Reading
SAA Notes
It is still a good principle to repay debts within seven years. Tithes were used to feed the Levites, the immigrants, the orphans, the widows and other disadvantaged people within a town. The Jews were encouraged to be generous and regular with the tithe with the promise that God does bless the generous in all the work of their hands.
SJA Notes
* Generous Lord God, to You we lift up our souls, in You we trust – Please let us not be put to shame.
“You shall give to him freely, and your heart shall not be grudging when you give to him, …”
Here is a command from God to His people on how to treat any poor folk amongst them.
In the New Testament book of Luke we read Jesus saying,
“But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great.”
Both Moses and Jesus point to God’s mercy as the answer to us asking “Why would I give freely? Why would I be generous without thought of return?”.
Moses says,
“You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the LORD your God redeemed you;”
Jesus says,
“Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.”
Our God of mercy has redeemed us from slavery, rescued us from sin, brought us from darkness into light.
Oh what mercy, this, immense and free!
This the pattern, this the command: Be like HIM. Be merciful in thought, word and deed.
More Jesus, less us.
* Lord God in Heaven,
Thank You for Your mercy to us – You don’t give us what we deserve, instead You rescue us!
Thank You for Jesus’ work, the lamb slain from before the foundation for the world.
Please help us to be merciful as You are merciful.
Amen.