Spiritual Lenders

"And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil." (Luke 6: 35 KJV)

"Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you." (Matthew 5: 42 KJV)

A man who is, like David, "after God's own heart" (I Samuel 13: 15), will be a man who is generous in giving and lending. He is not "stingy" or "selfish," but is one who is willing to share. He would be imitating Lord God himself, who is declared to be "ever merciful, and lendeth." (Psalm 37: 26 KJV)

No one can give more than God or be a better "lender" than he. This is a repeated declaration in scripture. Lord God is "ever merciful" and he is a gracious lender. To give and to lend are indeed acts of "mercy" and compassion. A man who refuses to give or to lend is a man who lacks the virtuous qualities of mercy and compassion, being a man who cares only for himself.

"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." (James 1: 5 KJV)

God is generous! He gives to men liberally! He is not stingy nor does he begrudge in giving and lending. He delights in showing mercy in this way. Men are to imitate Lord God in this and be themselves liberal and generous souls. It is particularly in this area that Jesus said that men act the part of "children" of Lord God. God and his family are known for their generosity of spirit.

They give freely, with no thought of being repayed. They give and lend, yet not upon usury or interest, as do banks. They lend "hoping for nothing again." This kind of giving and lending is highly pleasing to the Lord.

"Be careful not to harbor this wicked thought: "The seventh year, the year for canceling debts, is near," so that you do not show ill will toward your needy brother and give him nothing. He may then appeal to the LORD against you, and you will be found guilty of sin. Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land." (Deuteronomy 15: 9-11 NIV)

To be generous and liberal in lending is to be "openhanded" with others. It is to be willing to share our surpluses with the poor and needy. The Lord here promises to bless the liberal and charitable soul. Jesus taught this same truth when he said:

"Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again." (Luke 6: 38 KJV)

Also, it seems clear that the apostle had the words Moses in Deuteronomy in mind when he wrote these words:

"Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly (begrudgingly) or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." (II Corinthians 9: 7 NIV)

"If it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully." (Romans 12: 8 NIV)

This latter verse views "generous giving" as a life "calling" or "profession" for some Christians, especially those who are rich in this world. These Christians have been called to spiritual philanthropy, and their work is called a "ministry" and a "gift" from the Lord.

"Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share." (I Timothy 6: 18 NIV)

Command who in particular? Wealthy Christians! God is calling them to be active in spiritual lending and philanthropy towards the poor and needy. He commands them to be "generous and willing to share."

"The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously..." (Psalm 37: 21 NIV)

"A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion." (Psalm 112: 5 KJV)

This is how the godly are recognized and separated from the hypocrite. The truly godly are known by their works. They give liberally to those who are in need. They are "generous" people!

"The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself." (Proverbs 11: 25 KJV)

Great promises are made to the truly liberal and generous soul! God delights in such people. They resemble and reflect the heart and character of God. God promises that he will bless such people, giving them more so that they can, in turn, give more themselves.

"He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again." (Proverbs 19: 17 KJV)

So, the promise is repeated. Give to others and God will give to you! It takes faith to believe this word, however, and "all men have not faith." (II Thessalonians 3: 2)

"If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone." (James 2: 15-17 KJV)

"Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth." (I John 3: 16-18 KJV)

Friend, are you generous at heart in your dealings with others? Do you give to those in need? Do you lend with a cheerful heart?