Usury is the Manifestation of the Abominable Thinking that Not Only Do Others "Owe" One something, but that Others owe MORE than is "Owed" to oneself
Hath given forth upon usury, and hath taken increase: shall he then
live? he shall not live: he hath done all these abominations; he shall
surely die; his blood shall be upon him (Ezekiel 18:13).
Many in the modern world and also, tragically, in the modern Church are very entrenched in the doctrine of 'rights'. This is simply the belief that others owe one something. The manifestation of this are all those secular do-good campaigns which promote the idea of being a good person, but all without reference to God. This makes such moves all the more abominable, as the good works of the unrighteous as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6).
The human heart loves to be owed something by others. The feeling of being owed something by others stirs up the pride of the life, as one can use that to deceive oneself into thinking one is less sinful that those who do not suffer as much. This is the manifestation of the belief that others owe one something.
No one owes you anything, not even those who have sinned in a way directed against you. No, they owe all to God, and nothing to you. As the psalmist says, "Against thee [God], thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest" (Psalm 51:4).
Likewise, a borrower sins by not repaying debt, because it is sin against God and God alone, and not against the lender. Psalm 37:21 is not a means to justify the legalism of the human heart which demands that money that one lends is owe to the lender, such that he is some right to not only demand what he so-called 'owes', but more than what he is 'duly owed'
Yet, that is how so many professing followers of Christ think, in relation to everything, and especially in relation to money. That is why they can't understand, in their hearts, mind and soul why usury is sin.
Usury demands more than what one is duly owed, is one is duly owed anything at all. If anything is duly owed to a person, it is duly owed to God, for sin is against God and God alone.
As Jesus said:
34 And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. 35 But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. 36 Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful (Luke 6:34-36).
Many in the modern world and also, tragically, in the modern Church are very entrenched in the doctrine of 'rights'. This is simply the belief that others owe one something. The manifestation of this are all those secular do-good campaigns which promote the idea of being a good person, but all without reference to God. This makes such moves all the more abominable, as the good works of the unrighteous as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6).
The human heart loves to be owed something by others. The feeling of being owed something by others stirs up the pride of the life, as one can use that to deceive oneself into thinking one is less sinful that those who do not suffer as much. This is the manifestation of the belief that others owe one something.
No one owes you anything, not even those who have sinned in a way directed against you. No, they owe all to God, and nothing to you. As the psalmist says, "Against thee [God], thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest" (Psalm 51:4).
Likewise, a borrower sins by not repaying debt, because it is sin against God and God alone, and not against the lender. Psalm 37:21 is not a means to justify the legalism of the human heart which demands that money that one lends is owe to the lender, such that he is some right to not only demand what he so-called 'owes', but more than what he is 'duly owed'
Yet, that is how so many professing followers of Christ think, in relation to everything, and especially in relation to money. That is why they can't understand, in their hearts, mind and soul why usury is sin.
Usury demands more than what one is duly owed, is one is duly owed anything at all. If anything is duly owed to a person, it is duly owed to God, for sin is against God and God alone.
As Jesus said:
34 And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. 35 But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. 36 Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful (Luke 6:34-36).
Comments
Post a Comment