God's Way of Handling Money and Finances
Scripture Passage: Deuteronomy 23: 15-25 (NASB)
15 “You shall not hand over to his master a slave who has escaped from his master to you. 16 He shall live with you in your midst, in the place which he shall choose in one of your towns where it pleases him; you shall not mistreat him.
17 “None of the daughters of Israel shall be a cult prostitute, nor shall any of the sons of Israel be a cult prostitute. 18 You shall not bring the hire of a harlot or the wages of a dog into the house of the Lord your God for any votive offering, for both of these are an abomination to the Lord your God.
19 “You shall not charge interest to your countrymen: interest on money, food, or anything that may be loaned at interest. 20 You may charge interest to a foreigner, but to your countrymen you shall not charge interest, so that the Lord your God may bless you in all that you undertake in the land which you are about to enter to possess.
21 “When you make a vow to the Lord your God, you shall not delay to pay it, for it would be sin in you, and the Lord your God will surely require it of you. 22 However, if you refrain from vowing, it would not be sin in you. 23 You shall be careful to perform what goes out from your lips, just as you have voluntarily vowed to the Lord your God, what you have promised.
24 “When you enter your neighbor’s vineyard, then you may eat grapes until you are fully satisfied, but you shall not put any in your basket.
25 “When you enter your neighbor’s standing grain, then you may pluck the heads with your hand, but you shall not wield a sickle in your neighbor’s standing grain.
SUMMARY
Moses teaches the Israelites about the principles in earning money. First, none of the Israelites should be a cult prostitute. Second, they should not hire a harlot or male prostitute for any reason. If money is earned in this way, it cannot be brought as an offering to the house of God because it is an abomination to the Lord. Lastly, Moses instructs them not to charge any interest to fellow countrymen but charge interest to foreigners when lending food or money. When these are followed, God promises to bless in all that they undertake in the land.
MEDITATION & REFLECTION
Moses did not want the Israelites to get tainted by pagan culture and custom of people living in the land of Canaan but continue to live a sanctified and holy life. Living a sanctified and holy life means to make choices and decisions that please the Lord, and that applies in every aspect of life including how they earn money. God certainly did not want the Israelites to become a cult prostitute and even be associated with harlots and male prostitutes in earning money. God considered those money abominable and would not accept as an offering. God is not interested in how much money we make or how much offering we give. He wants us to make choices that please and glorify Him in the process. Moses further instructs the Israelites to show generosity to fellow countrymen when lending money or food. This was to treat fellow countrymen with love and never use each other to gain profits. When we treat others with love and generosity, God promises to bless in all (v.20). James 1:17 says “every good gift and every perfect gift is from above…” God is the ultimate giver of gifts including finances. We need to genuinely love one another rather than considering others as means of making money.
APPLICATION
I have been searching for a job since August and been looking at countless job postings every day. While meditating on today’s QT passage, I realized that I need to pray more for wisdom and discernment in choosing the right company to work for. As an employee, I am expected to follow a company’s rules and protocols. I do not want to earn money working for a company which makes profits in illegitimate ways or treat people without love and respect. It will be difficult to know about working conditions at this time but I believe it can be done through prayers. I will continue to pray for God’s guidance in my job searching process and I will say a quick prayer for wisdom and discernment every day before looking at job postings.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father,
You called me to be holy in every aspect of life. Yet I make wrong choices often and fail to live a holy life. Please forgive my ignorance and sins. Help me make daily choices that please you. Also help me to see the needs of others and give me a genuine heart to love and care for others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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