whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven

Mark 10:21
1 Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.”

This passage about the rich young ruler is not about wealth. It is also not about holiness and sanctification, as the young man has lived an almost perfect moral life. Jesus saw that there was something holding the man back. He offered him a choice to make, there was still a chance he might change. However, the man admitted defeat and did not turn toward Jesus for help. Jesus wanted the man to come to Him, depend on Him and surrender to Him, He was not looking for perfection in the man. It mentioned that Jesus looked at the man and loved Him, He did not turn the young man away.

Come, follow Me

Luke 18:22
So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”

Our Lord Yshua requires us to come to Him and follow Him. The situation surrounding the verse above is that the rich young ruler was asking about how eternal life. Yshua requires nothing less than our whole selves. He was not against the wealth that people have. Rather, things like wealth and other worldly pursuits can hinder our relationship with Him. His requirement is very simple in a sense, just let go of our worldly things and follow Him.

But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may supply their lack, that their abundance also may supply your lack

Paul commended the believers in Macedonia for their willingness to give for the ministry work. Paul encouraged the Corinthians to keep on doing the ministry work and it would also be advantageous to them. Paul explains the principle of sharing such that those who have a lot should contribute more and that those who have little will not be in lack. He is not advocating the same group of people supporting another same group of people. Instead people who can afford to support now may be in need of support in the future and vice versa. Paul also speaks very favourably of Titus and urges the Corinthians to give him full support.

 


2 Corinthians 8
Excel in Giving

1 Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: 2 that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. 3 For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, 4 imploring us with much urgency that we would receive[a] the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. 5 And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God. 6 So we urged Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also complete this grace in you as well. 7 But as you abound in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us—see that you abound in this grace also.

Christ Our Pattern

8 I speak not by commandment, but I am testing the sincerity of your love by the diligence of others. 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.

10 And in this I give advice: It is to your advantage not only to be doing what you began and were desiring to do a year ago; 11 but now you also must complete the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to desire it, so there also may be a completion out of what you have. 12 For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have.

13 For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened; 14 but by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may supply their lack, that their abundance also may supply your lack—that there may be equality. 15 As it is written, “He who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack.”[b]

Collection for the Judean Saints

16 But thanks be to God who puts[c] the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus. 17 For he not only accepted the exhortation, but being more diligent, he went to you of his own accord. 18 And we have sent with him the brother whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches, 19 and not only that, but who was also chosen by the churches to travel with us with this gift, which is administered by us to the glory of the Lord Himself and to show your ready mind, 20 avoiding this: that anyone should blame us in this lavish gift which is administered by us— 21 providing honorable things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.

22 And we have sent with them our brother whom we have often proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, because of the great confidence which we have in you. 23 If anyone inquires about Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker concerning you. Or if our brethren are inquired about, they are messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ. 24 Therefore show to them, and[d] before the churches, the proof of your love and of our boasting on your behalf.

Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness

Paul shows his confidence in God, telling other believers that they are servants and keepers of the hidden truth revealed by God. Paul is not concerned about being judged by others, because He has God as his judge. Again Paul brings the message back to not being divided about whether they are following Paul or Apollos.

Paul highlights the trials that the ministers of God go through. From man's point of view, they are condemned, made fools, dishonoured, poor, hungry, thirsty, homeless, persecuted, beaten and filth of the world. But in God's view, they are rich, strong, distinguished. They bless, endure, entreat others.

Paul wants them to live in Christ, following what they have learned. He humbly offers himself as an example to follow. In fact, he urges them to follow Timothy's lifestyle too as Timothy would be living among them, and Paul considers him a spiritual son. Paul also sees the believers whom he converted as his spiritual children. He warns them that he will return.





1 Corinthians 4
Stewards of the Mysteries of God

1 Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful. 3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court.[a] In fact, I do not even judge myself. 4 For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord. 5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God.

Fools for Christ’s Sake

6 Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other. 7 For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?

