35 "If one of your brothers becomes indigent and cannot support himself, help him, the same as you would a foreigner or a guest so that he can continue to live in your neighborhood. 36 Don't gouge him with interest charges; out of reverence for your God help your brother to continue to live with you in the neighborhood. 37 Don't take advantage of his plight by running up big interest charges on his loans, and don't give him food for profit. 38 I am your God who brought you out of Egypt to give you the land of Canaan and to be your God.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Leviticus 25:35-38
Commentary on Leviticus 25:35-38
(Read Leviticus 25:35-38)
Poverty and decay are great grievances, and very common; the poor ye have always with you. Thou shalt relieve him; by sympathy, pitying the poor; by service, doing for them; and by supply, giving to them according to their necessity, and thine ability. Poor debtors must not be oppressed. Observe the arguments here used against extortion: "Fear thy God." Relieve the poor, "that they may live with thee;" for they may be serviceable to thee. The rich can as ill spare the poor, as the poor can the rich. It becomes those that have received mercy to show mercy.