You have heard that it has been said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I say unto you that you resist not evil, but whoever shall smite you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue you at the law and take away your coat, let him have it. And if he sue you again, let him have your cloak also. And whoever shall compel you to go a mile, go with him a mile, and whoever shall compel you to go with him two, you shall go with him two. Give to him that asks of you; and from him that would borrow of you, turn not away. (Matthew 5:38-42)
I divide these verses into two parts. How to react when someone trespasses against you. The response is that you don't revile, contend or seek vengeance but suffer it gracefully, forgive and then take it to the Lord.
The second part is what to do when someone asks of you or seeks to borrow from you. I talked about the beggar previously and these words also address this topic.
Christians will not suffer the beggar to put up their request in vain. Some will say that the beggar has brought upon themselves their misery and that their suffering is therefore just. If you do this you need to repent.
We are all beggars. We all rely on God for all that we have, both food and clothing, both money and any riches that we have. We are all beggars pleading with God to forgive us and grant us a remission of sins.
God grants to us whatsoever we ask that is right, in faith, believing that we will receive. Therefore we should give of our substance to those who stand in need. If we judge someone who asks of us and condemn them and they perish? Then just will be our condemnation for withholding our substance which belongs to God and not us.
In this I'm talking about those who are rich as to thing things of this world. Those who are poor, who don't have but enough for themselves are not required to give. That said, we should still in our hearts say, “I give not because I have not. If I had, I would give.” Those who do this remain guiltless but are otherwise condemned for coveting that which they have not received.
It is possible to obtain a remission of sins day to day from God and walk guiltless before him. Doing so requires us to impart of our riches or excess to the poor by satisfying both their needs and wants. To love our neighbor as yourself. To lay up treasures in Heaven.
But in doing so we are to be wise and orderly for it isn't appropriate or requires for us to run faster than we have strength. Only our excess is to be purposed to this end. Therefore take care remember the poor and take care how you respond to the petition of the beggar.
