"You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other side also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you."
This paragraph could be applied and taken many different ways and I could go into the differing opinions, but those are not what stuck out to me. It was that last verse, verse 42, that struck this time. I really think that it puts the icing on the cake when it comes to applying these verses and I don't remember anyone ever taking about it before. People will always remember "Turn the other cheek," or "Go the extra mile," but seldom do people discuss the actually giving of our possessions to one who is in need.
Mark Moore, in his The Chronological Life of Christ commentary, writes "Jesus assumes that the needs are genuine. We are not obligated for instance, to give a buck to a derelict to fuel his habit, or fill the tank of a panhandler...At the same time, we are not authorized to ferret out fakes. It would be better to be duped than to neglect genuine needs."
Mark hits the nail on the head. We are to give to people with genuine needs. It is always a struggle to decide who is and is not in need, and at times it is easy to judge a person before we even attempt to help them. I have been guilty of this time and time again. We see a person on the side of the street and we tell ourselves "The only want money for alcohol...drugs...illicit acts..." We all have done this, but Jesus says to give to those who ask and do not turn away such people.
This verse touched me, and I am going to do something about it. I am hope to remember this verse when people ask me for things or when I see people who might be in need. What are you going to do about it?
Mark Moore, in his The Chronological Life of Christ commentary, writes "Jesus assumes that the needs are genuine. We are not obligated for instance, to give a buck to a derelict to fuel his habit, or fill the tank of a panhandler...At the same time, we are not authorized to ferret out fakes. It would be better to be duped than to neglect genuine needs."
Mark hits the nail on the head. We are to give to people with genuine needs. It is always a struggle to decide who is and is not in need, and at times it is easy to judge a person before we even attempt to help them. I have been guilty of this time and time again. We see a person on the side of the street and we tell ourselves "The only want money for alcohol...drugs...illicit acts..." We all have done this, but Jesus says to give to those who ask and do not turn away such people.
This verse touched me, and I am going to do something about it. I am hope to remember this verse when people ask me for things or when I see people who might be in need. What are you going to do about it?
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