And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.
And if you only lend money to people who you know will pay you back, what's so special about that? Even people who don't care about God do that, they lend to each other expecting to get their money back plus interest.
Real generosity happens when you give without expecting anything in return.
📚 Historical Context
In the context of first-century Judaism, lending money was a common practice, often done with the expectation of repayment, which reflected the everyday economic interactions and the self-interested behaviors of society. Jesus shared this teaching during His Sermon on the Plain, as recorded in Luke's Gospel, to challenge His listeners to rise above the norms of sinners who only help those who can reciprocate. This verse fits into a broader message where Jesus contrasts human selfishness with the selfless love God desires from His people.
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