Leviticus 25:36-39 “’Do not take interest or any profit from them [poor Israelites], but fear your God, so that they may continue to live among you. You must not lend him money at interest or sell them food at a profit. I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt to give you the land of Canaan and to be your God.’”
Moses spoke this to the Israelites when they were all in the wilderness prior to entering the Promised Land. They were all poor and unemployed at the time. There were no coins and nowhere to spend them if you had them unless you wanted to buy a goat from a fellow pilgrim. However, the warning was clear. When you arrive, be kind to the poor and jobless. Realize too that this was directed to individuals, not the future government of Israel, so it is not entitlement or socialism.
Principle: Do not take advantage of the poor people considering what God has done for you.
A home-equity lender in Southern California was charged with deceptive practices, overcharging borrowers by million of dollars. Borrowers with poor credit and retired people were the victims of his predatory lending practices. They were charged up to 25% for making the loan, through misleading sales tactics. Fortunately, through the court, this company’s practices were stopped. But the process of taking advantage of the poor and the uninformed continues on today.
Sam Menlo came to America as an immigrant at the age of 26 having been in a concentration camp where he watched the Nazis execute his family and friends. He bought or built a huge number of apartments and convalescent hospitals and became a notorious slumlord. The apartments he acquired were in a constant deplorable state of repairs. He would not pay a plumber to fix toilets. He would not correct unsanitary conditions. It was so bad that a judge sentenced him to live in one of his own apartments. What elegant justice.
I hope that there is no “Sam Menlo blindness” in us. God has blessed and delivered us. It is particularly sad when the needy person is one of “our own.” Help others if you are able to do so. It may be complicated, but it is worth doing – for God’s sake.
Discussion:
1. Where have you seen the poor taken advantage of?
2. When have you stepped in and helped someone in need?
3. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any “Sam Menlo blindness” in your personal or business life.
