Word Action lesson 1/7/06

[Gerald Spear]

The scripture for Sundays lesson is from Luke 6: 17-36

What would be an good explanation for verses 34, 35?

[Wilson L. Deaton]

The scripture for Sundays lesson is from Luke 6: 17-36

What would be an good explanation for verses 34, 35?

I think the explanation is pretty straightforward and that the verse simply means what it says without and kind of symbolic or figurative meaning.

To elaborate: Most of us shouldn't be in the lending business. When asked for a loan we need to ask ourselves, "Can I afford to lose this and am I willing to lose this?" If the answer to either question is, "no," then don't lend the money. If you are comfortable with the knowledge you may never get it back then go ahead and lend it. You have to have the attitude that if it comes back that would be great, but if it doesn't that is OK to.

I even follow this principle with my books! If I'm not willing to lose it, I don't lend it out.

Furthermore, I think this principle should be applied to things like, "favors," as well. If you mow your neighbors lawn while he was in on vacation or sick or something you should do so without expecting him to return the favor. Our society teaches us, "You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours." Jesus taught the principle, "I'll scratch your back whether you scratch mine or not."

Wilson

[Gerald Spear]

Thanks, Wilson,

I would interpert this more as the favor or good deed that I would do for a person without the predetermined intent that I was doing the deed for the sole purpose of being repaid in some future way. This would come under the "gift" with no strings attached contribution to a persons well beings.

I can not associate this with lending money to someone. I finance loans for people to buy property. I finance with the intent of receiving my money back with interest. If they donot repay, I have recourse through the courts.

Also, I lend the bank money to buy a CD, I expect the Bank to return my money with interest.

NEW QUESTION

Another thought I have concerning the descriptive term in verse 17, "a level place"
Did Luke have a reason to mention the lay of the land?

[Wilson L. Deaton]

I can not associate this with lending money to someone. I finance loans for people to buy property. I finance with the intent of receiving my money back with interest. If they donot repay, I have recourse through the courts.

Also, I lend the bank money to buy a CD, I expect the Bank to return my money with interest.

For now, let's separate "lending as a business" and/or "investments" from simple personal loans. Based on crowd, context, etc., I believe Jesus was thinking of the situations like a neighbor or co-worker or brother-in-law asking to borrow $50 (or $500) or something like that. That being the case, I believe that what I said earlier applies.

(I don't care to address the "business" side at this time.)


NEW QUESTION

Another thought I have concerning the descriptive term in verse 17, "a level place"
Did Luke have a reason to mention the lay of the land?

Probably no theological reason.

Some people believe that this sermon is Luke's version of the Sermon on the Mount and have a real problem with the differences. Others say this is the, "Sermon on the Plain," which simply covers some of the same material but in a different time and place. However, the phrase (in Greek) probably indicates a "level area on a mountainside" as opposed to a valley, plain, or seashore, thus it could indeed be Luke's rendition of the Sermon on the Mount.

Wilson

[Barb Bouldrey]

This is a tough lesson to teach and explain so that it makes sense.

I am stressing the first phrase of Verse 27 to help explain the rest of the text..."Love your enemies."

I am stressing that the key ideas are:

1. Love your enemy.
2. Do not retaliate
3. Do not demand your rights...as is returning the money I lent to you.
4. Elminate self interest by caring about the welfare of others
5. Do good, not evil.
6. WWJD...What Would Jesus Do?

And the motivation for all of it is LOVE.

If someone borrows it is because they have a need. A Christian is to be a cheerful giver, so might be motivated by love to give more than is required or asked for.

Barb

[David Cash]

It isn't really in the context, but I personally would also feel uncomfortable charging interest on a personal loan.

I'm not sure how the banking thing works with relation to all this. There might be a difference between helping somebody out of a personal disaster and participating in commercial finance. You've got a challenging question on that one, Gerald.

As for the lesson as a whole, I hope I was able to emphasize the idea that Jesus was calling us to look to eternity and not just think in terms of this earth. I treated the Sermon on the Mount and the Sermon on the Plain as two different occasions, but Wilson's explanation also makes sense.