8 You are already full! You are already rich! You have reigned as kings without us—and indeed I could wish you did reign, that we also might reign with you! 9 For I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last, as men condemned to death; for we have been made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men. 10 We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonored! 11 To the present hour we both hunger and thirst, and we are poorly clothed, and beaten, and homeless. 12 And we labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; 13 being defamed, we entreat. We have been made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things until now.

Paul’s Paternal Care

14 I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you. 15 For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. 16 Therefore I urge you, imitate me. 17 For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church.

18 Now some are puffed up, as though I were not coming to you. 19 But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord wills, and I will know, not the word of those who are puffed up, but the power. 20 For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power. 21 What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?

Do not Oppress the Widow or the Fatherless

The Israelites have been returned to their homeland and now during the reign of King Darius in the Persian Empire, a group of seemingly devoted Israelites came to the temple to pray and ask God if they should continue fasting and mourning during the fifth and seventh month. The Lord who knew anticipated their question gave the answer through Zechariah. The Lord's answer was indirect and first asked if they were sincere in their fast. The second point was that instead of fasting, it would have been better for them if they had initially obeyed God before the invasion by Babylon.

God continued passing His message through Zechariah that His desire are for His people to show justice, mercy, compassion, not oppress the widow, orphans, foreigner and the poor, also not to have evil in their hearts toward each other. And God described how they disobeyed and went against all His desires. They ignored God's true prophets and their messages. The result is that God did not listen to them when they asked for help, when God used their enemies to scatter His people.




Zechariah 7
Obedience Better than Fasting

1 Now in the fourth year of King Darius it came to pass that the word of the Lord came to Zechariah, on the fourth day of the ninth month, Chislev, 2 when the people[a] sent Sherezer,[b] with Regem-Melech and his men, to the house of God,[c] to pray before the Lord, 3 and to ask the priests who were in the house of the Lord of hosts, and the prophets, saying, “Should I weep in the fifth month and fast as I have done for so many years?”

4 Then the word of the Lord of hosts came to me, saying, 5 “Say to all the people of the land, and to the priests: ‘When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months during those seventy years, did you really fast for Me—for Me? 6 When you eat and when you drink, do you not eat and drink for yourselves? 7 Should you not have obeyed the words which the Lord proclaimed through the former prophets when Jerusalem and the cities around it were inhabited and prosperous, and the South[d] and the Lowland were inhabited?’”

Disobedience Resulted in Captivity

8 Then the word of the Lord came to Zechariah, saying, 9 “Thus says the Lord of hosts:

‘Execute true justice,
Show mercy and compassion
Everyone to his brother.
10 Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless,
The alien or the poor.
Let none of you plan evil in his heart
Against his brother.’
11 “But they refused to heed, shrugged their shoulders, and stopped their ears so that they could not hear. 12 Yes, they made their hearts like flint, refusing to hear the law and the words which the Lord of hosts had sent by His Spirit through the former prophets. Thus great wrath came from the Lord of hosts. 13 Therefore it happened, that just as He proclaimed and they would not hear, so they called out and I would not listen,” says the Lord of hosts. 14 “But I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations which they had not known. Thus the land became desolate after them, so that no one passed through or returned; for they made the pleasant land desolate.”

A Threefold Cord Is Not Quickly Broken

This chapter briefly discusses four topics. The first one relates to situation where those who were oppressed had no comforters while their oppressors continue to wield great power over them. If the author of this is Solomon, then it may be that Solomon was referring to neighbouring kingdoms.
The second topic describes a man who works for his own sake. He has no companion and he works constantly. The author asks who does he work for that he has to sacrifice enjoying goodness. The implication is that such work deprives one of enjoying the fruits of the labour.
The third topic gives the famous saying "And a threefold cord is not quickly broken". It tells of the strength derived from being in companionship. They can enjoy the fruits of their labour together. If one should fall, the other will help them up again.
The fourth topic tells from an example of one from humble beginning who was made king. He became ruler over many and so gained popularity. However, he grew foolish with age, and soon was no longer remembered.


