EXODUS 22
25 “If you lend money to any of my people with you who is poor, you shall not be like a moneylender to him, and you shall not exact interest from him. 26 If ever you take your neighbor’s cloak in pledge, you shall return it to him before the sun goes down, 27 for that is his only covering, and it is his cloak for his body; in what else shall he sleep? And if he cries to me, I will hear, for I am compassionate.28 “You shall not revile God, nor curse a ruler of your people.29 “You shall not delay to offer from the fullness of your harvest and from the outflow of your presses. The firstborn of your sons you shall give to me. 30 You shall do the same with your oxen and with your sheep: seven days it shall be with its mother; on the eighth day you shall give it to me.31 “You shall be consecrated to me. Therefore you shall not eat any flesh that is torn by beasts in the field; you shall throw it to the dogs. – Exodus 22:25-31
EXODUS 22 ON TREATING THE POOR AND ON GIVING YOUR BEST TO GOD
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
The Lord wants us to show compassion to the poor and needy
Whenever they come to us, we ought to give out of generosity
We must give our best when we give an offering to God
For he is the one who gave us all that we possess and have.
Many bible verses tell us that we serve a God who is full of steadfast love and compassion. He takes care of all our needs and always comforts us. He is merciful and just in how he treats us, forgiving us and doesn’t give us punishments we deserve all the time.
Since he made us all in his own image, he placed in our hearts an ability to show compassion and love for others as well. But because of our sinful nature, we usually forget to show such consideration and kindness to the poor and needy. We get so wrapped up in our own little world that we build for ourselves, one that prioritizes our comfort and our security. Because we live in a fallen world, we only think of our own welfare most of the time. God stipulated laws so we can go against our nature and follow the design that he made us to be: loving and compassionate human beings. He requires us to give our best to him. I think it is a protection for our idolatrous nature to ask from us to give our best to him so we don’t feed our selfish nature that wants to go against God’s design.
REFLECTION
· How can our selfish nature hinder us from being compassionate to others?
