What credit is that to you?

                                         What credit is that to you?

A certain man was traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho, on the way he was robbed by thieves and left on the road wounded and half dead. A priest and a Levite pass by the same way but do not show mercy or attend to the needs of the beaten man. A Samaritan who passed by stopped and cleaned his wounds and saddled him on his donkey and put him in an inn. He also promised to pay for all the extra expenses. This parable was narrated by Jesus; we read it in Luke 10 verses 30-35.

We are called "to go the extra mile". Jesus has told us, in Mathew 10:41 “If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.” The Samaritan helped the wounded man without expecting anything in return.

In Old Testament it is said in Exodus 22:25, ““If you lend money to one of my people among you who is needy, do not treat it like a business deal; charge no interest.”

It basically tells us that the Israelites had to lend without interest for the poor countrymen. They also had to cancel their debts in the seventh year, the year of remission. 

             

But Jesus Christ tells us something more, He says "Lend, expecting nothing in return". It's true that if there is anything we like to add to our credit we need to go one step forward. “If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?” Matthew 5:46-47. "

And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. 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. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” Luke 6:33-36

The gist of Jesus' words is that we are to do better than sinners, and even sinners lend without charging interest. There is nothing extraordinary about lending to others without charging interest. That being so, Jesus' command to "lend, expecting nothing in return" means that we should lend, and if our borrowers repay us, great, but if they don't, we should not hold them to it, effectively turning our loans into gifts. And in this way we can demonstrate the virtue of love and mercy.

We need to be merciful! Our God watches even the cup of cold water that is given to the least of our brothers. How much more will He add to your credit the things you have mercifully done. Therefore "Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.”Matthew 5:42.

I want to conclude with the words of our Lord Jesus Christ who promised us saying "Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.” Revelation 22:12 . Let us keep on doing good deeds that will be credited to us by our Heavenly Father in due time.

                                                                                                            -- Dr. Satya Paul