Ecclesiastes 4

1 Then I returned and considered all the oppression that is done under the sun:
And look! The tears of the oppressed,
But they have no comforter—
On the side of their oppressors there is power,
But they have no comforter.
2 Therefore I praised the dead who were already dead,
More than the living who are still alive.
3 Yet, better than both is he who has never existed,
Who has not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.

The Vanity of Selfish Toil
4 Again, I saw that for all toil and every skillful work a man is envied by his neighbor. This also is vanity and grasping for the wind.
5 The fool folds his hands
And consumes his own flesh.
6 Better a handful with quietness
Than both hands full, together with toil and grasping for the wind.
7 Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun:
8 There is one alone, without companion:
He has neither son nor brother.
Yet there is no end to all his labors,
Nor is his eye satisfied with riches.
But he never asks,
“For whom do I toil and deprive myself of good?”
This also is vanity and a grave misfortune.

The Value of a Friend
9 Two are better than one,
Because they have a good reward for their labor.
10 For if they fall, one will lift up his companion.
But woe to him who is alone when he falls,
For he has no one to help him up.
11 Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm;
But how can one be warm alone?
12 Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him.
And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Popularity Passes Away
13 Better a poor and wise youth
Than an old and foolish king who will be admonished no more.
14 For he comes out of prison to be king,
Although he was born poor in his kingdom.
15 I saw all the living who walk under the sun;
They were with the second youth who stands in his place.
16 There was no end of all the people over whom he was made king;
Yet those who come afterward will not rejoice in him.
Surely this also is vanity and grasping for the wind.

He Who Gives to the Poor will Not Lack

The collection of verses here encourages us to stay with doing the right things and not forsaking God's laws. It warns against trying to get rich using wicked means such as by hurting or oppressing others. A more severe warning is that those who causes righteous people to sin, will themselves be considered sinful and punished.

There are a number of verses of rich vs poor but this is more than the monetary status. Instead it refers to whether the people are doing the right things or not. For example, there is no point in being rich because the wicked things done will incur judgement. On the other hand, those who obey God's laws, whether poor or not to begin with, will incur blessings. There are encouragement to be generous and walk in integrity. There are warnings about being proud and causing strife.



Proverbs 28
1 The wicked flee when no one pursues,
But the righteous are bold as a lion.

2 Because of the transgression of a land, many are its princes;
But by a man of understanding and knowledge
Right will be prolonged.

3 A poor man who oppresses the poor
Is like a driving rain which leaves no food.

4 Those who forsake the law praise the wicked,
But such as keep the law contend with them.

5 Evil men do not understand justice,
But those who seek the Lord understand all.

6 Better is the poor who walks in his integrity
Than one perverse in his ways, though he be rich.

7 Whoever keeps the law is a discerning son,
But a companion of gluttons shames his father.

8 One who increases his possessions by usury and extortion
Gathers it for him who will pity the poor.

9 One who turns away his ear from hearing the law,
Even his prayer is an abomination.

10 Whoever causes the upright to go astray in an evil way,
He himself will fall into his own pit;
But the blameless will inherit good.

