Deuteronomy 24:15Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

We are called to be open and to acknowledge poverty as deserving of our special attention. This is reiterated in Deuteronomy, where it is stated, “Thou shalt not offend a hireling, poor and destitute, of thy brethren, or of thy strangers, which are in thy land, in thy dwellings: thou shalt give his wages the same day, lest the sun go down before it; for he is poor, and his soul waiteth for it; lest he cry against thee unto the Lord, and there be sin upon thee” (Deuteronomy 24:14-15). Can you see that He urges us to heed the plea of the needy, motivating us to care for one another? Moreover, the new teachings offered by Christ, which embody the highest moral standard, instruct us: “Sell your possessions and give alms,” assuring us that all will be well with us (Luke 12:33-31). This was exemplified by some of the believers, who sold their lands and homes and “laid them at the apostles’ feet; and to each one was given what he had need of” (Acts 4:34-35).

Similarly, the divine principles instruct us against taking advantage of others for personal benefit and explicitly prohibit the denial of fair wages to those who labor for us. Compassion compels us to assist those in need, while cruelty seeks to accumulate more than it contributes. If someone requires your assistance because they are unable to repay a debt, it is fundamentally wrong, masquerading as kindness, to demand more from someone already unable to pay! You free the borrower from the lender only to ensnare him as your own debtor. It is essential to recognize that calling such behavior humanity merely serves to deepen the injustice.