1. Matthew 5:42 (ESV)
  2. Exposition

What kind of giving and borrowing does Jesus have in view?

Matthew 5:42 (ESV)

42 Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.

Jesus is not encouraging thoughtless and guilt-driven giving. Neither is he obliging Christians to give to any and all who ask (Proverbs 11:15; Proverbs 17:18; Proverbs 22:26). Christians are to be responsible in their use of money, also the money that they give to support and help fellow believers (1 Timothy 5:3–16; 2 Thessalonians 3:6–10). As with Jesus’ other examples in his sermon, he makes use of rhetorical overstatement to emphasize a point. In this case, he is encouraging kingdom citizens to be generous with their money (Deuteronomy 15:7–11; Leviticus 25:35–55), 1 to look for opportunities to help those that seek their help, rather than helping only when there is a reward or the chance for profit (Exodus 22:25; Leviticus 25:36–37). 2