1. The ending of debts every seven years.

2. The Lord will bless you.

Genesis = 21 times
Psalms = 43 times
Deuteronomy = 21 times
Blessed = 15 times

3. Don’t harden your heart against your poor brother.

"…the harsh reality is that human sin breeds poverty on the one hand and callous indifference to it on the other…material blessing, like any other kind in the framework of covenant, depends on the unqualified obedience to the command.”

- Cornerstone Biblical Commentary, Comfort, 567-568

Average Consumer Debt
Mortgage = $220,380
Student Loan Debt = $39,487
Personal Loans = $17,064

Average Savings Account Balance = $4,500 (experian.com)
Average Credit Card Debt in SD = $4,951 (https://www.capitalone.com/learn-grow/money-management/average-credit-card-debt-in-america/)

4. Open wide your hand.

“If the hand is shut it is a sign that the heart is hardened.”

- Matthew Henry in The Preacher’s Commentary, Maxwell, 195

Sermon Discussion Questions
1. When was a time you borrowed something that turned out negative? Turned out positive? What did you learn from either?

2. Have you applied the Sabbatical to any part of your life?

3. Share a blessing that you have received by helping someone that was "poor" around you.

4. Why is it so easy to "harden our hearts" to others? Are there other Biblical passages about the hardening of hearts?

5. What statistic surprised you?

6. Would people consider you to have an open hand or closed hand?

7. This message is more about financial giving. However, how can we be thankful spiritually for all that Jesus has done for us?