PASSAGE: "Give liberally and be ungrudging when you do so, for on this account the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in all that you undertake. Since there will never cease to be some in need on the earth, I therefore command you, 'Open your hand to the poor and needy neighbor in your land'" (Deuteronomy 15:10-11).
QUESTION: I have a labor of love that at times causes so much stress because it is so demanding of my time away from my family.
COMMENT: Chapter 15 of Deuteronomy begins with this startling sentence: "Every seventh year you shall grant a remission of debts." (I can't help wondering how many of those who insist on a literal reading of the Bible in terms of other social issues are strictly adherent to this one simple sentence in their own lives.) The rest of the chapter recognizes that this will be a challenging rule to implement and offers some helpful suggestions.
Again and again throughout the Bible—and, indeed, in other religious beliefs as well—there is a recognition of the spiritual power of the number seven. It seems to be universally true that the process of being the Christ—of expressing our infinite spiritual Power in this limited human experience—involves a seven-step rhythm of action and release. God rests on the seventh day of creation. Exodus 23:10-11 stipulates that farm land is to lie fallow every seventh year. And here debts are to be released every seven years. Instead of the legalistic obligation of debt, this passage suggests a heart-centered, Spirit-centered liberality of giving freely and lovingly, without expectation of return. This essentially allows us to relax our human concerns and focus on amounts and measurements and allows God to express in the energy of release that concludes each seven-part rhythm. There will always be human needs to be met while we're here in mortal form—"there will never cease to be some in need on the earth"—but it's important that we also take the time to relax, be still, allow God to flow through us. It's in the creative energy of the seventh day that we bring the kingdom into expression.
Blessings!
Rev. Ed
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Interpret This with Rev. Ed
Have you ever wondered how a specific Bible verse might be interpreted metaphysically? Interpret This provides greater insight into the hidden meanings of the Bible.
To Request Scripture Interpretation:
1. Review the previous interpretations below for previous interpretations.
2. Please provide a specific chapter and verse(s). If chosen for interpretation, our Bible expert, Rev. Ed Townley, will provide his insight and the response will post on this site. Requests for entire books of the Bible are not possible.
3. Click the link below to complete the online request form. References are from the New Revised Standard Version unless otherwise indicated.
Request a Bible verse interpretation.
4. Check back often to see if your request has posted and to read what others have requested.
To Request Scripture Interpretation:
1. Review the previous interpretations below for previous interpretations.
2. Please provide a specific chapter and verse(s). If chosen for interpretation, our Bible expert, Rev. Ed Townley, will provide his insight and the response will post on this site. Requests for entire books of the Bible are not possible.
3. Click the link below to complete the online request form. References are from the New Revised Standard Version unless otherwise indicated.
Request a Bible verse interpretation.
4. Check back often to see if your request has posted and to read what others have requested.
Oct
14
08:00 AM
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Posted By Rev. Ed Townley
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About the Blogger
Rev. Ed Townley was licensed and ordained as a Unity minister in 1991. He has served as senior minister in Beaverton OR , Chicago IL and Dallas TX. Author of The Secret According to Jesus, a metaphysical exploration of the Sermon on the Mount.
Rev. Ed is known as one of the top Bible teachers in the Unity movement.
In 1992 he founded Spirit Expressing, a non church ministry dedicated to the creative process. The Spirit Expressing ministry sponsors Higher Ground, a weekly Dallas group that explores spiritual principles through the challenges and adventures of life. Weekly talks and other materials are at www.spiritexpressing.org.
Rev. Ed is known as one of the top Bible teachers in the Unity movement.
In 1992 he founded Spirit Expressing, a non church ministry dedicated to the creative process. The Spirit Expressing ministry sponsors Higher Ground, a weekly Dallas group that explores spiritual principles through the challenges and adventures of life. Weekly talks and other materials are at www.spiritexpressing.org.
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