Q. from a Jew for Christians?

Question

This is a sincere question and is not being asked to offend people.
That being said, I read the new testament awhile ago and stumbled upon a verse I had heard rumors about, namely Luke 6:30.
This verse seems to say that if someone asks a person who believes in the NT for something that the believer should give it to the asker.
However, in discussions with christians, some have told me that I'm misunderstanding the verse.
So, I was looking for comments and clarification.
Thank you for your help.

Also, please try to keep answers SHORT (no more than 40 lines).

Here's a link I found online: http://bibleresources.bible.com/passagesearchresults.php?passage1=luke+6&version1=31

PastorJ, that was helpful, thank you. However, it doesn't seem to be indicated from the text itself. For example, it says that if someone takes (read: steals!) something from you, that you shouldn't ask for it back. This isn't a loan. This is someone taking something away, yet it still says not to ask for it back. So, how does one draw the distinction between small things (e.g. a few bucks) and big things (e.g. one's house) (obviously, you can't give away your children, that much I think is logical)?

Stevey's_wife,
But if god said "give to him who asks", wouldn't that be "consulting with god"? After all, if he said it then he meant it, no? (also, where is the commandment to be good stewards?) thanks for your help.

Buster, thanks for your reply but I really don't understand what you're trying to say.

mike, thanks for your help but I think you should know that terms like "rabbi jesus" are highly offensive to jews.

Answer 1

It is one of the clear instructions that get "misread" a lot. The group of verses is instructions for Christians to not hang on to material goods. If someone wants something of yours, you should let it go. It isn't important, Christ is. True Christians give as much of themselves as they can. The passage you refer to(and the surrounding verses) are a bit of an extension of the do not covet commandment. It is saying that anything you possess is worthless in the end, so don't be too attached to it. This is also sort of a reference to the rich man. The man came to Jesus and said he had followed the commandments all his life, what more did he need to do to be saved. Jesus said sell and distribute you goods to the poor and follow me. The man became sad because he was wealthy. That is the idea of the verses in Luke as well, don't be sad about giving away you stuff.

Answer 2

As an aside. .. how Jewish are you? You may be surprised to know how well versed (at least while at seminary) many rabbis are with portions of the Christian Testament, especially the Gospels (which includes Luke).

What is being said here by "Rabbi Jesus". ..as Luke's account of the Sermon on the Mount (best known in the gospel of Matthew). . .is, in substance, not all that different from a Hillel trained Rabbi during the start of the Common Era.

What is being advanced in Luke 6:30 is a radical standard of unconditional and liberal generosity. . .without describing specific situations where it applies (although 6:29 appears to talk about clothing--but likely in metaphor). . .and in an effort to explain that the so-called Golden Rule (which is really a commandment from Torah!) means much more than a superficial reading.

It also helps to read a few Bible translations to get a fuller sense of the meaning.

Here is Peterson's translation (from "The Message") of Luke 6:30: "If someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously."

Hope this helps. . .but be aware. . .you are not onto something that would meaningfully differentiate Christians and Jews. . .as if Christians had a better Golden Rule (which they do not). . .for a deeper appreciation of Torah and its application would demonstrate to you and others that, in substance, Rabbi Jesus was not entirely different from other great Rabbis of his time.

In closing, I would recommend Rabbi Teushkin's wonderful book, "Biblical Literacy". . .and his two volume work, "Jewish Ethics". . .for which only volume one is now out.

Best wishes to you on your Journey!

Answer 3

I was raised in the manner that if I confess to the person I sinned against, they may forgive my sins in Jesus' name and blood. However, I may never sin against God or Jesus.

My Uncle was a Jew (he has passed away) so I understand his strengths also. He was a champion chess player always smoking a cigar. I beat him once and won't mention the @#*$@ I heard him admonishing himself with afterwards.

I checked out your link and remember reading the scripture in the past, but really feel a stronger connection can be made between you and Jesus if you so desire. I do understand that the Jewish nation is still waiting for the Messiah.

This is the part you'll have to explain to me. You've had Adam, Abraham, Job, Jacob, David, Moses, Samuel, Daniel, ... the list could go on. But none were good enough, or were none able to take away the pain you felt?

1 John 1:9 says "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrightousness." I went to a wooden church that at one time had a large congregation, but not anymore. I used to watch my grandpa and he would weep through the service. My uncle was the song leader. But we kept that church alive.

So I don't know what I'm saying, 40 lines or less, must be getting there, my wife and I are on your side in the present battle.

Thanks,
Buster

Answer 4

When reading the passage in Luke 6, it is important to look not just at one line, but at the entire passage. This helps to put things in their proper perspectives. Luke 6:30 comes in to focus in Luke 6:32-36. One of the things that Jesus tries to teach people is that material possessions and money will do nothing for you. Proverbs, for one, addresses this as well. Jesus is trying to show that there is much more out there, than what you have or the amount of it. Possessions and money are not God, yet people will act as if they were. Idol worshiping. That is why Jesus said that you would have to give up everything to follow him. Not demanding it back shows that it will not help you get to heaven. I hope this helps you. God Bless.

