The Sixth Commandment
No pledge could jeopardize one’s livelihood.
Deuteronomy 24.6
“No one shall take a mill or an upper millstone in pledge, for that would be taking a life in pledge.”
Taking someone’s livelihood in pledge for a loan was absolutely forbidden. It is part of being in the image of God for men to work; thus, no one could deprive another of his vocation and means of support without, at the same time, assaulting his dignity as the image-bearer of God.
Loans were not encouraged, but, of course, they were necessary from time to time. With the loan came the pledge, usually a physical token given to the lender as a declaration of intent to repay. But that pledge could not be of the sort that jeopardized a man’s ability to provide for himself and his family or to repay his pledge, or that compromised his dignity as the image-bearer of God. Nor, if he was a Hebrew, could interest be fixed to the loan (although there is a debate about whether the issue is interest or inordinate interest, that is, usury).
We are now accepting registrations for the course, Spiritual Maturity 1: Revival. This free, six-session course by T. M. Moore allows you to study by yourself or with a mentor, and includes free resources from Patrick, Columbanus, Luther, and Edwards, among others. Visit The Ailbe Seminary for more information on this training opportunity.
