Lending to the Poor

[Gail]

From reading Deuteronomy 15:7-11:

"Lending to the Poor

7 “If there is a poor person among you, one of your brothers within any of your gates in the land the Lord your God is giving you, you must not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother. 8 Instead, you are to open your hand to him and freely loan him enough for whatever need he has. 9 Be careful that there isn’t this wicked thought in your heart, ‘The seventh year, the year of canceling debts, is near,’ and you are stingy toward your poor brother and give him nothing. He will cry out to the Lord against you, and you will be guilty. 10 Give to him, and don’t have a stingy heart when you give, and because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you do.[c] 11 For there will never cease to be poor people in the land; that is why I am commanding you, ‘You must willingly open your hand to your afflicted and poor brother in your land.’"

What if the person made himself poor through bad living and he doesn't deserve the help? What if he is lazy?

[Lauralea]

The Jews would disfellowship someone who they knew was doing the flagrant outward sins so I assume he would not be considered a brother. They were killed for certain ones. Not sure what to say about the lazy.

[Scuba]

2 Thessalonians 3:10-15 For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. [11] For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. [12] Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread. [13] But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good. [14] And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed. [15] Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.

[LifeHiscost]

2 Thessalonians 3:10-15 For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. [11] For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. [12] Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread. [13] But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good. [14] And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed. [15] Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.

Since post #1 and #3 appear to be contrary to one another, perhaps searching out the context would help establish the Truth of both without bending it.

 

31So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, "If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; 32and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free."...John 8

 

God is Love!  Jesus saves!