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NASB | Matthew 17:27 "However, so that we do not offend them, go to the sea and throw in a hook, and take the first fish that comes up; and when you open its mouth, you will find a shekel. Take that and give it to them for you and Me." |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 17:27 "However, so that we do not offend them, go to the sea and throw in a hook, and take the first fish that comes up; and when you open its mouth, you will find a shekel. Take it and give it to them [to pay the temple tax] for you and Me." |
Subject: What's Jesus example of borrowing money? |
Bible Note: I was being a bit silly. But doesn't that bit of the Gospel make you smile? We need to keep some humour in our study of the Bible, cause Jesus is at times a joker too. There is no description of how Jesus dealt with money... We know that he ate at other peoples' homes (like Zacheus), and stayed in peoples homes (like Mary, Lazarus and Martha). We know they kept a purse for giving to the poor, and that the disciples were stressed about the finances of feeding the 5000. Jesus tells a number of stories about shrewd financial managers, encouraging us to be clever and resourceful. (Luke 16 elevates an unjust steward as an example... strange indeed.) The Bible is clear about usury being wrong, which puts our Banks into a difficult place. Jesus maintains this OT sense, suggesting that we loan money without expectation of repayment (not only no interest, but to give it away!) Yikes. Matthew 5:42 "Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away." Luke 6:35 "But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. This last ones casts the borrower as "unthankful and evil." Hmmm.... Sometimes resigning ourselves to poor treatment frees us to be generous despite circumstances -- and then to really appreciate any gratitude we receive. Now, I have a mortgage, and some other debts -- related mostly to my business. I feel OK about it, although it can be a burden. One guideline I have heard Christians use (not Biblical, but thought out), is that it is not OK to borrow for things that depreciate in value (general living expenses, or even a car)... you should live within your means. But if you borrow for something that will INCREASE in value (ie. a house, an education, a business expansion) that is OK. Do I stick to this? Not quite --- my business fluctuates, so at times I borrow to get through a hard cycle. But it is a useful measure, I think. Here is a text I keep in mind: My child, if you have given your pledge to your neighbor, if you have bound yourself to another, you are snared by the utterance of your lips, caught by the words of your mouth. So do this, my child, and save yourself, for you have come into your neighbor's power: go, hurry, and plead with your neighbor. Give your eyes no sleep and your eyelids no slumber; save yourself like a gazelle from the hunter, like a bird from the hand of the fowler. (Proverbs 6:1-5) Yours, JRM |