The predominate teaching in Christianity appears to be that one’s attitude in giving is totally wrong if it is done expecting anything in return. I found numerous articles, blog posts, and even You Tube videos that stated that you should give without ever expecting anything in return. And, it is stated, it shows an entirely wrong attitude in giving. But, what does God’s Word, the Bible have to say?
Perhaps we need to start with the one Bible verse that was quoted over and over again by those that were holding to the belief that expecting anything back was wrong. And, that verse is Luke 6:35. It states in the King James Version of the Bible that most are familiar with, “But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for He is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.” The emphasis is placed on the phrase “hoping for nothing again.” Let us examine what Jesus is telling us in this verse.
Notice, the verse starts out with the word “but.” This is the Greek word plen, Strong’s number G4133. It is an adverb and is used as a conjunction, i.e. a conjunctive adverb. Conjunctions have one job and that is to connect. They join words, phrases or clauses together to clarify what the writer or speaker is saying. The word plen translated “but” here is also translated as “nevertheless” and “notwithstanding” about a dozen times. Thayer’s Greek lexicon defines plen as “moreover, beside, but, nevertheless, besides, except.” What I want us to understand is that we can’t begin with verse 35 but must back up and see what the context is all about, what is Jesus speaking about.
If we go by the paragraph breaks our translators have placed in this passage we need to begin with verse 27. This verse also begins with “but.” Although this is a different Greek word, alla, it too is a conjunction, thus indicating we need to back up a bit more. Perhaps beginning at the paragraph break at verse 20 will be adequate.
We find here that Jesus lifts up His eyes on His disciples and began to speak, giving what we have come to know as the “Beatitudes.” He begins with blessings, ye poor, ye that hunger (verse 21), and ye that weep. Verse 22, blessed are ye when men shall hate you. In verse 24 He speaks a Woe unto those that are rich, and says that they have received their consolation or comfort. Another Woe in verse 25, unto those that are full and to those that laugh. Verse 26, Woe when men speak well of you.
Now, we come to the next paragraph break. He uses the conjunction “but” to join these verses with what He wishes to convey. Notice, “But I say unto you which hear, (that was everyone there at the time and is now for us) Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,” The verse break was put in here by men so we need to keep reading to “hear” fully what Jesus was saying. He continues, “Bless them that curse you and pray for them which despitefully use you.” Enemies, those which hate us, those that curse us and despitefully use us are the same people. Jesus says here that we should be praying for them. He continues in verse 29, that if one hits us on the cheek we are to offer the other cheek and if they take our clothing or robe (cloak) we should insist that they take our shirt (coat) as well. Jesus then states in verse 30 that we are to give to every man that asks of us and to the one that would take away our possessions we aren’t even to ask for them back. Verse 31 is what we have called the golden rule, “as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.” In verse 33 we are told that if we do good to those who do good to us that there is no thanks in that, that even sinners do the same.
We are getting closer to the verse in question. Jesus states in verse 34, “And if ye lend (notice He says lend, not give) to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? For sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.”
Now, let us look at verse 35. He starts this phrase, clause or sentence with a conjunction. “But” or it could be rendered “nevertheless” or “notwithstanding” “love your enemies,...” These are the same individuals He mentioned earlier, those that hate us, those that curse us, those that despitefully use us. These are the ones that slap us on the one cheek and to whom we offer the other cheek. He is still talking about those that take our clothing. These are the ones He tells us to give to when they ask, not even asking for it back.
Now He tells us to love them AND what else? “And do good.” And what else? “And lend.” And what else? “Hoping for nothing again.” This verse is not speaking about giving but about lending. Then He states that we should be “hoping for nothing again.” What does He mean?
There seems to be a bit of disagreement even among Biblical scholars. The Greek word, not words, is apelpizo, Strong’s number G560. This is the only place it is used in the entire Bible. Most agree on the definition. Thayer’s Lexicon gives these, “1.) Nothing despairing 2.) Despairing of no one 3.) Causing no one despair”
Some feel that this means that when you lend money to your enemy that you don’t despair if you are never paid back. But a number of sources point out that the Aramaic is literally “Do not cut off the hope of man.” Gill’s commentary gives the rendering in several versions. The Persic version renders it, “that ye may not cause any to despair.” The Syriac version has it, “that ye may not cut off,” or “cause to cease the hope of men.” The Arabic version has, “that ye do not deceive the hope of any” that is, by sending such away, without lending to them, who come big with expectations of succeeding.
