Giving and Borrowing
Wow, looks like a while since anyone has posted on here! I have a question to offer for consideration. How do we interpret and apply Jesus' teaching about giving to beggars and those who would borrow from us in Matthew 5:42?
- josh
42 Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.How do we apply this scripture to our lives faithfully? I have heard many people speak of being good stewards of money and teaching others to fish, etc., but very little exhortation to actually give. I am not suggesting that these types of points are not valid, but this point is the one made by Jesus; should we be more concerned about it? What do you think?
- josh
posted by Josh | 11:05 PM
3 Comments:
Reading the context of Matt 5:42, the passage is included with some instructions from our Lord on how to treat people who try to slap, sue, and/or force you.
Then He says, if someone asks you, and it seems a little our of place, but as I start to look at my own life, I have seen my response to beggars be very similar to people who cut me off while drive. (I won't get into too much detail, but you get the point)
Cross referencing the passage, I came across Duet. 15:7-11. This whole chapter is talking about the Sabbatic year in which remission of debts will be granted. And the text implies that we are not to harden our hearts towards someone who begs. I know for me, I have been guilty of preconceived notions that a beggar is really looking for something other than food. Also, in verse 11, is the verse telling us, the poor will never cease to be with you.
Now with that all in mind, I guess how we apply this passage to our lives faithfully is to, first realize that scripture teaches.
1. Even with the poor or our enemies, we are not to avenge ourselves by responding like the world does. (Matt 5:38-48)
2. The poor will always be with us, till Christ returns. (Duet. 15:11,)
3
. We as disciples in the world are called out to be different (salt & light, Matt 5).
Practically speaking it would be good for us to be ready to give (whatever we have, food, money, time, etc...) when asked, and be ready to lend (food, money, time, etc...) when a brother needs to borrow, without making an assumption as to what a person's real motive may be.
Good point from both of you. I believe passages like this call us to look at our worldview, what we are living for. Down deep do we really want to be rich? Do we really think that the answer is money and things? Jesus always confronted people with questions and statements that probed the inner parts of the heart that only He could see. Great blog, great question, a timely reminder to check our own dark places in the heart.
It is also nice to see the blog up and running again, thanks Josh!
When I see the homeless people around me, I, once again, give Praise and Glory to God for my home and family. Why did He choose me to be where I'm at and not on the street? We complain about not having this or not having that and all we have to do is look into the eyes of the beggar and realize how much we do have.
When a beggar asks for money, if I have any on me (the world of the debit card and all), I usually give it to them. Is it up to me to decide what he/she is going to do with the money? If at all possible, take that person to buy them a coffee or some food. I just remember the verse in Hebrews 13:2: "Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels."
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