1 “Every seventh year you shall grant a remission of debts. 2 And this is the manner of the remission: every creditor shall remit the claim that is held against a neighbor, not exacting it, because the Lord’s remission has been proclaimed. 3 Of a foreigner you may exact it, but you must remit your claim on whatever any member of your community owes you. 4 There will, however, be no one in need among you, because the Lord is sure to bless you in the land that the Lord your God is giving you as a possession to occupy, 5 if only you will obey the Lord your God by diligently observing this entire commandment that I command you today. 6 When the Lord your God has blessed you, as he promised you, you will lend to many nations, but you will not borrow; you will rule over many nations, but they will not rule over you.

Prayer Focus: Deuteronomy 15 might seem like an odd text to consider as our summer worship series, Tending the Soul, continues with the spiritual practice of “community” or caring for others. It begins with a command to grant a remission of debts every seventh year. We cannot quite imagine this practice today, especially in a “banking town” like Charlotte. And yet, this command is based on two foundations. First, the Lord your God will bless the community so that no one will be in need. God will provide enough for everyone. Second, debt consolidates resources in the hands of a few, so debts must be forgiven from time to time to ensure everyone in the community is able to enjoy the “enough” God has provided. What might that look like in the world today? Pray for eyes to see and a heart to work for caring for those who find themselves burdened by debt today.

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