Leviticus 25:14, 17 (NIV) "'If you sell land to one of
your countrymen or buy any from him, do not take advantage of each other... Do not take
advantage of each other, but fear your God. I am the LORD your God."
Imagine if we took these words to heart,
if we always treated one another with the principles of fairness and honesty,
what a different world we would live in. These two verses, tucked in the
section of scripture which teaches about the year of Jubilee and presents lessons
on atonement, are powerful ideas and words to live by.
Do not take advantage of each other. I am
thinking right now and wondering if I take advantage of someone. As I examine
my heart, is there selfishness there? Given the opportunity, do I take
advantage of you? It would seem that taking someone for granted is
similar to taking advantage of them; not appreciating them. Do these words ring
a chord in our hearts?
We teach our children to say please and
thank you while they are still very young; hoping to instill this practice as
habit. But I wonder, how often do I say please or acknowledge your
actions with a simple thank you? This seems like such an easy lesson, but what
a gift we give when we recognize another's value; when we let them know they
are a blessing.
While these verses have so much more
packed into them, this was the nugget God placed on my heart to share. Thanksgiving
was over a month ago, but everyday could be a day of Thanksgiving. I know that
as 2013 comes to a close and I look back over the year, I can see how it has
been filled with people who deserve my thanks.
The word Jubilee brings to mind a
celebration, a party. The end of 2013 and the start of 2014 are cause for a
celebration, a thank you party to all those who gave of themselves to others,
to me. As I am remembering the special gifts and their 'givers' today I am thanking God for them. Thank you.
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