter how I explained to him the great effort my daughter had gone to in order to purchase the car, he would not relent in his effort to take advantage of us with usury.
The instructions given by God in this chapter of Leviticus were designed to bless both the rich and the poor. It was God’s divine purpose to limit greed and cultivate a spirit of generosity and good will.
«We are all woven together in the great web of humanity, and whatever we can do to benefit and uplift others will reflect in blessing upon ourselves. The law of mutual dependence runs through all classes of society. The poor are not more dependent upon the rich than are the rich upon the poor. While the one class ask a share in the blessings which God has bestowed upon their wealthier neighbors, the other need the faithful service, strength of brain and bone and muscle, that are the capital of the poor. –Patriarchs and Prophets, ch. 52, p. 534.
God does not expect you to eliminate poverty, nor that you deny your family in order to give to others. What God expects is that when you see someone in need, you give them whatever help you are able. Show compas sion today to someone in need.
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Taken from: Devotional Thoughts for Women 2023
“DAUGHTER OF MINE” Do Not Be Afraid
From: Arsenia Fernandez-Uckele
Collaborators: Xiomara Perdomo & Angelica Cuate