October 4, 2013
FOLLOWING OUR REDEEMER, GIVING I AM VENERATION EVERY DAY
Deuteronomy 15:1-11
Laura Smith
Central Truth
Forgiveness is a big deal to God, and He expects us to take it seriously. Generosity is important to God, and He calls us to give generously. It all boils down to the condition of our hearts: what's inside?
Key Verse | Deuteronomy 15:10
"You shall generously give to him, and your heart shall not be grieved when you give to him, because for this thing the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in all your undertakings." (Deuteronomy 15:10)
Deuteronomy 15:1-11
The Sabbatical Year
1 At the end of every seven years you shall grant a release. 2 And this is the manner of the release: every creditor shall release what he has lent to his neighbor. He shall not exact it of his neighbor, his brother, because the LORD's release has been proclaimed. 3 Of a foreigner you may exact it, but whatever of yours is with your brother your hand shall release. 4 But there will be no poor among you; for the LORD will bless you in the land that the LORD your God is giving you for an inheritance to possess— 5 if only you will strictly obey the voice of the LORD your God, being careful to do all this commandment that I command you today. 6 For the LORD your God will bless you, as he promised you, and you shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow, and you shall rule over many nations, but they shall not rule over you.
7 If among you, one of your brothers should become poor, in any of your towns within your land that the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart or shut your hand against your poor brother, 8 but you shall open your hand to him and lend him sufficient for his need, whatever it may be. 9 Take care lest there be an unworthy thought in your heart and you say, ‘The seventh year, the year of release is near,’ and your eye look grudgingly 1 15:9 Or be evil; also verse 10 on your poor brother, and you give him nothing, and he cry to the LORD against you, and you be guilty of sin. 10 You shall give to him freely, and your heart shall not be grudging when you give to him, because for this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in all that you undertake. 11 For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.’
Dive Deeper | Deuteronomy 15:1-11
God knows our unforgiving, selfish, and greedy hearts. He knew we would need to be coached into forgiveness, selflessness, and generosity. He knew we would need the gifts of His grace and forgiveness that only come through Christ. People who had borrowed had to try to work to pay off their debts, yet ultimately couldn't do it. The ones who had lent to them had a hard time with this, so the Lord set aside an entire year of forgiveness every seven years. Some people may read where it talks about obedience leading to blessings through the lens of the "prosperity gospel" -- but God's blessings reach far beyond monetary value: peace, joy, life, forgiveness.
When God blesses and forgives us, He does so in order that we would bless and forgive others as well . . . not keeping it for ourselves. We think that because we've worked hard for something, we deserve an awesome reward just for us. When I think back to the first time I heard the truth that I was a sinner in need of grace, I am reminded of how grateful I am for the countless ways the Lord has forgiven me. My forgetting His forgiveness results in me not forgiving others or seeking their forgiveness. I need to be a good steward to those whom the Lord has put in my path: love, forgive, care for, and share the gospel with them. Fully loving the Lord means fully loving others like He does.
Forgiving others is an act of veneration (worship) because it shows that we are living like Christ calls us to live. In this passage, He talks about hearts and hands. How can I have a fully obedient heart and open hands? Love Him with all my heart (Deuteronomy 13:3-4) and forgive as I've been forgiven (Colossians 3:13). Be a good steward of the things you have been entrusted with -- His Word, resources, time -- and use them all for His glory!
Discussion Questions
1. What excuses do I make to not love or serve? Why do I put myself before others?
2. What Scripture can I use to combat the devil's temptation of not forgiving others or seeking forgiveness?
3. How can I be more loving, forgiving, and giving today?