Mike Jordan Laskey writes:

The Book of Leviticus, the third book of the Torah in Hebrew Scriptures (and part of Christians’ Old Testament), is full of laws and regulations that governed ancient Israel. In Chapter 25 of the book, the regulation of jubilee is introduced: Every 50 years, the people are instructed to release certain indentured servants, forgive certain debts and to return to their own family’s homeland. The word “Jubilee” itself comes from a Hebrew word that means “ram’s horn,” which was used as an instrument: a blast from the horn would mark the beginning of this special year….

But I can try to look at my own money and possessions with a jubilee mindset. What is my relationship like with my money and material things? Do I give to others generously? Do I hold too tightly onto grudges? Do I really see everything I have and everyone I know as a gift?

On a societal level, advocating for policy changes like a more affordable healthcare system that doesn’t crush those experiencing economic hardship with debt, international debt relief for the poorest countries, and student loan forgiveness for low-income individuals might be ways we can build jubilee into our systems and structures. I can imagine some objections: “But you have to pay back what you owe! It’s the right thing to do!” Yes, certainly. That’s our own human logic.

But God’s logic — the logic of jubilee — flips that vision on its head.