Deuteronomy 15:18
It shall not seem hard unto thee, when thou sendest him away free from thee; for he hath been worth a double hired servant to thee, in serving thee six years: and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all that thou doest. It shall not seem hard unto thee, when thou sendest him away free from thee; for he hath been worth a double hired servant to thee, in serving thee six years: and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all that thou doest.
Releasing another from obligation is to be done with mercy and compassion rather than with reluctance or hardness of heart. It shall not seem hard when sending a servant away free, for generosity in that moment belongs to right dealing with others. Insisting only on one's own claim falls short of what is required, while doing right toward the one released endures as an eternal good. Such merciful release is therefore not loss but faithfulness that carries lasting worth.