If you lend money to My people -- to the poor person among you, you must not be like a moneylender to him; you must not charge him interest. - Exodus 22:25
One of the most difficult ministries to manage within a local church has to be benevolence. It is so difficult, in fact, that many churches abandon it altogether, choosing instead to form an alliance with other churches in a sort of "clearing house" to meet needs. This takes some of the pressure off of an individual church and also keeps untrustworthy people from abusing the system by traveling from church to church looking for help.
But what if the need is within the church? Then what do you do?
God instructed Moses on the process of meeting needs among the Israelites. Apparently, they were not in the habit of giving aid, but would gladly lend it, with interest. Of course, in that culture and age if the lender could not repay he (and his family) would become indentured servants until the debt was cancelled. Interest on the loan made it that much harder to repay and many were forced into "employment" to accomplish repayment.
That was then and this is now, so what can we do? As a practical matter, never loan money to a brother or sister in Christ, unless you would be willing to just give them the same amount. In fact, consider it a gift from the start and that way it may never become a point of division between you.
We don't need more to be thankful for, we just need to be more thankful. - Daily Bread
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