“Give to Everyone Who Asks”
Jesus said, “Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back” (Luke 6:30). The whole tone of the entire Sermon on the Mount makes it clear that sharing should become a habit to Christians. Jesus said, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). The Lord encourages His children to share saying, “A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed” (Proverbs 11:25).
But the instruction to share does not mean to grant the person asking everything he asks for, nor does it require one to share something every time he is asked. A Christian is not obliged to share indiscriminately, regardless of the need. The giver must take into consideration the truthfulness of the need that is presented to him and he should make sure that in giving he is not cultivating a spirit of dependency and laziness by those that ask.
The Bible clearly teaches that “The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat” (2 Thessalonians 3:10). Adam was told “in the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread” (Genesis 3:19). The Savior Himself, worked as “the carpenter,” thus, setting for us a worthy example to follow (Mark 6:3). Every person should work so that, in addition to supporting himself, he is able to help the needy (Ephesians 4:28).
The stress in Luke 6:30 is on the necessity of the Christian to have a generous heart that is ready to give. He will not withhold his resources when he has the capacity to assist others. He will be willing to cooperate with others rather than reject them. In doing so, he will be following Jesus’ example who left heaven to come suffer and die to save humanity (John 6:38; John 15:13).
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In His service,
BibleAsk Team
