“Go, sell the oil and pay your debts. You and your sons can live on what is left.” 2 Kings 4:7
Today, unless one is wealthy, it is nearly impossible to avoid debt. Schooling, housing, and transportation have become so costly it is almost impossible to function without debt.
When we look at the idea of debt, especially in the Old Testament, we see a much different view than we have today. There were no banks from which to borrow money and repay the loan. It was not the rich who merely borrowed money. It was the poor. Poverty was common among the Israelites. Wars, taxes, and famine led to many debtors. Often these people were thrown into debtor’s prison until their debt could be paid.
A primary focus was on providing those who were greatly blessed an opportunity to help their fellow man who was deep in debt. It was an act of love to help someone in financial trouble during their crisis. Psalm 37:21 says, “The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously.” Israelites were not even allowed to charge interest on a loan. Exodus 22:25 says, “If you lend money to one of my people among you who is needy, do not treat it like a business deal; charge no interest.” Deuteronomy 15:1 goes even further: “At the end of every seven years you must cancel debts.” All slates were wiped clean every seven years!
Each day we pray in the Lord’s Prayer, “Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors” (Matthew 6:12). Our sin has left us with a huge debt that we owe our holy God. We thank Jesus for paying that debt for us.
From Precious Words of the Bible by Reynold R. Kremer