How does it typically hit you when somebody asks to borrow money from you? Does it strike you as funny because you’re like, “Dude, borrow from me? I need to borrow from you,”? Or does it flatter you? “Oh, I’m charmed you think I have money to lend.” Or maybe it angers you, “How dare that person be so brash and rude to ask me for money!”

However it hits you, a request to borrow money from you probably gives you pause. You have to think about it. Can you afford to lend that money? Is that person likely to repay that money? Beloved, never lend any amount of money you can’t stand to lose.

But, what if you are lending money to God? That’s what the book of Proverbs says you are doing when you generously give to the poor. It says in Proverbs 19:17, “Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will repay him for his deed.”

Beloved, when you give money to a poor person who cannot pay you back, the Bible says you are actually lending that money to God. In other words, don’t worry about that poor person paying you back. God will pay you back. He will repay you for your kindness.

Isn’t that such a different way of seeing your giving? Doesn’t that motivate you to bless the poor financially? Instead of being leery of losing your money, you can have confidence in God that your generosity will be returned to you. May your hands and heart and wallet be open to the poor around you in need!

Change begins in you!