Matthew 5:42 writes:
Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
Sometimes I wonder if this means more than just the church and, if so, if I am expected to literally give to all who ask.
Is there any indication that this
doesn't mean 'more than just the church'? Why would you assume Jesus is only asking that you give to fellow church members? Reading on:
quote:
Matthew 5:43—44 (NRSV):
'You have heard that it was said, "You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy." But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, ...
Certainly the ones to whom Jesus' followers are to give and the ones for whom they are to pray cannot be a group restricted only to fellow members of his followingthe 'church', unless you wish to interpret Jesus as implying that fellow members will be 'those who persecute you'.
Jon
Love your enemies!
™ Version 4.2