By Mark W. Christy
In Matthew 5:42, Jesus says, “Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.”[i] From this, many rightly question whether or not the Christian has any recourse for dealing with beggars, the addicted, homeless people, and other such persons. This article will attempt to offer wisdom on when a Christian can say no.
In the time of Christ, the nature of communities was such that everyone except an occasional wayfarer would have been known in a far more intimate manner verses the modern world of today. In that context, people would have had a personal connection to the individual making the request, a good understanding of the validity of their reasons, and how their response might help or even harm the person. With all of this in view, it would seem that some sort of personal connection along with a genuine understanding of the need is required before one should feel obligated to follow Christ’s directive in Matthew 5:42.
In Thessalonians 3:10-12, Paul gives instruction that those who refuse to work despite being able to do so should not be allowed to eat. In the context, one becomes aware that Paul understands the situation personally to the extent he is aware that feeding these lazy individuals will support an undisciplined lifestyle. His apparent absence of the giving attitude towards those who were lazy seems to arise from Christ’s command in Matthew 5:42 being harmonized with His teaching on loving one’s neighbor: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 19:19). Paul in 1 Corinthians 10:23-24 associates love for one’s neighbor with concerns about his welfare, including his spiritual welfare: “All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify. Let no one seek his own good, but that of his neighbor.”
Given Paul’s instruction to Christian to practice neighborly love that expresses concern for the whole welfare of the neighbor, believers must be in a situation where they have enough means to ascertain a person’s actual needs. Furthermore, following Paul, they would have to make sure any act of charity was indeed a blessing and not a means to help their neighbor continue to engage in any activities that would be sinful or cause their neighbor or others harm. Based on Paul’s example and guidance, believers should wisely consider any requests for donations from any person with whom they have no relationship and no means to ensure that their help will not ultimately harm the recipient of their charity. Since significant personal relationships are in short supply with the contemporary breakdown in communal living, perhaps believers should encourage those needing charity to establish a personal connection with a church or some other sort of charitable institution where personal accountability can be maintained.
[i]All Scripture references are taken from NASB1995.