15:9Deuteronomy 15:9

Beware means not to withhold help or a needed loan from a poor brother because the seventh year of release when debts are canceled is near, for to refuse aid for that reason is sin when his cry goes up to the Lord.6T 270.2+2 Such refusal comes from a wicked, hard, selfish and resentful heart and an evil, ungenerous eye that fears loss, counts timing for self, and grieves to give.Lt 16, 1898, par. 5–9+2 In its place is required an open heart and willing hand that lends enough to meet the need and gives what is required, which God answers with blessing on the work.ST May 14, 1896+2 It is part of a continuing command to remember the poor and supply their wants, for they are left in the land to give constant opportunity to resist selfishness and share what God has entrusted.ST May 14, 1896+2 How the need is met tests character and moral worth and builds the moral fitness needed for heaven, so mercy, right dealing and forgiveness of debts are required toward a fellow believer, and means entrusted for the poor must not be withheld or turned to selfish use.Lt 95, 1894, par. 1–3+3

The warning forbids holding back help or a needed loan from a poor brother on the ground that the seventh year, the year of release when debts are canceled, is close at hand.6T 270.2+4 To resent the needy borrower and refuse to give or lend when help is needed is sin.6T 270.2+2 The poor man's cry to the Lord against the one who withholds brings the refusal before God and makes it answerable to Him.6T 270.2+4

That refusal is condemned as coming from a wicked, hard, selfish and resentful heart.Lt 16, 1898, par. 5–9+2 It is an evil, ungenerous eye toward the poor brother.Lt 111, 1886, par. 4–5+2 It includes fear of losing repayment if the debt is soon released, calculation of self-interest and timing of the release, and grieving over giving.PP 532.5–533.1+3

In place of refusal is commanded an open heart and willing generosity.ST May 14, 1896+2 The needy are to be lent enough to meet the need and given what they require, without resentment and without grudging.Lt 111, 1886, par. 4–5+2 Such giving to the needy is met with God's blessing on one's work.Ms 26, 1891, par. 29–32

The warning belongs to a continuing command to remember the poor and supply their needs.ST May 14, 1896+2 The poor were left to remain in the land so that there would always be opportunity to resist selfishness and to share what God has entrusted.ST May 14, 1896 This obligation was not made less binding by Christ's teaching, for He repeated its principle and applied it to caring for the poor, the disabled, and the afflicted.ST May 14, 1896

The verse calls for mercy, compassion, tenderness and right dealing toward a fellow believer when a debt is in dispute, forbidding any withholding of help because release is near as sin that the poor brother's cry brings before the Lord.Lt 95, 1894, par. 1–3+1 It requires forgiving debts owed by distressed fellow believers and releasing claims against them in obedience to God's law.Lt 111, 1886, par. 6–9 Brothers are to treat one another by God's rules, forgiving others as they desire God to forgive their own debt.Lt 111, 1886, par. 6–9

The same warning forbids neglecting a poor sister who cannot support herself, requiring those able to help to give to her, with hardhearted refusal leaving her to cry to the Lord and bringing sin and violation of God's law upon the one who refused.Lt 14, 1884, par. 1–6 It likewise forbids neglecting a faithful servant left in poverty, showing an evil heart when help is withheld because release is near, and it requires those who benefited from his service to give him needed help without grudging.Lt 22, 1901, par. 25–27

The principle extends to faithful ministers who become unable to work and lack support, whose needs and those of their dependents are to be provided for, including through a dedicated fund, since generous lending enough to meet need and willing giving without resentment is met with God's blessing on one's work.Ms 26, 1891, par. 29–32

The verse upholds shared giving in which even the poor give according to their means, while those with wealth help people made unable to give by sickness or misfortune so they can still bring an offering, and this shared support preserves mutual interest.SG4 209.1 It directs care to needy people who suffer for keeping God's commandments, rather than diverting that help to those who persist in breaking them, since refusing aid to the poor brings guilt before the Lord.SG4 209.1+1

Meeting the poor's needs as the verse requires tests character and moral worth and develops the moral perfection needed for translation to heaven.Lt 39, 1874, par. 16 God's resources are to be used to help the poor and must not be withheld or diverted for selfish projects.Ms 40, 1898, par. 17 Solomon spent money intended to aid the suffering on ambitious projects and to please his wives, leaving the poor without the houses, food and clothing God had directed them to receive and burdening them with heavy taxes.Ms 40, 1898, par. 17