11 The rich man is wise in his own eyes,
But the poor who has understanding searches him out.

12 When the righteous rejoice, there is great glory;
But when the wicked arise, men hide themselves.

13 He who covers his sins will not prosper,
But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.

14 Happy is the man who is always reverent,
But he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.

15 Like a roaring lion and a charging bear
Is a wicked ruler over poor people.

16 A ruler who lacks understanding is a great oppressor,
But he who hates covetousness will prolong his days.

17 A man burdened with bloodshed will flee into a pit;
Let no one help him.

18 Whoever walks blamelessly will be saved,
But he who is perverse in his ways will suddenly fall.

19 He who tills his land will have plenty of bread,
But he who follows frivolity will have poverty enough!

20 A faithful man will abound with blessings,
But he who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished.

21 To show partiality is not good,
Because for a piece of bread a man will transgress.

22 A man with an evil eye hastens after riches,
And does not consider that poverty will come upon him.

23 He who rebukes a man will find more favor afterward
Than he who flatters with the tongue.

24 Whoever robs his father or his mother,
And says, “It is no transgression,”
The same is companion to a destroyer.

25 He who is of a proud heart stirs up strife,
But he who trusts in the Lord will be prospered.

26 He who trusts in his own heart is a fool,
But whoever walks wisely will be delivered.

27 He who gives to the poor will not lack,
But he who hides his eyes will have many curses.

28 When the wicked arise, men hide themselves;
But when they perish, the righteous increase.

The Borrower is Servant to the Lender

There is a collection of sayings from various topics. One of the recurring topics with multiple sayings within this chapter is about wealth. More specifically it is the Kingdom's view of wealth and how we should approach it. The sayings and comments are given here:

1 A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, Loving favor rather than silver and gold.
- before even thinking of getting wealthy, build character and integrity first.

7 The rich rules over the poor, And the borrower is servant to the lender.
- avoid being in debt, this is something which modern society should practise in hindsight of the Global Financial Crisis.

9 He who has a generous eye will be blessed, For he gives of his bread to the poor.
- generosity to the needy is highly valued by the Lord.

16 He who oppresses the poor to increase his riches, And he who gives to the rich, will surely come to poverty.
22 Do not rob the poor because he is poor, Nor oppress the afflicted at the gate;
23 For the Lord will plead their cause, And plunder the soul of those who plunder them.
- gain wealth through proper means, not disadvantaging or cheating others.

26 Do not be one of those who shakes hands in a pledge, One of those who is surety for debts;
27 If you have nothing with which to pay, Why should he take away your bed from under you?
- be wise and avoid being a guarantor.





Proverbs 22
1 A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches,
Loving favor rather than silver and gold.

2 The rich and the poor have this in common,
The Lord is the maker of them all.

3 A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself,
But the simple pass on and are punished.

4 By humility and the fear of the Lord
Are riches and honor and life.

5 Thorns and snares are in the way of the perverse;
He who guards his soul will be far from them.

6 Train up a child in the way he should go,
And when he is old he will not depart from it.

7 The rich rules over the poor,
And the borrower is servant to the lender.

8 He who sows iniquity will reap sorrow,
And the rod of his anger will fail.

9 He who has a generous eye will be blessed,
For he gives of his bread to the poor.

10 Cast out the scoffer, and contention will leave;
Yes, strife and reproach will cease.

11 He who loves purity of heart
And has grace on his lips,
The king will be his friend.

12 The eyes of the Lord preserve knowledge,
But He overthrows the words of the faithless.

13 The lazy man says, “There is a lion outside!
I shall be slain in the streets!”

14 The mouth of an immoral woman is a deep pit;
He who is abhorred by the Lord will fall there.

15 Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child;
The rod of correction will drive it far from him.

16 He who oppresses the poor to increase his riches,
And he who gives to the rich, will surely come to poverty.

Sayings of the Wise
17 Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise,
And apply your heart to my knowledge;

18 For it is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you;
Let them all be fixed upon your lips,

19 So that your trust may be in the Lord;
I have instructed you today, even you.

20 Have I not written to you excellent things
Of counsels and knowledge,

21 That I may make you know the certainty of the words of truth,
That you may answer words of truth
To those who send to you?

22 Do not rob the poor because he is poor,
Nor oppress the afflicted at the gate;

23 For the Lord will plead their cause,
And plunder the soul of those who plunder them.

24 Make no friendship with an angry man,
And with a furious man do not go,

25 Lest you learn his ways
And set a snare for your soul.

26 Do not be one of those who shakes hands in a pledge,
One of those who is surety for debts;

27 If you have nothing with which to pay,
Why should he take away your bed from under you?

28 Do not remove the ancient landmark
Which your fathers have set.

29 Do you see a man who excels in his work?
He will stand before kings;
He will not stand before unknown men.

The Ransom of a Man’s Life is his Riches

As previous chapters this proverbs has sayings which contrasts between the righteous and the wicked. But in addition, the other main contrasts is between those who seek riches versus those who don't. It is said that riches can be a ransom to a man. There are also other contrasts between a prudent man, those who follow after the wise, and the hardworking one. The contrasts are those who are wasteful, who despises wisdom and those who covet but do not labour for it.



