Supporting Scripture for The Gemach Project
“Nehemiah 5:9-10 NLT”
What you are doing is not right. Should you not walk in the fear of our God in order to avoid being mocked by enemy nations? I myself, as well as my brothers and my workers, have been lending the people money and grain, but now let us stop this business of charging interest.”
Luke 6:35 NCV
“But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without hoping to get anything back. Then you will have a great reward.”
Exodus 22:25 NCV
“If you lend money to one of my people who is poor, do not treat him as a money lender would. Charge him nothing for using your money.”
Proverbs 7:17 The Living Bible
“When you help the poor you are lending to the Lord and he pays wonderful interest on your loan.”
Leviticus 25: 35-37 The Living Bible
“If your brother becomes poor, you are responsible to help him; invite him to live with you as a guest in your home. Fear your God and let your brother live with you, and don’t charge him interest on the money you lend him. Remember – no interest and give him what he needs at your cost; don’t try to make a profit.”
Psalm 15:5 NCV
“They do not charge interest on money they lend and do not take money to hurt innocent people. Whoever does all these things will never be destroyed.”
On releasing the money after seven years and seven loan cycles:
Deuteronomy 15:1 NCV
“At the end of every seven years, you must tell those who owe you anything that they do not have to pay you back.”
Donations To The Gemach Project
How It Works
The Gemach Project works with indigenous pastors in third-world countries. Once they have identified the poorest in their respective areas and have provided them with basic business training, The Gemach Project then seeks funding to supply their needs. Once funding is raised the local pastors then make and oversee the loans. We require that they do not charge any interest or fees for these loans. Most loans are paid back within one year. Once they are paid in full we ask them to then identify a new group in need and re-lend the money to them. This cycle continues for seven years and seven loan cycles. Once the seven years is completed and the loans are repaid we then, in accordance with the teaching in Leviticus, release the pastors from any obligation to The Gemach Project. They then can use the money to supply needs in their areas. For instance, they can keep on lending the money, build a school, buy Bibles for their congregations, etc. Whatever they view as their greatest need they can then address.
The Gemach Project is founded on Biblical principles and that is why we do not charge interest on our loans and also why we release the funds at the end of seven years.
No one at Gemach receives a salary, 100% of the loans go to projects. Occasionally we allow a 5% administration fee for the in-country person administrating the loans on behalf of The Gemach Project.