God commanded that the Israelites were to cancel debts to a fellow Israelite at the end of every seven years. Toward the poor, they should not be hardhearted or tightfisted; rather, they should be openhanded and give generously without a grudging heart. Then God would bless them richly. They would be lenders, not borrowers, and rule, not be ruled. There are and there always will be poor people in the world. Yet, it should not be an excuse for indifference and hardheartedness. A closed hand is a fist; it turns inward. An open hand is a welcoming hand. Jesus lived with open hands. He gave even his life with open hands on the cross. The presence of the poor calls us and gives us an opportunity to show openhanded generosity.

The year of cancelation also applied to Hebrew servants who were set free in the seventh year. Masters were to provide for servants liberally when they freed them. As God freed them from slavery in Egypt, they were to free their servants with blessings. However, servants who wanted to stay were to be bondservants permanently. Christians made the choice to become bondservants of their own free will to Christ. Because we choose to love Him, we desire to please him with all we have.


Application: Lord, help me have Jesus' heart and love for the needy, remembering that you canceled my sins and freed me from the bondage of sin.
One Word: Remember God's salvation work in us