For the Lord your God will bless you just as He promised you; you shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow; you shall reign over many nations, but they shall not reign over you. (Deuteronomy 15:6)
As with most promises given to us as God’s people, there is very often an “if” to consider. That “if” is most often, “If you will obey.” Why does He not just bless us without putting any kind of condition upon it? Because He knows — and we do as well — that if He didn’t prompt us to obey we wouldn’t do it. God’s people have consistently demonstrated a tendency to enjoy the blessing and then, over time, forget the Blesser. However, for those who do obey, there are indeed many benefits and, according to this verse, one of those is to be a lender and not a borrower.
To those who have abundance and use it for Godly purposes will be given more abundance — that is the inference here. In other words, obedience generates blessing to such a degree that the obedient will never have to borrow but will be in position to help others in need. I know that everyone reading this would love to be that person and, we should all realize that this promise is still available. The question is, are we willing to trust Him with everything He blesses us with? Frankly, too many people think they can’t afford to give to others, and by taking this position, deny God’s ability to provide for them — i.e. they don’t trust Him.
So then, what are we to make of the person or the nation who borrows from everyone and lends to nobody? It suggests that the person or nation is one who has hardened their heart toward the Word of God. Moreover, it can be indicative of a heart that is indifferent to the needy and helpless. If that be so, they are in a very dangerous place where their Creator is concerned. As followers of Messiah we are to be the very opposite of this type of person. We are children of the light and, therefore, we are to have a “good eye,” which is a Hebrew idiom for being generous. Thus Messiah, speaking of a generous and beneficent heart said, “The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light” (Matthew 6:22). May it be that we are all full of light, quick to give and slow to take.
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
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