Jesus may be saying that when our enemy comes seeking to borrow from us that we are to loan to him, even if we may believe that he will take advantage of us and never repay the loan. Don’t despair, don’t fret about it. Or, He may be saying that the individual knows that he is our enemy and he probably doesn’t really expect a loan from us. He is most likely pretty much between a rock and a hard place to come to us in the first place. Jesus may be saying, don’t dash his hopes. Set the example of Godly love to him. Give him the biggest encouragement he could have. He most likely believes it is a wasted effort to ask us in the first place and when we lend to him it may be what is needed for him to begin to see God and His goodness.
These two verses are not the only places we find that Jesus told us about loving our enemies. Matthew recorded His words from the Sermon on the Mount, which may or may not be from the same time and place as what Luke records. There is debate on that among some scholars, however, it does seem likely that it is different recordings of the same event. Anyway, His words have been recorded for us in Matthew 5:43-44. Verse 44 it is recorded, “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;” The Apostle Paul gives us clear teaching and understanding on loving our enemies.
One of the most powerful statement as to the Father’s love for His enemies is found in Romans 5:10, “For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.” Thankfully, God loved His enemies, He loved us who were His enemies, and provided a way for us to be reconciled.
We’ll look at one more passage written by Paul, Romans 12:20, “Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.” This is a quotation from Proverbs 25:21-22. I believe trying to understand what is meant by “heaping” coals of fire upon the head makes it clearer. Although, once again, the scholars don’t even all agree, I believe Adam Clarke in his commentary comes close. The following is taken directly from His commentary on Rom. 12:20.
“If thine enemy hunger, feed him - Do not withhold from any man the offices of mercy and kindness; you have been God’s enemy, and yet God fed, clothed, and preserved you alive: do to your enemy as God has done to you. If your enemy be hungry, feed him; if he be thirsty, give him drink: so has God dealt with you. And has not a sense of his goodness and long-suffering towards you been a means of melting down your heart into penitential compunction, gratitude, and love towards him? How know you that a similar conduct towards your enemy may not have the same gracious influence on him towards you? Your kindness may be the means of begetting in him a sense of his guilt; and, from being your fell enemy, he may become your real friend! This I believe to be the sense of this passage, which many have encumbered with difficulties of their own creating. The whole is a quotation from Pro_25:21, Pro_25:22, in the precise words of the Septuagint; and it is very likely that the latter clause of this verse, Thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, is a metaphor taken from smelting metals. The ore is put into the furnace, and fire put both under and over, that the metal may be liquefied, and, leaving the scoriae and dross, may fall down pure to the bottom of the furnace”
Whichever way we may understand Jesus’ words about “hoping for nothing again” let us move on and notice the next thing that Jesus tells us. “And your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for He is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.” He says we will be rewarded greatly. He also says that we are the Children of God, we are exemplifying Him in our kindness to the unthankful and evil ones, our enemies. We treat them and see them as God sees them and treats them.
Since He says that we will be greatly rewarded are we never to look for or expect that reward? He tells us that we “shall be the children of the Highest.” I believe that Jesus is saying that as the very children of God we can expect that reward. He goes on to say, “for He is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.” How much more would the Father want to bestow on His children than perhaps He might on those that don’t yet know Him. And, even to them He is kind to them.
Let us continue here in Luke 6. Verses 36 and 37 we are given additional instruction. We are to be merciful, in the same way that the Father is merciful to us. We are not to be judging and condemning. And, He says, if we do these things we will not be condemned. We are told to forgive and we shall be forgiven.
Now, let us look at verse 38. Jesus here begins to answer the question we asked at the very beginning, should we expect anything in return for giving? Notice. The first is a command or instruction. G-I-V-E. No longer is He speaking about lending. He says “give.” A simple, straightforward instruction. Give. The Greek word here translated “give,” is used in may alternative ways and tenses, but, the basic meaning is “give.” We all know what it means to give. We turn loose of, relinquish all rights and ownership of whatever we are giving. There are no strings attached. It is pretty plain. He says to give.
