Giving Guidelines
Mt 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, (1Tim. 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, 2 Thess. 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 Matt. 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 Savior 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.
Mt 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 can not,
of course, be here included. Good actions are marred if they
bear evil fruit.
- Barnes Notes
