Deuteronomy 15:7-17

7 If there are poor among you, in one of the towns of the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not be selfish or greedy toward them.
8 But give freely to them, and freely lend them whatever they need.
9 Beware of evil thoughts. Don't think, "The seventh year is near, the year to cancel what people owe." You might be mean to the needy and not give them anything. Then they will complain to the Lord about you, and he will find you guilty of sin.
10 Give freely to the poor person, and do not wish that you didn't have to give. The Lord your God will bless your work and everything you touch.
11 There will always be poor people in the land, so I command you to give freely to your neighbors and to the poor and needy in your land.
12 If one of your own people sells himself to you as a slave, whether it is a Hebrew man or woman, that person will serve you for six years. But in the seventh year you must let the slave go free.
13 When you let slaves go, don't send them away without anything.
14 Give them some of your flock, your grain, and your wine, giving to them as the Lord has given to you.
15 Remember that you were slaves in Egypt, and the Lord your God saved you. That is why I am commanding this to you today.
16 But if your slave says to you, "I don't want to leave you," because he loves you and your family and has a good life with you,
17 stick an awln through his ear into the door; he will be your slave for life. Also do this to a female slave.

Deuteronomy 15:7-17 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.

Scripture taken from the New Century Version. Copyright © 1987, 1988, 1991 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.