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how do later prophets or jesus' teachings address the idea of lending and generosity?

Adds the setting and its conversation across both testaments.

Deuteronomy 23:19-20

“You shall not lend on interest to your brother: interest of money, interest of food, interest of anything that is lent on interest. To a foreigner you may lend on interest; but to your brother you shall not lend on interest, that Yahweh your God may bless you in all that you put your hand to, in the land into which you are going to possess it.”

This passage is part of the covenant laws given to the Israelites through Moses as they prepared to enter the Promised Land. It sets out specific regulations for how they are to live as a community, distinct from the surrounding nations, fostering internal support and discouraging exploitation among fellow Israelites.

How might distinguishing between internal and external community obligations shape one's approach to financial interactions today?

Then — the setting

This passage comes from the book of Deuteronomy, likely codified or composed in its present form around the 7th-6th centuries BCE, though it contains much older traditions. It addresses the newly forming nation of Israel as it prepares to settle in the land of Canaan. The prohibition against interest (usury) for 'brothers' (fellow Israelites) was a common feature of ancient Near Eastern law codes, often aimed at preventing the impoverishment and enslavement of the poor within the community, especially in agrarian societies where loans were often for survival, not investment. The distinction between 'brother' and 'foreigner' reflects the tribal and national identity of ancient Israel, where social obligations were typically stronger within the covenant community.

Across the Testaments

The Old Testament, through passages like Deuteronomy 23:19-20 and Leviticus 25:35-37, prohibits lending with interest to fellow Israelites, framing it as a matter of covenant solidarity and protection for the vulnerable within the community. While it permits lending with interest to foreigners, this was often understood in the context of trade and commercial dealings rather than predatory lending to the needy. The New Testament, particularly in Jesus' teachings (e.g., Luke 6:34-36), broadens the scope of generosity, urging followers to 'lend, expecting nothing in return.' This moves beyond the distinction between 'brother' and 'foreigner,' advocating for a radical, unconditional generosity that mirrors God's own love, challenging the transactional nature of even 'interest-free' loans if they are based on expectation of return. While not explicitly overturning the Deuteronomic law, Jesus' teaching elevates the ethical standard, calling for a generosity that transcends national or communal boundaries.

Keep thinking

Read alongside it

Leviticus 25:35-37
Another Old Testament law prohibiting interest on loans to fellow Israelites, emphasizing support for the poor.
Luke 6:34-36
Jesus teaches about lending without expecting repayment, extending generosity beyond narrow community boundaries.
Proverbs 28:8
A wisdom saying about wealth gained by interest, suggesting it will ultimately go to the generous.

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