35 'And when thy brother is become poor, and his hand hath failed with thee, then thou hast kept hold on him, sojourner and settler, and he hath lived with thee; 36 thou takest no usury from him, or increase; and thou hast been afraid of thy God; and thy brother hath lived with thee; 37 thy money thou givest not to him in usury, and for increase thou givest not thy food; 38 I 'am' Jehovah your God, who hath brought you out of the land of Egypt, to give to you the land of Canaan, to become your God.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Leviticus 25:35-38
Commentary on Leviticus 25:35-38
(Read Leviticus 25:35-38)
Poverty and decay are great grievances, and very common; the poor ye have always with you. Thou shalt relieve him; by sympathy, pitying the poor; by service, doing for them; and by supply, giving to them according to their necessity, and thine ability. Poor debtors must not be oppressed. Observe the arguments here used against extortion: "Fear thy God." Relieve the poor, "that they may live with thee;" for they may be serviceable to thee. The rich can as ill spare the poor, as the poor can the rich. It becomes those that have received mercy to show mercy.