Pens. Books. That 20 dollar bill. Even that favorite college sweatshirt that I lent to that girl I was dating.
It’s hard not to let the resentment settle in. I lent this to you. I didn’t give it as a gift. I feel like I was pretty clear. But it’s still gone. Not to be seen again.
Jesus in Luke 6:35 tells people to “Lend, expecting nothing in return.”
I don’t think He was just being cynical about people returning borrowed items. He wasn’t just warning us that our sweatshirts and books wouldn’t be brought back, so we might as well get used to the disappointment.
Instead, consider that item in the grand scheme of all that you have. Life, forgiveness, the gift of the Holy Spirit. A promise of the Resurrection. Even the sweatshirt doesn’t seem like that big of a deal compared to what He has given us. So why not give it away if it is needed?
Or maybe even better, be proactive and look for the need in your neighbor before they even have to ask to borrow. Imagine their amazement when you provide what they need, when you say “there’s no need to pay me back.”
Because you have something greater, given to you by Someone greater. And He isn’t going to ask for it back. No interest. No repayment. Just free gift.
The Son of God providing what we need now and in eternity, smiling at us and saying, “there’s no need to pay me back.” Not that we could. The gift has already depreciated in us. He needs to replenish it Himself. And He’s happy to “lend” more, still nothing in return until we’re with Him in the Resurrection, completely filled, nothing lacking anymore.