What He says next is powerful, an absolute promise. “And it shall be given unto you;” And, if that wasn’t sufficient He continues by telling us the extent of what and how it would be given. “Good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over,...” Some have seen this to be an indication of how items were put into the person’s container at the market. Bulky items were pressed down. Items such as meal, flour, etc. were shaken down so that everything was settled down and no empty voids were left. Liquid items were filled to the brim and allowed to run over. This does give us a mental picture, even if that isn’t exactly what He had in mind.
The next thing recorded I believe is a bit of a problem the way it is rendered. The King James Version has “shall men give unto your bosom.” The Greek word used here is the same as that translated “give” in the beginning of the verse, just a different form and tense. The “shall men” is an indication that what is to be given to us will come from men. This is not how it works. God is our source of all things, He is the giver of every good and perfect gift, James 1:17. He is our supply, the supplier of everything, Phil. 4:18. I believe as we continue that will become even clearer. In most of the newer Bible translations the words “shall men” have not been included.
Continuing with verse 38 it states that what we are given will be given into our bosom. What does that mean? Again, it appears to be speaking to how one was able to carry what they obtained at the market. The garments they wore were long, wide and loose. They could literally be used as a container to carry many items. I remember my mother wearing a large apron and would often use it to carry produce from the garden or perhaps eggs from the chicken house. So, whatever the container or if we were using our garment, it would be filled to overflowing with what we were to receive. He continues this verse by telling us that the standard by which we measure or give will be what is used to give or measure back to us. With the conclusion of this verse Jesus begins another subject, but there is much more to be gained from Scripture.
Before we leave this verse and our discussion on “shall men give” I would like to go to another teaching of Jesus. In Matthew chapter 25 He covers several items, the first being the parable of the ten virgins. Beginning in verse 14 he begins the account of the man giving unto his servants the talents before he left on a journey. Upon his return he called for an accounting. We are all familiar with the story I’m sure. Let us drop down in the chapter to verse 31. This speaks of when Jesus returns, when the Son of man shall come in His glory. It says He separates the sheep from the goats.
In verse 34 He speaks to those on His right hand, the sheep, and tells them to inherit the kingdom. Now let us notice what He begins to say in verse 35. He says He was hungry and they fed Him, that He was thirsty and they gave Him to drink, that He was a stranger and they took Him in. He says that He was naked and they clothed Him, He was sick and they visited Him, that He was in prison and they came to Him. In verses 37-39 the righteous ask when did they do all of these things. Verse 40 is the verse I want to highlight for our discussion. “And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” Do we understand? What gifts we give to anyone, to any church, missionary, charity, etc. is NOT being given to them but unto God, to Jesus. Yes, those individuals or organizations may be the recipients but the gift is truly to God.
The next several verses express the opposite to what we just read. These verses are to those on the left. He tells them that they didn’t do these things and they want to know when did they see Him hungry, thirsty, in prison, etc. and didn’t minister unto Him. He says quite plainly that when we haven’t done these things unto His little ones, the least of these, we haven’t done it unto Him. (Verse 45) Giving is unto God and Jesus although we may make our check out to some person or ministry.
But let us get back to our original question, should we look for a return when we give? I see that looking for a return from an individual or an organization would be ridiculous when we understand that the gift is to God in the first place. The Apostle Paul’s teaching on giving makes this all clear to me. Let us go to 2 Corinthians chapter 9.
He begins the chapter addressing the ministering or giving to the saints, the Christians in Jerusalem. He commends the Corinthians for their attitude, for their desire to give and how their enthusiasm had inspired others in Macedonia. He continues by saying he just wanted to touch base and make sure that they were ready when he and others came by to collect what they were giving.
In verse 6 Paul begins to draw the analogy of giving with that of farming, of sowing seed into the soil. He states that if one only sows a small handful of the seed he has he will not reap a very large crop. But, if, anticipating a big crop one sows “bountifully,” sowing what seed he has in the bag, he will reap accordingly. In verse 7 he tells us that God loves a cheerful giver. I love the fact that the Greek word translated “cheerful” is the word we get “hilarious” from. One translation puts it as “hilarious generosity.”
