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“The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth” (Psalm 37:21).
Have you ever lent something to someone, and never gotten it back again? I remember when I was in my first year of high school (that was about 65 years ago!), another boy borrowed some money from me, and never paid it back. You will probably laugh about it, because he borrowed only ten cents! But I did not have much money back then, and it really bothered me. The other boy thought it was a big joke, as he never intended to pay it back. He bought a piece of pie with that money in our high school cafeteria.
If we borrow something from someone, it is important to bring it back, or pay it back. But then the last part of the verse tells us that the righteous shows mercy, and gives. Does that mean that we are always to give something to someone who asks for it? No, we need wisdom from the Lord in order to use His money wisely, but it is a wonderful thing to give when someone is in real need.
I know a Christian man who was approached by another Christian brother who was poor, who asked for a loan of money. The brother who was asked to give the loan said, “No, I will not loan you the money, but I will give it to you.” He could afford to give the money, and he was glad to help the other brother who needed some help. Needless to say, the poor brother was very thankful for the help. God is a giving God, and we are called to be like Him.
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