“Give to the one who asks you”
Matthew 5:42
Cultural referenceSettledJesus
Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. (Matthew 5:42 BSB)
What it sounds like today
An impossible blank check to every asker.
The cultural key
Almsgiving stood at the center of Jewish piety, and Torah commanded interest-free lending to the poor (Exodus 22:25; Deuteronomy 15:7–11), with the notorious temptation to refuse loans as the sabbatical debt-release year approached, since the debt might be cancelled. Jesus' hearers knew both duties and both dodges.
Recovered meaning
Close the loopholes on generosity too: give and lend based on the need in front of you, not on the odds of repayment. The set that began with a slap ends with an open hand.
Parallels: Luke 6:30