Borrowing
Matthew 5:42 Give to
him that asketh thee. This is the general rule. It is
better to give sometimes to an undeserving person, than to
turn away one really necessitous. It is good to be in the
habit of giving. At the same time, the rule must be
interpreted so as to be consistent with our duty to our
families, (#1Ti 5:8) and with other objects of justice and
charity. It is seldom, perhaps never, good to give to a man
that is able to work, #2Th 3:10. To give to such is to
encourage laziness, and to support the idle at the expense
of the industrious. If such a man is indeed hungry, feed
him; if he wants anything farther, give him employment. If a
widow, an orphan, a man of misfortune, or a man infirm,
lame, or sick, is at your door, never send them away empty.
See #Heb 13:2 Mt 25:35-45. So of a poor and needy friend
that wishes to borrow. We are not to turn away, or deny him.
This deserves, however, some limitation. It must be done in
consistency with other duties. To lend to every worthless
man, would be to throw away our property, encourage laziness
and crime, and ruin our families. It should be done
consistently, and of this every man is to be the judge.
Perhaps our Saviour meant to teach that where there was a
deserving friend or brother in want, we should lend to him,
without usury, and without standing much about the security.
- Barnes Notes
Matthew 5:42
Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow
of thee turn not thou away. Jesus here turns from the
negative to the positive side of life. Our conduct, instead
of being selfish and revengeful, should be generous and
liberal. A benevolent disposition casts out revenge as light
does darkness. No lending was provided for by the law of
Moses except for benevolent purposes, for no interest was
allowed, and all debts were canceled every seventh year. The
giving and lending referred to, then, are limited to cases
of real want, and the amount given or loaned is to be
regulated accordingly. Giving or lending to the
encouragement of vice or indolence cannot, of course, be
here included. Good actions are marred if they bear evil
fruit.
- The Fourfold Gospel
