— “Love should be generous, but generosity without wisdom destroys relationships.”
📖 Summary
Scripture calls believers to love others (Rom 13:8)
but to do so with wisdom and discernment (Prov 22:7).
Lending money is not merely financial — it’s a test of love, responsibility, and faithfulness.
True generosity helps without corrupting, and always honors God’s principles.
1️⃣ Introduction | “Am I unkind if I refuse to lend money?”
When someone pleads for financial help, it feels unchristian to say no.
Yet many believers have learned painfully that money can divide hearts faster than it helps.
The Bible never forbids helping — but it commands us to help wisely.
2️⃣ Biblical Foundation | Love Freely, Lend Wisely
📘 Romans 13:8 (ESV)
“Owe no one anything, except to love each other.”
→ Love’s debt is eternal, but financial debt binds relationships.
📘 Proverbs 22:7 (ESV)
“The borrower is the slave of the lender.”
→ Lending often changes relationship dynamics.
📘 Luke 6:34–35 (ESV)
“Lend, expecting nothing in return.”
→ True generosity expects nothing back.
📘 James 1:5 (ESV)
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God.”
→ Lending decisions require prayerful discernment.
📘 Proverbs 11:15 (ESV)
“Whoever puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer harm.”
→ Avoid taking financial responsibility for another’s risk.
3️⃣ Theological Insights
📜 John MacArthur — The Freedom and Power of Forgiveness
“Financial generosity can express love,
but indiscriminate lending fosters greed and dependence.”
📜 R.C. Sproul — The Call to Holiness
“True holiness means giving wisely, not recklessly.”
📜 John Piper — Desiring God
“Good deeds become self-righteous when they are not rooted in delight in God.”
📜 Jonathan Edwards — Charity and Its Fruits
“Charity without discernment is sentiment, not sanctification.”
📜 Westminster Confession of Faith, Ch. 16
“Good works glorify God only when they avoid harm or injustice.”
4️⃣ False Views vs. Biblical Correction
| False View | Problem | Biblical Correction |
|---|---|---|
| “Refusing means I’m cold-hearted.” | Guilt-based love | Love acts wisely (Phil 1:9). |
| “If I lend, God will repay me.” | Transactional faith | Lend as giving, not expecting (Luke 6:35). |
| “Christians must always help.” | Misused brotherhood | Help without enabling irresponsibility (Gal 6:5). |
| “Saying no is unspiritual.” | Fear of judgment | Godly wisdom sometimes says ‘no’. |
5️⃣ Practical Application | Five Biblical Steps
1️⃣ Pray first — Ask God for peace before deciding.
2️⃣ Redefine help — Consider non-monetary aid.
3️⃣ Be willing to lose what you lend — If not, don’t lend.
4️⃣ Set clear boundaries — Protect relationships from financial strain.
5️⃣ Sometimes “no” is love — Saying no may help someone grow in responsibility.
6️⃣ Conclusion
Helping others financially can glorify God — but only when guided by wisdom.
God entrusts us with resources not to enable sin,
but to advance righteousness and love.
“Managing money God’s way is not selfishness;
it is stewardship.” — Revito
Faith. Wisdom. Renewal. — Revito
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