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- Oct 26, 2007
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And if you lend money only to those who can repay you, why should you get credit? Even sinners will lend to other sinners for a full return. Luke 6:34
Lending to relatives is generally considered a bad idea because hard feelings can develop when the loan isn’t repaid. We’re conditioned to believe good deeds must be repaid.
Jesus didn’t seem to live by the phrase, “You scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours.” While cooperation was important, His life, words, and deeds suggest a different phrase: “I’ll scratch your back because it’s itchy and I can reach it.” To expect a return on your time investment suggests you believe in the wages of deeds instead of the gift of time, talent, and finances.
Certainly you’re entitled to lend money and expect repayment, but the bank doesn’t consider that same service a good deed. It’s simply a loan. If you help a friend, expecting they’ll help you in return, that’s less a kindness than an agreement for mutually beneficial services.
In most cases, truly good deeds go unheralded and are rarely repaid. The idea of doing good without return means you’ll do something for someone for a better reason. This concept is critical to understanding that Jesus paid the ultimate sacrifice to offer salvation. You can’t pay for it, earn it, or return the favor. You simply have to accept the greatest intentional act of kindness humankind has ever known.
Lending to relatives is generally considered a bad idea because hard feelings can develop when the loan isn’t repaid. We’re conditioned to believe good deeds must be repaid.
Jesus didn’t seem to live by the phrase, “You scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours.” While cooperation was important, His life, words, and deeds suggest a different phrase: “I’ll scratch your back because it’s itchy and I can reach it.” To expect a return on your time investment suggests you believe in the wages of deeds instead of the gift of time, talent, and finances.
Certainly you’re entitled to lend money and expect repayment, but the bank doesn’t consider that same service a good deed. It’s simply a loan. If you help a friend, expecting they’ll help you in return, that’s less a kindness than an agreement for mutually beneficial services.
In most cases, truly good deeds go unheralded and are rarely repaid. The idea of doing good without return means you’ll do something for someone for a better reason. This concept is critical to understanding that Jesus paid the ultimate sacrifice to offer salvation. You can’t pay for it, earn it, or return the favor. You simply have to accept the greatest intentional act of kindness humankind has ever known.