I think we can begin to learn something from this picture, this analogy that Paul gives us. The analogy of sowing seed was not original with Paul. Jesus used it a number of times, not always with money or finances but with the Word and the Kingdom of God. Mark chapter 4 is recorded His teaching on the Word being sown. He speaks of the Word being sown into the different soils, verses 3-20. He repeatedly spoke of a harvest, of yielding fruit and the seed increasing. Most of us are familiar with some sort of agriculture or gardening. A wheat farmer prepares the soil and sows the seed. In times past this was done by walking the field and flinging the handfuls of wheat out to the side. It was a labor intensive job. Today, the farmer may use some kind of mechanical means to either broadcast the seed for him or to perhaps plant it in tiny little rows with a “seed drill.” Why does the farmer go to all of this labor? He is anticipating a harvest. He looks forward to being able to bring in a large increase.
Jesus teaches more here in Mark chapter 4 using the sowing of grain as His analogy. Notice in verse 26, He compares the Kingdom of God to sowing seed. He says it is likened to a man casting seed into the ground. Why would he do this? He is expecting a harvest. Jesus continues, telling us that the man, after sowing the seed into the ground, must wait. He, it says, sleeps nights and rises each day. There is a passage of time. Jesus isn’t teaching a botany class but He tells us that seed, after being sown, germinates and puts down tiny roots. Then it springs up, at first a tiny shoot or small tiny leaves. But, it grows. The man doesn’t know how this occurs, doesn’t know how it happens, but that is how God created it to occur. Likewise, when we sow by giving, we don’t know how our “harvest” will come. Jesus continues, in verse 28, “For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself:” The word translated “herself” is interesting. The Greek word is automatos. You can probably guess what it means. It is the word we get our English word “automatic” from. Jesus is saying that the seed sown into the soil produces fruit automatically, spontaneously. When we sow our monetary gifts there will be a return, a harvest. We don’t know how that works BUT God tells us that it will. His word is sure.
Just like the physical seed that is sown into the soil, the harvest isn’t immediate. We have all heard the expression “seedtime and harvest.” It is better understood if we break that down a bit, as “seed,” the sowing, “time,” the process of sprouting, growing, plant maturing, setting the fruit, the fruit ripening and then comes the harvest. Jesus spells this out in His teaching, verse 28-29, “For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.” The harvest is what the sower has been anticipating from the day he went out to put in the seed.
Our giving is likened to this story. We give, truly to God, by sowing into a ministry, feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, etc. We know that the ministry, the individuals, are not going to give back to us BUT we can expect that harvest. One more time we look at Jesus’ words to us in Luke 6:38, “Give, and it shall be given unto you...” And, He continues to tell of the abundant harvest that is in store for us, that we can be anticipating. God wants to give us good gifts and He gives based on how we give, in the same measure we have given.
Let us look a few more Scriptures. In Matthew chapter 7 Jesus is telling us to ask for our needs and those things we desire. I draw your attention especially to verse 11, “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask Him? Not only does He give to us when we ask but He certainly fulfills His promise to give to us in response to our giving. What kind of a farmer would plant his crops and never look toward harvest time. Why should we not be eagerly, with great expectation, looking toward God’s giving to us.
Before we conclude let us return to Paul’s teaching in 2 Corinthians 9. Verse 8, “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:” What should we be doing with the abundance that he says God will give to us? He answers that question for us in verse 10, “Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness.” Paul is taking this from Isaiah 55:10. God causes the harvest to come in an abundance so that the sower has his needs met, i.e. bread for food, and then much more seed to be sown. We are promised that much will be given to us when we give, but not for us to acquire and lay-up. Money is to be used, to be given away. And, when it is we are promised more in return..
All of us, in order to serve and give, needs lots of money. Not, as James tells us in James 4:3, to consume it upon our lusts. Money, riches, are not evil. The usage can be, but, if we follow Jesus’ instructions to give we will be blessed with an abundance to be able to give more. And, expecting to receive as promised is not wrong!
Garry D. Pifer
2/26/19
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