Proverbs 13

1 A wise son heeds his father’s instruction,
But a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.

2 A man shall eat well by the fruit of his mouth,
But the soul of the unfaithful feeds on violence.

3 He who guards his mouth preserves his life,
But he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction.

4 The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing;
But the soul of the diligent shall be made rich.

5 A righteous man hates lying,
But a wicked man is loathsome and comes to shame.

6 Righteousness guards him whose way is blameless,
But wickedness overthrows the sinner.

7 There is one who makes himself rich, yet has nothing;
And one who makes himself poor, yet has great riches.

8 The ransom of a man’s life is his riches,
But the poor does not hear rebuke.

9 The light of the righteous rejoices,
But the lamp of the wicked will be put out.

10 By pride comes nothing but strife,
But with the well-advised is wisdom.

11 Wealth gained by dishonesty will be diminished,
But he who gathers by labor will increase.

12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
But when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.

13 He who despises the word will be destroyed,
But he who fears the commandment will be rewarded.

14 The law of the wise is a fountain of life,
To turn one away from the snares of death.

15 Good understanding gains favor,
But the way of the unfaithful is hard.

16 Every prudent man acts with knowledge,
But a fool lays open his folly.

17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble,
But a faithful ambassador brings health.

18 Poverty and shame will come to him who disdains correction,
But he who regards a rebuke will be honored.

19 A desire accomplished is sweet to the soul,
But it is an abomination to fools to depart from evil.

20 He who walks with wise men will be wise,
But the companion of fools will be destroyed.

21 Evil pursues sinners,
But to the righteous, good shall be repaid.

22 A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children,
But the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous.

23 Much food is in the fallow ground of the poor,
And for lack of justice there is waste.[a]

24 He who spares his rod hates his son,
But he who loves him disciplines him promptly.

25 The righteous eats to the satisfying of his soul,
But the stomach of the wicked shall be in want.

He Raises the Poor Out of the Dust

A call to praise the LORD. Acknowledging that God is higher than all the nations. It also recognizes one of the key characteristic of God for His caring of the poor and needy by raising them up. Also mentioned is His care for barren woman, as shown in various parts of Scripture too.


Psalm 113 
The Majesty and Condescension of God

1 Praise the Lord!
Praise, O servants of the Lord,
Praise the name of the Lord!

2 Blessed be the name of the Lord
From this time forth and forevermore!

3 From the rising of the sun to its going down
The Lord’s name is to be praised.

4 The Lord is high above all nations,
His glory above the heavens.

5 Who is like the Lord our God,
Who dwells on high,

6 Who humbles Himself to behold
The things that are in the heavens and in the earth?

7 He raises the poor out of the dust,
And lifts the needy out of the ash heap,

8 That He may seat him with princes—
With the princes of His people.

9 He grants the barren woman a home,
Like a joyful mother of children.
Praise the Lord!

God Stands in the Congregation of the Mighty

The Almighty God is mentioned in the context of the lesser gods, elohim, who may be the judges on Earth. A comparison is made and emphasised that these judges are mere mortals and would die like ordinary men. It is not fully clear whether these lesser judges are wicked or righteous but it seems that wickedness prevailed in that society. Hence there is a call to God to show justice and defend the poor, fatherless, afflicted, needy. Verse 5, if it refers to the judges, mean that they have not performed their duties well, hence the call to God to set things right.


Psalm 82
A Psalm of Asaph

 1 God stands in the congregation of the mighty;
         He judges among the gods.[a]
 2 How long will you judge unjustly,
         And show partiality to the wicked?  Selah 
 3 Defend the poor and fatherless;
         Do justice to the afflicted and needy.
 4 Deliver the poor and needy;
         Free them from the hand of the wicked.
        
