Leviticus 25: This Land Is God's Land

"The land shall not be sold in perpetuity, for the land is mine; with me you are but aliens and tenants" (vs. 23).

Leviticus 25 is a chapter full of principles of Economic Justice.  In it, we find such teachings as:

• "The Year of Jubilee" - Every 50 years, land was to be returned to its original family (vs. 10).  The "buying and selling" of land was actually a lease that was only valid until the next year of the Jubilee.  Prices were computed accordingly.  All the land belongs to God.
• Seventh-Year Fallow - Even the land gets a sabbath (vs. 2).  Fields may be sown and vineyards pruned for six years, but on the seventh year, they are to be given rest.
• Kinsman Redemption - If someone gets in trouble, their relatives are expected to help them out (vs. 35).
• Rules for Employment - Fellow Israelites were not to be slaves, but hired workers (vs. 39).  The Israelites are God's people, His servants.  Slavery was permissible, but only for those from other nations (vs. 44-46).
• Redemption from Slavery - If an Israelite sold himself into slavery to a foreigner because of economic hardship, he would have the right to later buy himself back (vs. 48).  If he does not, he and any children of his go free in the Year of Jubilee (vs. 54).

While we do not practice such principles today in our capitalistic economic system, these rules reveal that God is interested in all spheres of life - economic included.  It is not true that "God isn't interested in our economic decisions," either as individuals or as a society.

Consider the decisions you make regarding how you earn, spend, and save your money.  What do you think God would say about the way you treat others economically?