Luke 6:34 – “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.”
Extended Explanation of the Verse
In this verse, Jesus continues His teaching on radical generosity and love by addressing the practice of lending. He challenges His followers to give without expecting anything in return. Lending with the expectation of repayment is common and reflects a transactional approach to relationships, but Jesus calls His disciples to go beyond that. The kind of love and generosity Jesus describes is selfless, reflecting God’s grace, which is given freely and not based on merit.
The phrase “what credit is that to you?” implies that simply lending to those who can repay you offers no spiritual benefit. Even people outside of the faith do this because it’s mutually beneficial. But true Christian generosity involves lending or giving to those who may not be able to repay, trusting God to be the ultimate provider.
Jesus’ point is that believers should live differently from the world. Their kindness and generosity should reflect God’s nature, not worldly standards of fairness or reciprocity.
Historical Context
In the first-century Jewish world, lending money or resources was a common practice, but it often came with strings attached. Jewish law forbade charging interest when lending to fellow Israelites (Exodus 22:25), but this didn’t stop people from expecting repayment or favors in return. Lending was often transactional, meant to benefit both parties. Wealthy lenders had social and financial power over borrowers, and failure to repay debts could result in severe consequences, including loss of property or imprisonment.
Jesus challenges this cultural norm by teaching that His followers should lend without expecting repayment. This teaching wasn’t just about finances—it was about cultivating a heart of generosity and trust in God’s provision. His audience would have found this teaching radical because it undermined the social system that prioritized personal gain and financial security.
Theological Implications
This verse highlights the concept of grace, which is central to the Christian faith. Grace is unearned favor, and Jesus calls His followers to reflect this by showing generosity without expecting anything in return. Just as God gives freely to His people, believers are to give freely to others.
Theologically, this verse also speaks to the nature of true discipleship. Following Jesus means living by a different standard—one that prioritizes love, mercy, and trust in God over worldly concerns. By lending without expecting repayment, believers demonstrate their reliance on God as their ultimate provider, rather than on their financial security or human reciprocity.
Additionally, this teaching is tied to the concept of eternal reward. Jesus is not saying that believers won’t face practical challenges when they give generously, but He assures them that their reward will come from God, not from human repayment. This reflects the broader biblical principle that eternal treasures are more valuable than earthly gain (Matthew 6:19-20).
Literary Analysis
This verse uses rhetorical structure similar to the previous verses (Luke 6:32-33), asking a question that challenges the audience’s assumptions about what it means to do good. The repetition of the phrase “what credit is that to you?” emphasizes that actions motivated by self-interest or expected reward do not reflect the higher standard of God’s kingdom.
The contrast between “sinners” and Jesus’ followers highlights the difference between worldly behavior and Christian behavior. While sinners lend with the expectation of getting something back, Jesus’ followers are called to lend with no strings attached, trusting God to reward their faithfulness.
The term “repayment” is central to the verse because it represents the transactional nature of worldly relationships. Jesus is teaching that relationships in God’s kingdom should be characterized by grace and generosity, not by transactions or conditions.
Biblical Cross-References
- Proverbs 19:17 – “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done.”
- Matthew 5:42 – “Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.”
- Luke 6:35 – “But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back.”
- Deuteronomy 15:7-8 – A command to be generous and openhanded toward the poor.
- 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 – “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.”
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For Christians today, this verse is a call to practice radical generosity. In a world that often values self-interest and financial gain, believers are challenged to live by a different standard. This doesn’t mean they should give recklessly or irresponsibly, but it does mean they should have an open heart and be willing to help others, even when there’s no guarantee of repayment.
This verse also encourages believers to examine their motives for giving. Are they helping others because they expect something in return, or are they giving out of love and obedience to God? True Christian generosity comes from a heart that trusts God to provide for their needs.
Additionally, this verse reminds Christians that their reward is from God, not from people. Even when others fail to repay them or show gratitude, they can trust that God sees their faithfulness and will reward them in His time.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
God’s love is the foundation of this teaching. God gives freely to humanity, not because people deserve it, but because He is loving and merciful. His blessings—both physical and spiritual—are often given without repayment or acknowledgment. Just as God provides rain for the just and the unjust (Matthew 5:45), He calls His people to show generosity without conditions.
God’s love is also seen in His promise to reward those who give selflessly. He is a faithful provider, and believers can trust that when they give generously, He will take care of their needs. This reflects God’s nature as a loving Father who desires His children to imitate His character.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
Jesus Himself is the perfect example of giving without expecting anything in return. Throughout His ministry, He healed the sick, fed the hungry, and forgave sins without demanding payment or recognition. His ultimate act of generosity was giving His life on the cross for the salvation of humanity—a gift that could never be repaid.
Jesus’ teaching on lending without expecting repayment reflects the grace He demonstrated through His sacrifice. By following His example, believers can show the same selfless love and generosity that He modeled.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- Are there times when you’ve helped someone while expecting something in return? How can you shift your perspective to give selflessly?
- How does trusting God as your provider change the way you think about generosity?
- What practical steps can you take to lend or give without expecting repayment or recognition?
- How can Jesus’ example of selfless giving inspire you to be more generous with your time, resources, and love?
- What does this verse teach you about eternal rewards compared to temporary benefits?