Monday, December 10, 2012

The Year Of Jubilee


Every seven years, God commanded the Israelites to grant a remission of debts...every creditor shall release what he has loaned to his neighbor.  {Deuteronomy 15:1,2 } People have used this verse to try and pursuade me that this proves that God allows bankruptcy and debt.

However, further down God tells His people, For the Lord your God shall bless you as He has promised you, and you will lend to many nations, but you will not borrow; and you will rule over many nations, but they will not rule over you.  {Deuteronomy 15:6}
So here are more verses that God commands from believers ~

If a man borrows anything from his neighbor, and it is injured or dies while its owner is not with it, he shall make full restitution.
Exodus 22:14

The Lord will open for you His good storehouse, the heavens, to give rain to your land in its season and to bless all the work of your hand; and you shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow.
Deuteronomy 28:12

The wicked borrows and does not pay back,
but the righteous is gracious and gives.
Psalm 37:21

The rich rules over the poor,
and the borrower becomes the lender’s slave
Proverbs 22:7

Do not be a man who strikes hands in pledge
or puts up security for debts;
if you lack the means to pay,
your very bed will be snatched from under you.
Proverbs 22:26,27

It is better that you should not vow
than that you should vow and not pay.  
Ecclesiastes 5:5

Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another;
for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law
Romans 13:8

We are called to lend our money freely and generously but no where can I find that God allows believers to declare bankruptcy and not pay back their debt.  Some have questioned high, unexpected medical bills.  My suggestion is to take God at His Word, obey Him, and see how He will provide.  He is much bigger than medical bills!

We must never underestimate God's ability to provide for us when we are walking in obedience to Him.  He is a kind and generous God who promises to come to the aid of His people.  Trust and obey Him.