"Give to him who asks..."

Matthew 5:42 finishes a series of three admonitions of our Lord regarding trials and tribulations with these words: "Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away."

Why is this particular command from our Lord here? It does not seem to be directly related to demonstrating a good attitude under trial. But is it not difficult, and therefore a test or trial, to have a godly attitude in parting with what we hold dear? Especially when we are dealing with people that may be difficult to deal with, for a variety of reasons, including family and brothers and sisters in Christ. The parallel in Luke 6:30 follows the pattern of the previous statements and illustrations: "Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back." Does this seem foolish? Many think that what Jesus requires here is foolish, for many reasons. Are we to give to everyone? Are we to allow our property to be stolen, without objecting? Perhaps Luke 6:34-35 clarifies what Jesus intends for us to do: “And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Highest. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil.” The Lord’s illustration in this verse in Matthew deals with borrowing and lending, not with allowing thieves to rob us. As in the other illustrations, the primary point made is that loss or financial harm is preferable, rather than to retaliate or worsen the situation. When we give to someone in need (even in the guise of a loan), we should not expect to be repaid for our generosity, and we should certainly not take steps to force reimbursement. Benevolence should be done without expecting any gain. But God knows what we do, and He will provide and show us His favor: "He who has pity on the poor lends to the LORD, and He will pay back what he has given." Proverbs 19:17. If a person asks for a loan of money or goods, we should address his request assuming that he makes it in good faith, if there are no reasons to doubt his sincerity. But we must keep in mind basic principles from God's Word. What principles? We are to be good stewards of what God has given us. We are to take care of our own (starting with our families and then with our brothers and sisters in our own congregation). We are not to encourage laziness or sustain the idle. We are certainly not to aid vices (alcohol, drugs, or other addictions). And we cannot aid shady or dubious get-rich-quick schemes. These all make sense, and require a good deal of discernment on our part, especially since people can and do change, and not always for the good. Jesus' suggestion is that, if we do lend to others, we should consider that money to be gone forever. The struggle to regain it is likely not worth the effort, and is likely to damage relationships, and will do no good to one's character. So it is something to be avoided, and the best way is to make sure that we loan and give with careful discernment regarding the person and the situation. God does NOT want us to make a bad situation worse! In summary, what does Jesus’ illustration in Matthew 5:42 require of us? It asks of us, not only that we should lend without suspicion and with no eye to profit, but that we also should have a generous spirit of outgoing concern for a brother or sister in need. And it is not, as some claim, a command to let ourselves be conned, robbed, or stolen from with impunity.