 5 They do not know, nor do they understand;
         They walk about in darkness;
         All the foundations of the earth are unstable.
        
 6 I said, “You are gods,[b]
         And all of you are children of the Most High.
 7 But you shall die like men,
         And fall like one of the princes.”
        
 8 Arise, O God, judge the earth;
         For You shall inherit all nations.

Debt Cancellation, Generosity to the Poor, Freeing of Slaves

A few interesting laws to govern the everyday life of the Israelites were given. These range from finance to charity to livestock.

One extraordinary law is the cancellation of debts every seven years. Any Israelites who has lent money to a fellow Israelite will cancel the debt. If the borrower is a non-Israelite however, then the debt is not cancelled. This is no doubt unfair as seen from an outsider, but nevertheless it is God's will. Perhaps God's lesson here is so that His people do not take money to seriously and that everything belongs to God. The blessing promised for this is that God will even prosper His people more: "you shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow; you shall reign over many nations, but they shall not reign over you."

The character of God can be seen in the following laws which require His people to care for the poor and not have a hardened heart towards them. God commands His people to give or lend to the poor without a grudge. The generosity should extend to the release of slaves. Besides the forgiving of debts, at every seven years, slaves are also set free. In addition, when the slave leaves, God commands the owner to give generously, in fact to let the slave choose whatever from the flock, granary or the winepresses. God reminds His people of how He provided for them when the Israelites freely took whatever they need when they left Egypt. With regard to the flock, the Israelites are supposed to keep the firstborn of the animals for an offering to God, unless the animal has some defect.

Deuteronomy 15

Debts Canceled Every Seven Years

 1 “At the end of every seven years you shall grant a release of debts. 2 And this is the form of the release: Every creditor who has lent anything to his neighbor shall release it; he shall not require it of his neighbor or his brother, because it is called the LORD’s release. 3 Of a foreigner you may require it; but you shall give up your claim to what is owed by your brother, 4 except when there may be no poor among you; for the LORD will greatly bless you in the land which the LORD your God is giving you to possess as an inheritance— 5 only if you carefully obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe with care all these commandments which I command you today. 6 For the LORD your God will bless you just as He promised you; you shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow; you shall reign over many nations, but they shall not reign over you.

Generosity to the Poor
 
7 “If there is among you a poor man of your brethren, within any of the gates in your land which the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart nor shut your hand from your poor brother, 8 but you shall open your hand wide to him and willingly lend him sufficient for his need, whatever he needs. 9 Beware lest there be a wicked thought in your heart, saying, ‘The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand,’ and your eye be evil against your poor brother and you give him nothing, and he cry out to the LORD against you, and it become sin among you. 10 You shall surely give to him, and your heart should not be grieved when you give to him, because for this thing the LORD your God will bless you in all your works and in all to which you put your hand. 11 For the poor will never cease from the land; therefore I command you, saying, ‘You shall open your hand wide to your brother, to your poor and your needy, in your land.’

The Law Concerning Bondservants
 
12 “If your brother, a Hebrew man, or a Hebrew woman, is sold to you and serves you six years, then in the seventh year you shall let him go free from you. 13 And when you send him away free from you, you shall not let him go away empty-handed; 14 you shall supply him liberally from your flock, from your threshing floor, and from your winepress. From what the LORD your God has blessed you with, you shall give to him. 15 You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the LORD your God redeemed you; therefore I command you this thing today. 16 And if it happens that he says to you, ‘I will not go away from you,’ because he loves you and your house, since he prospers with you, 17 then you shall take an awl and thrust it through his ear to the door, and he shall be your servant forever. Also to your female servant you shall do likewise. 18 It shall not seem hard to you when you send him away free from you; for he has been worth a double hired servant in serving you six years. Then the LORD your God will bless you in all that you do.

The Law Concerning Firstborn Animals