Sunday, December 11, 2011

Psalm 15:5


Copyright Ó 2011 J. Neely
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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