Beware that there be not a thought in thy wicked heart, saying, The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand; and thine eye be evil against thy poor brother, and thou givest him nought; and he cry unto the LORD against thee, and it be sin unto thee.
Be careful not to have this selfish thought in your heart: 'The seventh year when all debts are forgiven is coming soon, so I won't lend anything to my poor neighbor.' Don't be stingy toward your needy brother and refuse to help him, or he will cry out to the LORD against you, and you will be guilty of sin.
God is warning against being selfish with money or help just because you know debts will soon be forgiven—generosity shouldn't depend on whether you'll get paid back.
📚 Historical Context
This was part of God's law for Israel regarding the sabbatical year, which occurred every seven years when all debts were to be canceled and Hebrew slaves freed. Moses was warning the Israelites not to become stingy as this debt-forgiveness year approached, refusing to lend to those in need simply because they knew they wouldn't be repaid.
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