The Sermon on the Mount
Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. Matthew 5:42 · Berean Standard Bible
Give to anyone who asks you, and don't turn away someone who wants to borrow from you. Generosity should be your default, not calculation.
It's natural to protect what you have. Jesus asks you to hold everything loosely and share freely, trusting that God will take care of you.
Jesus teaches about open-handed generosity.
God gives freely to us. Jesus says His followers should do the same.
This command addresses generosity toward those who ask (aitounti, present tense: whoever asks) and borrowers (daneisasthai, those wanting a loan). The principle is open-handed generosity without calculating return.
Old Testament law required lending to the poor without interest (Exodus 22:25) and canceling debts in the Sabbath year (Deuteronomy 15:1-11). Jesus extends this generosity even further.
Jesus, teaching about radical generosity.
The kingdom ethic replaces self-protection with radical, trusting generosity that reflects God's own generous character.
40if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well;
41and if someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.
42Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
43You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor’ and ‘Hate your enemy.’
44But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
Read all of Matthew 5 — Jesus turns the world's values upside down. The blessed aren't the powerful — they're the poor in spirit, the grieving, the meek.
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