Jubilee: God Wants His People to Live Debt Free

by Reverend Eric Lampe

It is very important to God that his people live free. It is SO important, in fact,that he included a provision in the Torah (Leviticus 25) for a year of Jubilee in each generation in which all slaves are set free, all property is returned to its original owner, and all debts are cancelled. He further ordered that:

“‘If any of your fellow Israelites become poor and are unable to support themselves among you, help them as you would a foreigner and stranger, so they can continue to live among you. Do not take interest or any profit from them, but fear your God, so that they may continue to live among you. You must not lend them money at interest or sell them food at a profit. I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt to give you the land of Canaan and to be your God. “‘If any of your fellow Israelites become poor and sell themselves to you, do not make them work as slaves. They are to be treated as hired workers or temporary residents among you; they are to work for you until the Year of Jubilee. Then they and their children are to be released, and they will go back to their own clans and to the property of their ancestors. Because the Israelites are my servants, whom I brought out of Egypt, they must not be sold as slaves. Do not rule over them ruthlessly, but fear your God. -Leviticus 25″35:43

There is to be no indebtedness for God’s people, neither as borrowers or lenders. We are not to profit from the need or another, and we are not to owe anyone but God. This is in accordance with the truth that everything belongs to God and we are but stewards of whatever he entrusts to us.

The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender. -Proverbs 22:7

Jesus came to set the captives free.When Jesus first announced his ministry, he read Isaiah 61:1-2. He announced that he was here to set free all who had become enslaved, to open the eyes of those who could not see the injustice of it all, and to shed light on those minds that were held captive to the unjust rule of the powers that be and their evil system. He then declared that, in him, Jubilee had come. The long awaited Messiah had come to set things to right.

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor -Isaiah 61:1-2

Isaiah’s use of the phrase “the year of the Lord’s favor” is a clear reference to the ancient Torah provision of Jubilee in Leviticus 25. Thus a radical restitution of the economy is here anticipated through the Messiah, Jesus. The good news of the kingdom of God, that Jesus thereafter proclaimed is debt-free living for God’s people. All debts are paid and we are never to allow ourselves to become enslaved again. We are free from fear, death, and debt forever!

Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. He began by saying to them,“Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” -Luke 4:20-21 Jesus has set us free! We can never go back to living as slaves again!

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. -John 8:36

Unfortunately, this is an area of many Christian’s lives, in which they have followed the ways of the world. If we are indebted to anyone, we must determine to free ourselves from that entanglement.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. -Romans 12:2

Clearly, it is God’s will that his people live debt-free! So get out of debt! Make a plan to pay off every penny that you owe!

“Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.” Romans 13:8

For information on getting out of debt and living debt free visit Dave Ramsey’s website.

Jacksonville Chaplain Services Copyright 2011 The Reverend Eric Lampe is a licensed and ordained community chaplain in Jacksonville, Florida. He is a devoted  husband, father, minister and Bible teacher.

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