Give to Everyone who Asks
Luke and Mathew present Jesus teaching a very distinct and challenging command to his followers:
“Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what
belongs to you, do not demand it back.” Luke 6:30 NIV
“Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away
from the one who wants to borrow from you.” Matthew 5:42 NIV
What distinguished the followers of Jesus from all other people at the time was that they believed he had authority from God and they felt an obligation to do what he commanded them. His followers probably often thought that many of Jesus’s commands were simply too difficult or perhaps too radical, such as the command to “give to everyone who asks you.” Nevertheless, a distinguishing feature of all followers of Jesus (even today) is that they feel an obligation to do what he commanded, regardless of difficulty.
While the command to give to everyone/the one who asks might seem like an open-ended financial obligation with potential to jeopardize our livelihood, it is important to point out that Jesus did not say “give to everyone exactly what they request.” If the command of Jesus was carefully formulated and carefully preserved, this has implications for its application. For example, a homeless person could ask you to give them your car, but what Jesus said does not obligate you to give them your car. What then did Jesus obligate his followers to give? While it seems clear that the command was intended to supply to those who ask the necessities of life, food, clothing, and shelter, in the modern, developed world Jesus’s command probably extends beyond the bare necessities.
If the teachings of Jesus are the center and most important part of your life, then it seems to me that followers of Jesus must always be ready to give help to any random person who approaches them seeking help. Of course, certain caveats to this command are presupposed, such as wisdom and cultural values indicate that a woman alone is not obligated to respond to the sincere or insincere queries of a strange man. Also, I personally do not believe that Jesus obligates us to give to someone passively holding a sign for money. Although on occasion I give to people holding signs, I never refuse someone who asks me personally for help. Most often the request is for something to eat, and unless I am in a hurry, I will take them somewhere to get something to eat. If I am in a hurry, and I have cash (which is rare these days), I give them some cash. They may ask for steak and lobster, but I may give them chic-fil-a instead. One night, a young guy and a girl were standing out in the rain as I came out of a store. They were homeless and asked for help. I listened to their story and the most obvious need for them was a hotel room. I drove them to an affordable motel, and offered to pick them up for church the next morning. I showed up the next morning, but they did not want to go to church. I later realized they stole my work raincoat from the back seat of my car. When you offer to buy people food after they ask, many often will reject the offer. I have several funny stories of people rejecting my offer to buy them food.
Respecting safety caveats, Jesus taught his followers to give to the needy when they ask. I believe that Jesus intended this command to extend beyond the mere necessities of life. On more than one occasion, different friends have found themselves in financial trouble and reached out to me to ask for help with their mortgage payment. I was surprised in each case but able to meet the need that was presented, without the pressure and obligation of repayment. Another time a Christian friend had a serious court case and asked to borrow some money. I knew the case was serious and I only gave as much as I felt I could afford should the friend fail to pay me back.
In the end, if you think that doing what Jesus taught his followers is a necessary part of being a follower of Jesus, then it is time to be prepare yourself for action when people ask you for help.
