Luke
6:35-36 (ESV) But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing
in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most
High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. 36 Be
merciful, even as your Father is merciful.
NOTE: I think the
hardest command is the idea of lending. In my carnal mind, there seems to be
limits. Certainly, my tools, my toys, my
stuff, for the most part, should be considered in lending to an "enemy."
And by "enemy," I think the thought is not someone who truly despises
me or is trying to kill me (as in a war), but something is little less sever.
Giving money, that is where I struggle. Some amount of money, 10, 20, even 100
dollars seems possible. And I suppose it would depend upon the situation. If
the person is in dire need, then yes, I can give and probably even more. But if
the need is not there, then the principles should be the same as giving to a
friend or to family. There are reasons people are broke and giving or lending
them money could be working against God. The Lord uses financial difficulties
to cause people to see the futility of life under the sun (as Solomon calls
it). It may be appropriate to lend to an enemy during these times but the
circumstances have to be right. The idea of lending is to show that I care
(hopefully I do), not to make life comfortable. God uses uncomfortable-ness to
open our eyes to futility. Lord, help me to understand your truth and to act in
your will.
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