Answer 5

Jesus' words stand in contrast to contemporary thought for that era. The customary thought surrounded going to extreme lengths to avoid inequity or unjustifiable actions. The "eye-for-eye" type of thought was only one side of the coin. Construed from this was "I'll weed with you if you'll weed with me"; and not, "I'll weed with you if you plow with me", which was considered an unjust proposal... All things came under the scrutiny of The Law. What Jesus taught was the departure from the legalistic viewpoint, and an embracing of a Loving viewpoint. If someone is in need, and you can help, you are expected to do so--- even if you don't like the person's looks or politics... And, when you DO help, it's not to be motivated by some "tax-deductible" or "rebate" incentive--- it is to come freely from the heart. This does not endow the person asking with unlimited rights; but, it does much to teach people the message of compassion and care for their brother. This is mercy. What does the prophet say? "love mercy, do what is right, and walk humbly with your God". It's the same teaching; the same God; the same Spirit. It was only the problem with people's focus that Jesus pointed out. That problem still exists today.

Answer 6

In that passage Jesus is telling people how they can demonstrate the gracious nature of God in their daily lives. That doesn't mean that someone is supposed to just give away everything that they own just because someone asks them for it. It means that people should be charitable to those who are in need and not to base that charity on whether or not they happen to like the other person.

In a parallel passage Jesus talks about how God causes the sun to rise on the evil and the good and the rain to fall on the just and the unjust. It's a way for Christians to be like their Heavenly Father.

Luke 6:35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. 36 Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.

Answer 7

I know that this is a little longer than what you asked for, but bear with me, since I too have struggled with this same issue.

Ever heard of the phrase, "I give to the needy and not the greedy"? I believe that Jesus is talking about not refusing someone who has a true need (and to give him more that he expects). In other words, to live a generous life.

2 Corinthians 8 (NIV)
Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality, As it is written: "He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little."

2 Thessalonians 3 (NIV)
In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone's food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to make ourselves a model for you to follow. For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: "If a man will not work, he shall not eat."
We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat. And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right.

See also Luke 11:5-10

PS: I saw your comment that "Rabbi Jesus" is offensive to Jews, but the Gospels seem to indicate that is what people of his day called him (not too many of the people of his day, outside his inner circle called him "christ").

Answer 8

Read 'The Sermon On The Mound.'

Read it several times. It is basically Jesus' blueprint for everything He stood for.

Sadly, Christianity has become a 'pick-and-choose' religion where too many accept the teachings they are comfortable with and either ignore or alter (create a justification for) the ones they chose not to follow.

I'm not picking on Christians here. Most major religions have gone through the 'pick-and-chose' syndrome (with the exception of sects like the Amish) and settled for something that more comfortably fits their lifestyles or their political climate.

Answer 9

If you look at all the scriptures surrounding verse 30, they would seem to imply the revelation of a principle of God's kingdom.

The essence of Christian life is love, and love is manifested by responding to personal insult and injustice, not with retaliation or passive endurance, but with positive and aggressive acts of goodness designed to redeem the offender.

Romans 12:21 says, "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Most of those scriptures including vs 30, appear to be moving the believer to overcome evil actions with the goodness of God for the purpose of the salvation of the offender's soul.

If it's a matter of just giving our possessions to another because they ask, then it would be wise to counsel with God before you depart from your things, as He has blessed you everything you have. He requires that we be good stewards over our belongings and wise servants to boot, and knowing when to hold on to things and when to let go requires seeing what the Father in heaven is doing.

ADDED:
Consulting with God is actually going to Him in prayer and asking Him what He would have you to, then listening to hear what the Spirit is saying. Sometimes He directs you as the situation unfolds.

Having a person ask you for something, as a friend or neighbor would politely ask, does not qualify as the authority of God. But in a the case of vs 30, giving your goods is intended by God as an opportunity for the Lord to convict the offender's heart in what he is doing. If you hand over you goods with a loving attitude, or you give your second coat with grace when the offender demanded only one, it will enable the Lord to move in the situation in a way that can bring repentance to the person who took your stuff and change their life. I have heard testimony of that very thing happening and the miracle God performed in the offender's life.

Good stewardship has to do with how you handle what God gives you whether it's a spiritual gift or a material possession. Luke 16:1-12, for instance, explains the importance of being faithful with money.

Answer 10

As a Christian Pastor I have always made a practice of giving to those that ask as long as it doesn't hurt my family, which is my first responsibility.
We have to understand that there are those that would ask untill everything you had was gone and then they would just move on to the next victim.

PS. when remarks are made that are found to be offensive I would pray that you understand that often times it is strictly through a lack of knowledge and no offense was intended.
But then if more people would answer as you did we all would come to know one another better.