Can you imagine being robbed, learning the identity of the thief, and saying to them, “Oh, that’s okay, keep it?” Or walking down a busy sidewalk and giving to every panhandler you meet? Is that really what Jesus was asking of us when he said to his disciples: "Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. Do to others as you would have them do to you."
Whenever I study this passage in a group, I watch people turn themselves into pretzels trying to find the loopholes. “We’d go broke,” “Nowadays many beggars are addicts or con artists,” “I work hard for my stuff.” Is this message even for us, or was it only intended for Jesus’ first disciples, who were sent on mission forays with nothing, told to rely completely on the generosity of others? Are there meant to be some people who beg and others who give, or are we all either or both at different times?
As with most passages of scripture, we do best when we look at this as a whole rather than individual verses. We can start where Jesus ends up: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” known as the Golden Rule. If we were truly guided by this principle, all our interactions would flow better, from living with other people to co-existing with global neighbors. If you like to find the kitchen counters clean when you come to them, clean them for the next person. If you would like your citizens to thrive, help your neighbors’ citizens to thrive.
But do we have to let people steal from us? Perhaps Jesus is saying, “If you want people to accord you dignity and ultimate value as a human being, you need to extend that same regard to people who harm or steal from you” – which might mean valuing the person who stole more than the goods stolen. That’s a challenging thought – though it aligns with the Episcopal baptismal promise to “Respect the dignity of every human being.” And if we offer our plenty, it’s not being stolen. If we make a loan without expecting a return, we extend freedom both to ourselves and to our debtors.
It depends what angle you’re looking from. In cosmic terms, we come into this life with nothing. Everything we have is given to us by our loving God, even what we earn as a result of abilities or assets we’re born with. Should we hold quite so tightly to the fruits of God’s initial investment in us?
Who do you feel has taken something from you? What would help you release that obligation now, treating them as you would hope someone would treat you? Make it specific.
I am no better at living into this teaching of Jesus than most. I can start by identifying other people with myself. “Do unto others as you would have them do to you” sets up a comparison and a connection. And when we see ourselves as connected to other people, and they to us – by common humanity if nothing else – giving to them, even not quite voluntarily – isn’t such a stretch.
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