Lending

Luke 635But 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 Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil.Where is says: lend, hoping for nothing in returnDoes this mean:1. When you lend someone something (e.g. money) you should not expect to get it back.2. When you lend someone something (e.g. money) you should not expect to receive and interest on it.3. Something else.

Hi Nasher,many times people ask to borrow money from my husband for whatever reason. They usually say that it is just temporary and they will pay him pack when they can. We pray about each decision, but I always remind my husband that if he chooses to lend the money- do it with a spirit of not expecting it in return.If we are willing to lend, we do it with an expectation of not getting it in return. We are giving out of our hearts and out of the goodness of God. (For He is kind to the unthankful and evil.)Just my 2 cents. :-) In Him, Chanin

Hi Chanin, what about if it's money you cannot afford not to get back? In that case should you not lend it?

Hmmmm, well we usually go by the verse that say "give to all that ask". But we usually pray about it and follow the Holy Spirit's leading. The only time we don't give it is if we feel it will harm them (use the money for drugs, etc...) The Lord always provides us with what we need even when we give and we are low on funds. He rewards our giving. It is more about being a servant to others and trusting God to see you through.I know it sounds so deep , but when we give and don't expect anything in return (even when we are low on money) I view it just the same as Jesus giving us His all- even His life for us. He gave without expecting in return, He gave to help and to save- even though He knew many would not appreciate it. I feel we are to follow His example in all areas of our lives. God has never let us down and I know He never will. :-) In Him, Chanin

Praise God for your asking this question Nasher, as it's given our Lord more room to minister to me about money/material possessions and wealth, in regards my provider/stewardship role ...We Christians often toss out that God's the same yesterday, today and tommorow, but i've just noticed that His rules on "lending" have not changed one iota under OT/Law and NT/Grace ... i'd really not thought of this before ...i learned a long time ago never to lend (personally) expecting return, and if the request is money, if i have it, i just give it, taking all the weight off the borrower because i find most folk who ask me for money are in a dire enough situation as is and don't really need the added stress of recompense, and of charging interest (personally) i just can't fathom that, that actually seems sleazy to me ... But i do think differently when it comes to contractural business, and business partners, because business is about profit (but that's just me) ... But in my personal lending, like Sis Chanin and husband, i base it from ...Pss.112[5] A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion.And so i will pray about it if it's a large sum, but when i hear the voice of the Lord say give it, i've learned to just do it without hesitation or question ...Below are all the scriptures regarding "lending" i could find, and each one is a study/lesson in itself ... But please also take note, that at the bottom of this post, there are also scriptural admonition/obligation to "borrowers" ... Our Lord always addresses both sides of a situation ...LENDERS OBLIGATIONS UNDER GOD;Exod.22 [25] If thou lend money to any of my people that is poor by thee, thou shalt not be to him as an usurer, neither shalt thou lay upon him usury.Lev.25[37] Thou shalt not give him thy money upon usury, nor lend him thy victuals for increase.Deut.15[2] And this is the manner of the release: Every creditor that lendeth ought unto his neighbour shall release it; he shall not exact it of his neighbour, or of his brother; because it is called the LORD's release.[6] For the LORD thy God blesseth thee, as he promised thee: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, but thou shalt not borrow; and thou shalt reign over many nations,but they shall not reign over thee.[8] But thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth.Deut.23[19] Thou shalt not lend upon usury to thy brother; usury of money, usury of victuals, usury of any thing that is lent upon usury:[20] Unto a stranger thou mayest lend upon usury; but unto thy brother thou shalt not lend upon usury: that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all that thou settest thine hand to in the land whither thou goest to possess it.Deut.24[10] When thou dost lend thy brother any thing, thou shalt not go into his house to fetch his pledge.[11] Thou shalt stand abroad, and the man to whom thou dost lend shall bring out the pledge abroad unto thee.Deut.28[12] The LORD shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow.[44] He shall lend to thee, and thou shalt not lend to him: he shall be the head, and thou shalt be the tail.Pss.37[26] He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.Prov.19[17] He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.Matt. 5:[40] And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.[41] And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.[42] Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.Luke.6[34] 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.[35] 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.11[5] And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves;BORROWERS OBLIGATIONS UNDER GOD;Prov.22[7] The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.Exod. 22:[14] And if a man borrow ought of his neighbour, and it be hurt, or die, the owner thereof being not with it, he shall surely make it good.Pss.37[21] The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth.