And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.
This verse comes from a major teaching by Jesus known as the Sermon on the Plain in the Gospel of Luke — a collection of teachings in which Jesus consistently challenges the transactional logic governing most human relationships. Jesus has been talking about loving enemies and doing good to those who treat you badly, raising the standard far beyond what his listeners expected. Here he makes a pointed observation about lending: giving to someone who will pay you back is not generosity — it is self-interest that any reasonable person practices, regardless of their beliefs or values. The word translated as 'credit' comes from the Greek word charis, which elsewhere in the New Testament is translated as 'grace.' Jesus is essentially asking: where is the grace in an exchange that benefits you equally?
Jesus, I give more easily when I expect something in return, and I know it. Loosen my grip on the quiet ledger I keep. Teach me what it actually feels like to give freely — without tracking, without expectation — just because you gave first and kept no record of what I owed. Amen.
Jesus has a way of holding up a mirror to things we have quietly congratulated ourselves for. We help the friend who helped us last month. We donate to the cause that reflects well on us. We lend to the colleague we expect will return the favor — and then we feel generous. Jesus looks at all of that and says, without cruelty but without softening it either: that is just accounting. Even people with no faith in anything do exactly the same thing. The harder invitation here is not guilt — it is freedom. Because the ledger is exhausting. Mentally tracking who owes you what, whose gratitude fell short, who never said thank you — that is a full-time job that slowly turns generosity into a transaction and erodes something in you. Is there someone you have been 'generous' toward while quietly keeping a tab? Jesus is not asking you to be naive or to let people exploit you. He is asking whether you can give something — time, money, help, attention — without needing it to return, and what your life might actually feel like if you tried.
Jesus points out that even people with no religious convictions lend to those who will repay them. What does that tell you about the actual standard he is calling his followers to — and how far does that feel from your daily reality?
Think about your most recent acts of generosity — giving time, money, help, or attention. How honest can you be with yourself about the motivations underneath them?
This is a genuinely hard teaching. Do you think Jesus is describing something achievable in ordinary life, or an ideal we aim for and regularly fall short of — and does that distinction matter to how you engage with it?
How does transactional generosity — giving in order to receive something back, even just gratitude or goodwill — affect the quality of your closest relationships over time?
Who in your life might benefit from genuine generosity from you with no strings attached, and what is the honest reason you have not offered it yet?
For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land.
Deuteronomy 15:11
And this is the manner of the release: Every creditor that lendeth ought unto his neighbour shall release it; he shall not exact it of his neighbour, or of his brother; because it is called the LORD'S release.
Deuteronomy 15:2
But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
Luke 6:35
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
Matthew 5:44
Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
Matthew 5:42
But thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth.
Deuteronomy 15:8
And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.
Luke 14:14
If you lend [money] to those from whom you expect to receive [it back], what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners expecting to receive back the same amount.
AMP
And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount.
ESV
'If you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is [that] to you? Even sinners lend to sinners in order to receive back the same [amount].
NASB
And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ lend to ‘sinners,’ expecting to be repaid in full.
NIV
And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back.
NKJV
And if you lend money only to those who can repay you, why should you get credit? Even sinners will lend to other sinners for a full return.
NLT
If you only give for what you hope to get out of it, do you think that's charity? The stingiest of pawnbrokers does that.
MSG