[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"\u002Farticles\u002Fwhat-is-your-interest-rate":3,"\u002Farticles\u002Fwhat-is-your-interest-rate-surround":67},{"id":4,"title":5,"author":6,"bibleBooks":8,"body":17,"columnName":49,"date":50,"description":23,"extension":51,"image":52,"meta":53,"minRead":54,"navigation":55,"path":56,"postType":57,"publication":58,"publicationUrl":52,"seo":59,"stem":60,"topics":61,"__hash__":66},"blog\u002Farticles\u002Fwhat-is-your-interest-rate.md","What Is Your Interest Rate?",{"name":7},"Dave Faust",[9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16],"Leviticus","Deuteronomy","Nehemiah","Psalms","Matthew","Luke","2 Corinthians","Philippians",{"type":18,"value":19,"toc":45},"minimark",[20,24,27,30,33,36,39,42],[21,22,23],"p",{},"It’s one of the most important questions for every investor, home buyer, or borrower: What is the interest rate? Over time, a one or two percent difference in the interest rate can mean thousands of dollars earned or saved.",[21,25,26],{},"In biblical times, “usury” was rebuked as a sin because as the name implies, it meant lenders “used” and abused those who borrowed money from them. The Lord instructed the Israelites not to take advantage of their countrymen through unethical lending practices or exorbitant interest rates (Leviticus 25:25-27; Deuteronomy 23:19-20; Nehemiah 5:9-11). At the same time, it was considered wise to earn a fair and reasonable return for one’s investment. In Jesus’ parable of the talents, the servant who buried his talent in the ground was rebuked because he should have put his master’s money on deposit with the bankers and earned interest with it (Matthew 25:27).",[21,28,29],{},"Other kinds of interest can’t be measured in percentage points or dollars and cents. The priorities that gravitate to the top of our schedules and our personal finances determine not only the direction of the economy but of life itself. What do we really care about?",[21,31,32],{},"We should take an interest in the Lord’s work. In America we’re passionate about sports, music, food, careers, finances, and politics; but do we really care about advancing the gospel? Do we think about it every day? Do we invest our time and resources in the pearl of greatest price? The apostle Paul faced daily the pressure of his “concern for all the churches” (2 Corinthians 11:28) because he truly cared. The Lord and his work were Paul’s driving passion.",[21,34,35],{},"We should take an interest in other people. Do we really listen and empathize when others talk? Do we pay careful attention when they confide in us about their problems? To lead others closer to Christ, we first need to invest in their lives through loving service. In a self-centered world, it stands out when someone truly shows an interest in others. (Note: Apple’s popular product is called an “iPhone,” not an “othersPhone.”) Genuine selflessness is such a rare trait that Paul said of Timothy, “I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare. For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 2:20-21).",[21,37,38],{},"We should take an interest in stewardship. Money management can be just as much a spiritual activity as going to church. Jesus asked, “If you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?” (Luke 16:11). He said, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21).",[21,40,41],{},"We should take an interest in the next generation. We miss rich opportunities for fellowship when older and younger Christians stay to themselves and interact only with others from their own age group. Older saints benefit from the vigor, creativity, and idealism of the young. Younger believers need seasoned role models to follow. It’s up to every one of us to “tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord” (Psalm 78:4).",[21,43,44],{},"Charles Lamb wrote, “Not many sounds in life, and I include all urban and all rural sounds, exceed in interest a knock at the door.” Are we interested in the things that really matter most—the things God considers important? The Lord is knocking. Are we listening?",{"title":46,"searchDepth":47,"depth":47,"links":48},"",2,[],"Another Look","2010-10-24","md",null,{},3,true,"\u002Farticles\u002Fwhat-is-your-interest-rate","column","The Lookout",{"title":5,"description":23},"articles\u002Fwhat-is-your-interest-rate",[62,63,64,65],"Biblical Theology","Intergenerational Ministry","Church Leadership","Spiritual Formation","Te4laOmZOWKFHS2jvn7Ipb89XQQaFUBUFBrINDdtUAA",[68,73],{"title":69,"path":70,"stem":71,"description":72,"children":-1},"What Is Worse Than Being a Hypocrite?","\u002Farticles\u002Fwhat-is-worse-than-being-a-hypocrite","articles\u002Fwhat-is-worse-than-being-a-hypocrite","Hypocrisy isn’t the only sin, but it’s a particularly destructive kind of evil. Truth is the Christian’s currency; counterfeit faith degrades its value.",{"title":74,"path":75,"stem":76,"description":77,"children":-1},"What Jesus Said (and Didn’t Say) About Hope","\u002Farticles\u002Fwhat-jesus-said-and-didn-t-say-about-hope","articles\u002Fwhat-jesus-said-and-didn-t-say-about-hope","In the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan, there’s a sign containing a quote from a Tennessee farmer in about 1940: “The greatest thing in the world is to have the love of God in your heart. The next greatest thing to have is electricity in your house.”"]