Topical Bible: Property: Personal: Sold for Debt

◄ Property: Personal: Sold for Debt ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

In biblical times, the concept of selling personal property to settle debts is addressed within the legal and social frameworks of ancient Israel. The practice reflects the economic realities and societal norms of the period, where personal property, including land and even individuals, could be leveraged to satisfy financial obligations.

Old Testament Context

The Mosaic Law provides several regulations concerning debt and the sale of property. In Leviticus 25, the Year of Jubilee is introduced as a divine ordinance to prevent the permanent loss of property due to debt. Every fiftieth year, land that had been sold was to be returned to its original family owners, ensuring that the economic balance within the tribes of Israel was maintained. Leviticus 25:23-24 states, "The land must not be sold permanently, because it is Mine, and you are but foreigners and sojourners with Me. Thus for every piece of property you possess, you must provide for the redemption of the land."

The law also made provisions for individuals who fell into debt. If a person became impoverished and sold themselves into servitude to pay off debts, they were to be treated with dignity and released in the Year of Jubilee (Leviticus 25:39-41). This reflects a compassionate approach to debt, emphasizing restoration and the prevention of perpetual servitude.

New Testament Insights

While the New Testament does not directly address the sale of property for debt, it does provide teachings on financial responsibility and the moral obligations of believers. Jesus' parables often touch on themes of stewardship and the wise management of resources. In the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant (Matthew 18:23-35), Jesus highlights the importance of mercy and forgiveness in financial dealings, suggesting that the spirit of the law should guide economic transactions.

The Apostle Paul, in his epistles, encourages believers to live within their means and avoid the bondage of debt. Romans 13:8 advises, "Be indebted to no one, except to one another in love, for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law." This underscores the principle that financial obligations should not overshadow the higher calling of love and community.

Cultural and Historical Considerations

In ancient Israel, the sale of property for debt was not merely a financial transaction but a deeply social and familial issue. Land was tied to tribal identity and inheritance, and its loss could have significant implications for a family's future. The laws provided by God through Moses were designed to protect families from generational poverty and to ensure that the community remained intact.

The practice of selling oneself or one's family members into servitude was a last resort and was regulated to prevent abuse. The laws emphasized the temporary nature of such arrangements and the eventual restoration of freedom and property.

Theological Reflections

The biblical approach to debt and property reflects a broader theological theme of redemption and restoration. God's laws concerning debt were not only practical but also symbolic of His desire for His people to live in freedom and community. The Year of Jubilee, in particular, is a powerful image of God's grace and the ultimate restoration that He offers to humanity.

In summary, the biblical treatment of personal property sold for debt reveals a complex interplay of law, mercy, and community responsibility. It highlights the importance of economic justice and the protection of individuals and families from perpetual hardship.

Nave's Topical Index

Proverbs 22:26,27
Be not you one of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Calumny Concerning the Righteousness of the Prophets and Apostles.
... from himself; or who has even sold all his ... altogether, but pays and repays the debt
of carnal ... when he is asked;"possesses personal property, giving thence ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 14 v calumny concerning the.htm

Acts iv. 23
... he speaks of it as a debt or obligation ... selling and distributing their real and personal
property--ta ktemata ... possessors of lands or houses," sold them, brought ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xi acts iv 23.htm

part ii.
... ten pounds from the ship for food he had sold. ... debt by the purchase of valuable property,
knowing that ... It would also deepen our sense of personal devotement to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/clark/the faithful steward/part ii.htm

The Unmerciful Servant.
... to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his ... These servants were not slaves,
the property of their master ... One man, who owes all to the personal favour of ...
/.../arnot/the parables of our lord/viii the unmerciful servant.htm

The Battle of the Books, 1749-1755.
... cannot have had much respect for their personal character ... followed her to the grave,
her property should then ... letter Rhodes declared that he had sold his estate ...
/.../hutton/history of the moravian church/chapter xiii the battle of.htm

Providential Guidance
... seemed very clear that the lost property"including everything ... Or men unto themselves
are sold, And cannot ... from an insufficient supply for personal needs, but ...
/.../taylor/a retrospect/chapter xiv providential guidance.htm

The Mystery of Personality
... free from illness the larger part of his life, and from personal bereavements, for
his ... At one time when a parishioner sold a piece of property and asked ...
/.../herrick/frank h nelson of cincinnati/the mystery of personality.htm

Methodist Book Concern
... the have other means of accumulating property, they will ... in their saddle-bags, and
after preaching sold them to ... them away, at their own personal expense, to ...
/.../chapter 16 methodist book concern.htm

The Three Last Parables of the Per??an Series: the Unrighteous ...
... in other words, then, a sense of our personal need, or humility ... that servant,' with
his family and all his property, was ordered to be sold, [4699] and ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xix the three last.htm

The First victory for Dissent
... No matter how much his own personal interests might ... how well the colonial division
of property had worked ... the foodstuffs the surplus of which she sold to the ...
/.../chapter viii the first victory.htm