Psalm 15:5
5 He that putteth not out [nathan] his money [keceph] to
usury, [neshek] nor taketh [laqach] reward [shachad] against
the innocent. [naqiy] He that doeth [`asah] these things shall never [`owlam] be moved. [mowt]KJV-Interlinear
5 He
does not put out his money at interest, Nor does he take a bribe against the
innocent. He who does these things will never be shaken. NASB
To lend money at a
reasonable rate, or at a legal rate that itself is reasonable, was and is an acceptable
practice.
To lend money at a such a
high rate such that the percentage of interest itself becomes abusive and
oppressive, is not acceptable. This
takes advantage of the poor or anyone who cannot bear the burden of the debt
that they need in order to function in life.
Burdens on the poor just
makes them even poorer, placing them at a disadvantage in society, and prevents
them from contributing productively to society. Burdens on the middle class just makes them
less productive, which slows economies. Burdens on the rich tend to burden the
fundamental principles of economies and renders even more burdens on society
overall.
The mature believer does not
enter into business transactions that place others under a burden or at a
disadvantage. God gives and God takes
away. The individual believer likewise
receives all that he has, from God and does not need to place burdens on
people.
Reward, means bribe in a
sense. The mature believer does not take
money or payments that may sway his decisions.
Whether a judge on the bench, a referee on a playing field, a contractor
letting out contracts, or whatever. The
mature believer treats all fairly and equally and does not use bias or
prejudice or money to determine his decisions.
Therefore, these answers
are directed at the initial question in verse one, ‘Who may live and associate with
God?’
This answer begins with
salvation. One must first be in Gods
family.
Next the individual must
live their life in righteousness, verse two.
That means that the
individual must abide by Gods rules, live their life with honesty, with
dignity, with integrity, with compassion, with charity, with obedience, and
must not mix the sin ruled world, in with the spiritual guidelines of faith.
Thus, the believer who
lives their life from within the spiritual sphere of fellowship, which is
obtained by means of confession, is in fact, living within the presence of God
and actively associating with God by means of Gods will, through doctrine
resident in their soul.
Doctrine does not take up
residence within ones soul unless or until it is learned, and believed, and
accepted, and used in ones life. Apart
from that process, you do not have a ‘functioning’ relationship with God, regardless
of what you think or how sincere or well meaning you might be.
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