“Listen, you rich men, to the kind of advice
I am giving to the poor because of your inhumanity. Far better
endure under their dire straits than undergo the troubles that are bred
of usury! But if you were obedient to the Lord, what need of
these words? What is the advice of the Master? Lend to
those from whom ye do not hope to receive. cf.
Luke vi. 34,
35.
And what kind of loan is this, it is asked, from all which all idea of
the expectation of repayment is withdrawn? Consider the force of
the expression, and you will be amazed at the loving kindness of the
legislator. When you mean to supply the need of a poor man for
the Lord’s sake, the transaction is at once a gift and a
loan. Because there is no expectation of reimbursement, it is a
gift. Yet because of the munificence of the Master, Who repays on
the recipient’s behalf, it is a loan. ‘He that hath
pity on the poor lendeth unto the Lord.’ Prov. xix. 17. Do you not wish the Master of the
universe to be responsible for your repayment? If any wealthy
man in the town promises you repayment on behalf of others, do you
admit his suretyship? But you do not accept God, Who more than
repays on behalf of the poor. Give the money lying useless,
without weighting it with increase, and both shall be
benefited. To you will accrue the security of its safe
keeping. The recipients will have the advantage of its
use. And if it is increase which you seek,
be satisfied with that which
is given by the Lord. He will pay the interest for the
poor. Await the loving-kindness of Him Who is in truth most
kind.