My pastor is in my class, and he was kind enough not to tell me he was going to be preaching on Matthew 5's "Blessed are the poor in spirit" today. It would have made teaching on a similar passage a bit of a trial for me had I known. Of course, we'll still be in this passage of Luke next Sunday and he'll still be in Matthew 5. Oh well.

David Cash

[Dave McClung]

I am not sure that my comments are helpful, but this scripture touches on an issue that I have faced numberous times over my life. I have carefully studied the scriptures on the topic and have tried to follow them, but honestly I have not found a way to lend money to a friend.

I started from the view that when a friend asked for a loan I would not turn them down. I quickly got the reputation of being a "soft touch." I attempted to follow this scripture. I told myself that I would not expect the money to be returned. None the less, the one who borrowed always promised to pay the loan back. Inevitably my relationship with the person changed. It wasn't the loss of the money that bothered me. It was the loss of respect for a friend who didn't keep his word. It was my experience, that the person who borrowed the money would begin to treat me differently. Instead of a "friend", I became a "creditor." It wasn't a relationship I liked.

My respone to the experience was to stop lending. When someone asked for a loan, I told them. "It has been my experience that when I lend money to a friend, I lose my money and the friend. If I am going to lose your friendship because I dont' lend to you, at least I will still have my money." I didn't feel good about that response.

My next attempt was to simply give the money. When a friend would ask to borrow money, I would say, "I won't lend it to you, but I will give it to you." In most cases, the friend would say, "I won't accept it on those terms."

For the past several years, when I have loaned money to friends I have told them to repay the money to the church and to not report to me concerning whether or not they have paid. It is the best way that I have found, but still isn't perfect. I have had several disappointing experiences.

So, my understanding of this scripture has come from numerous experiences. I think it is improper to break this scripture at verse 36. One has to continue reading to the last sentence of verse 37, "The way you treat others is the way you will be treated."

If a friend asks to borrow money from you, treat them the way you would want to be treated. More times than not, people want to borrow money for an "opportunity." Friends don't help friends chase opportunities they can't afford.

Other times friends ask to borrow money to attempt to maintain a life style above their income level. A friend doesn't help a friend get deeper and deeper into debt.

Other times friends ask to borrow money because of mistakes they have made in the past. They are attempting to avoid facing the consequences of their mistakes. A friend doesn't help a friend to avoid learning the lessons from their mistakes.

On a few rare occasions, a friend asks to borrow money for food and shelter. When a friend is "truly" in need, a friend doesn't lend money, he gives it without expecting return.

Anyway, that is the way I have come to understand this scripture.

[Barb Bouldrey]

Dave,

I wish you had written this last night. It is a wonderful illustration and explanation.

May I copy it and use it next Sunday as we finish this Sermon on the Mount/Sermon on the Plain lesson?

Barb

[David Cash]

Thanks, Dave. I like your understanding of this passage.

David Cash

[Gerald Spear]

There are three groups of people that you do not lend money to.

Friends
Family
People you go to church with.

As, Dave said you stand to not only loose the money, but you also loose them as a friend.

[Gerald Spear]

Lesson for Next Sunday on judging.

If we are not to judge, can we evaluate and make a comparson to an exceptable standard of action.

What constitutes judgment?

Can you evaluate without judging?

[Barb Bouldrey]

A lot of people confuse "judging" with recognizing sin as sin. For example, if you talk to someone about their sin problem because you care about them and their spiritual life, you might hear, "Who are YOU to judge me?"

Sometimes people THINK you are judging them or accuse you of judging them if you just mention their sin. Their false defense is to accuse you of judging them. They do not want to hear about their sin.

Judging them is declaring them as judged and then holding it against them, or putting up a barrier between you and them. You treat them as judged and sentenced sinners.

I can see a couple living together without being married and just KNOW they are sinning because they are breaking God's commandments. It is how I act toward them that shows whether I am judging them or not. If I snub them or preach at them or give them distasteful looks, I am judging them. If I treat them as friends and neighbors I am showing them love, but I know they are sinning.

God/Jesus is the only judge. But there is nothing wrong with recognizing sin as sin and trying to help the sinner see his/her sin and help lead them to repentence.

"you are not suppose to judge me," is a favorite line of the sinner who does not want to be
confronted with their sin.

Barb