BORROW?

What does Jesus say about making a loan to a fellow disciple?
He said, “Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.” (Mt 5:42) In Luke’s gospel, we have this: “If you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full … lend without expecting to get anything back. … be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” (Luke 6:32-35) Is Jesus teaching against loaning when another Christian asks to borrow from you? Is He advising (or commanding) His disciples to give to a brother who has need, and not to expect anything back from him?
The old covenant speaks of the Israelites asking the Egyptians for money, garments, etc. This was not called borrowing (Ex3:22; 11:2; 22:14). There was no intention of repayment. It was part of God’s will and plan for punishing the Egyptians and caring for His chosen people on their journey to Canaan.
Proverbs22:7says“the borrower is servant to the lender.” Shakespeare was not a biblical writer, but his wisdom is evident in Hamlet: “Neither a borrower nor a lender be; for loan oft loses both itself and friend.” Ben Franklin said: “Creditors have better memories than debtors.” Amen.

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