Bible Studies in the Gospel of Matthew

Bible Studies in the Gospel of Matthew
XXIV

Matthew 5:42; Proverbs 3:27-28; James 2:15-16; Proverbs 21:26; Proverbs 29:7; Acts 20:35; Luke 6:35; 2 Corinthians 12:14; Luke 14:33: This commandment, just like all the other commandments, is given to us for our salvation, our profit, and our joy. Just as the commandment concerning the husband is not given to the wife, and the commandment concerning the wife is not given to the husband, so this commandment is not given to the poor but to those who have possessions.

It is dangerous to mix up medications! If a poor and lazy or greedy brother wants to make use of this scripture to satisfy his lust, you can safely refuse him. Thus you are giving him an opportunity for salvation, and by doing this, you keep the Sermon on the Mount.

This commandment is medicine for all those who have a surplus. It is bound to heal the following sicknesses: love of money, covetousness, luxurious living, the pride of life, stinginess, unbelief, and anxiety. Of course you risk being brought down to zero, but that is not dangerous. Many thousands have lived there and are still living there.

This leaves us with only two questions: 1) Do you have what your neighbor is lacking? 2) Does your neighbor really need it?

All other questions about what you will have left to live on afterwards if this or that should happen, etc., are from the evil one. The ungodly ask such questions. Self-love, unbelief, and anxiety ask such questions.

If you do not know of anyone who needs help (if that should ever happen), if you do not see your brother’s need, that in itself does not mean that you are innocent or justified. For then the great question is: “Why do you not know it?” For it is written: “The righteous considers [has knowledge of] the cause of the poor.” Therefore it goes to show that if I do not know about the matter, I am lacking in righteousness, or in other words, I am lacking mercy and love.