The Righteous Man Rejects the Fruit of Oppression

"He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent" (Psalm 15:5). The companion of Yahweh rejects the fruits of oppression. He will have no money that bears the marks of blood. Nothing unclean will he take into the building of his estate. In earning his bread he will never use a sting; in labouring he will never bite.

Usury—defined as neshek (biting)—is the contrary to charity; for "love seeketh not her own," but usury seeks another's that is not her own. Thus usury is far from God, who is love. The righteous man will accept no bribe, nor give any, for "better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right."

The unlawfulness of usury stands against four laws: the law of charity, the law of nations (all civilized peoples forbid it), the law of nature (which demands compassion), and the law of Elohim himself (Exodus 22:25; Leviticus 25:37; Deuteronomy 23:19). The usurer loves the borrower as ivy loves the oak—to grow rich by it, draining all juice and sap until the borrower grows poor as others grow rich.

Christ commands us to lend freely. Adonai bade Adam labour by the sweat of his own brow, not another's. David declares, "A good man is merciful and lendeth," and adds, "he shall never be moved."