FINANCIAL - LENDING

Scripture Reading - Luke 6:34-35 ERV (Easy-to-Read Version)

34 If you lend things to people, always expecting to get something back, should you get any special praise for that? No, even sinners lend to other sinners so that they can get back the same amount!
35 "I'm telling you to love your enemies and do good to them. Lend to people without expecting to get anything back. If you do this, you will have a great reward. You will be children of the Most High God. Yes, because God is good even to the people who are full of sin and not thankful.

Many people in the earth today are acquainted with “lending”. Typically when we think of a loan we think about the bank “lending” us money. However, generally if the bank “lends” you money under a written contact it is for their profit. This means they will charge you interest (their profit) for using their money. Thus, it would be far better for us to have our own money to purchase what we need and/or pay for services that we need. Since the banks have enjoyed a good amount of success many people practice this on an individual basis. We (ihlcc) know of individuals who will charge interest on the money “lent” to someone in their family. This seems prudent to those of the world’s system because it increases your income to offset the risk of “lending” someone else money. The Word of God tells us to practice a different way as a Christian. The true measure of a disciple of Jesus is how much they practice (do, demonstrate) the Word of God in the Spirit of Love. First we should be in a position of prosperity to consider “lending” God’s way. The Lord never intended for one person who is financially strapped (lacking) to bail out another person who is financially feeble (experiencing lack). When we understand the context of 2 Corinthians 8:11-15 it is easy to see that God’s Plan (His Perfect Will) is for those with the means (financial abundance) are ordained by God (equipped mentally and financially) to help those who are less fortunate financially. The key is understanding when you “lend” money to other people because they are not strong in saving there is a good chance they will not be able to pay you back. Thus, typically strangers are removed from the equation because many people don’t trust a stranger. So we are left with the majority of people we “lend” money to which are family members and friends. Since, this type of “lending” is very common among people the wisdom of God speaks to verbally (outwardly) express to the other person that l will “lend” you this money (item, material possession, etc…) because you asked me and I believe you need this help. However inwardly know and understand that the person may not have the character or the financial surplus to pay you back. This is why many elders advise, “Never lend (loan) something to someone else that you could not afford to give them, because in the future you may not get it back”. This statement is true on two counts: for one they may not ever think you really need it, so why should they worry about paying you back (we know man’s heart is sinfully wicked) and secondly is it worth risking the friendship or and family fellowship over a material thing. We should not be so carnal minded that a temporary thing like money could cause us to be offended at other person spiritually. We all claim to be spiritually but generally speaking many Christians have stumbled over this trap of the enemy. So “lend” without hoping for a return or don’t lend at all. The Lord knows what you can do and He also knows what you should not do. Therefore “lend” God’s Way in peace from your private storehouse of extra (abundance) or be honest enough to tell the requestor I don’t have the money to “lend” you at this time. Remember, the Lord is all about truth and it is only His truth spoken from our lips that will set us free and keep us free in Jesus Name. Amen!