The answer is: Millstones

Deut 24:6 - This would take away their livelihood.

In Deuteronomy 24:6, the mention of millstones offers a glimpse into ancient Israelite life, where these simple tools played a crucial role in everyday survival. A millstone was used to grind grain into flour, making it invaluable for food production. Imagine a day in a bustling village where everyone depended on fresh bread and meals featuring finely-ground grains – your millstone was hardly just a tool; it was a lifeline!

The prohibition against taking millstones as collateral reflects a deep ethical consideration in the community. It ensured that despite financial struggles, families could sustain themselves through basic food preparation. This is an echo of the broader biblical theme of caring for the underprivileged and safeguarding the means of livelihood – much like the exhortation in Proverbs about the importance of protecting vulnerable members of society.

Fun fact – the term "millstone" appears multiple times in biblical literature, symbolizing a weight of responsibility; Jesus even uses it to discuss moral accountability, saying it would be better for someone to face a heavy millstone than lead others astray (Matthew 18:6). So, the implications of this little loan detail stretches far beyond finances, linking economics to ethics in the biblical wisdom tradition. Now that’s food for thought!