Deuteronomy 15:7-11

Lending to the Poor

7 "If there is a poor person among you, one of your brothers within any of your gates in the land the Lord your God is giving you, you must not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother.

8 Instead, you are to open your hand to him and freely loan him enough for whatever need he has.

9 Be careful that there isn't this wicked thought in your heart, 'The seventh year, the year of canceling debts, is near,' and you are stingy toward your poor brother and give him [nothing]. He will cry out to the Lord against you, and you will be guilty.

10 Give to him, and don't have a stingy heart^[a] when you give, and because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you do.^[b]

11 For there will never cease to be poor people in the land;^[c] that is why I am commanding you, 'You must willingly open your hand to your afflicted and poor brother in your land.'

Deuteronomy 15:7-11 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO DEUTERONOMY 15

This chapter treats of a release of debts every seventh year, to which a blessing is promised if attended to, De 15:1-6, which seventh year of release should not hinder lending to a poor man in distress, even though it was nigh at hand, De 15:7-11 and of letting servants go free, whether manservant or maidservant, at the end of six years' servitude, De 15:12-15 but if unwilling to go, and desirous of staying, must have his ear bored through with an awl, and serve to the year of jubilee, De 15:16-18 and of sanctifying and eating the firstlings of the herd and flock where the Lord directs, De 15:19-23.

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit and let not your heart be grudging
• [b]. Lit you put your hand to
• [c]. Mt 26:11