p. 171 | Borrowing and Lending by Adolphus Smith

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 14, 1871

Borrowing and Lending.

By Adolphus Smith

I HAVE frequently discovered considerable evil growing out of the habit of borrowing.

A contemplation of the subject has led me to examine, on this point, the only recognized authority for Christian usages,—the Bible.

The first instance noted, is that of Ex. 12:35: “And the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment.” On this point Josephus remarks: “They also honored the Hebrews with gifts, some in order to get them to depart quickly, and others on account of their neighborhood and the friendship they had with them.”

In a note appended, it is declared, that the Hebrew word rendered “borrowed,” in our translation, is falsely so done. God required gifts at the hands of the Egyptians for services long rendered them by the Hebrews in bondage. See Gen. 15:14; Ex. 3:22; 11:2; Ps. 105:37.

The subject of borrowing is again brought to view in Ex. 22:14.

“And if a man borrow ought of his neighbor, and it be hurt, or die, the owner thereof being not with it, he shall surely make it good.”

Here borrowing is introduced as a contingent circumstance, to the abuse of which, is appended the emphatic “he shall surely make it good.”

The next instance of borrowing is noted in 2 Kings, 6:5: “But as one was felling a beam, the axe head fell into the water; and he cried and said, ‘Alas! master, for it was borrowed.’ Probably no miracle would have been wrought to recover the axe, had it not been a borrowed one. The obligation to carefully use and properly return borrowed articles, seems to have been a sacred one among the Israelites. Should God’s people be less particular now? Has God changed? Does he now approbate what he once condemned? Many professed Christians get all the good they can out of a borrowed article, and then return it in an injured state expressing sorrow that the casualty should have occurred, and promising reparation “As soon as I go to town,” or, “As soon as I get some money,” &c., and, in violation of God’s command, forgetting ever after to fulfill their promise. But the lender does not forget, ever looking with discredit upon the borrower’s professions of religious principles.

“The wicked borroweth and payeth not again.” Here, borrowing without making restitution, is spoken of as a sin. Contravening this principle, the last clause of the text brings to view the legitimate consequent of a godly life;—“but the righteous showeth mercy and giveth.” Ps. 37:21. In Ps. 112, following the same train of thought, we read in the fifth verse, “A good man showeth favor and lendeth.”

That it is right to borrow under certain circumstances is admissible; but to abuse this right, is a sin. Borrowing, to save ourselves expense, or because we are too negligent to provide for our own wants, is all wrong. On the other hand, when borrowing becomes proper, to fail in making the just returns for consumable articles, amplitude in weight and measure, and for others, compensation for damages, and a cheerful reciprocation of the favor, is also wrong.

The subject of lending is so intimately connected with the one under consideration, that it cannot, in this connection, be passed over without a brief notice. The duty of lending was explicitly taught by our Saviour. The example of our Heavenly Father, in sending his rain, and sunlight, freely upon all, was quoted as an example of liberality, which we are commanded, in our degree, to imitate. “Do good and lend,” said Jesus, “and your reward shall be great.” And again, “Him that would borrow of thee, turn not thou away.”

Christian reader, not for that which you have lent and received a full equivalent in return, nor for that you have lent or given grudgingly, will you receive a great reward at the resurrection of the just; but for what you have lent, or given cheerfully, “hoping for nothing again.” If you have not received the value of your loan in some tangible earthly good, you have, perhaps, enjoyed the satisfaction of being highly esteemed by man for your generosity. If so, you have in this accepted, at least, a partial payment of your loan.

“He that giveth to the poor, lendeth to the Lord.” How large a stock have you taken here?

“The Lord loveth a cheerful giver.” Does he love one who gives grudgingly, or because others do, and he is ashamed not to? Manifestly not.

If a King, or governor, or any great man of earth, were, by chance, for the time in need, and should call at your humble dwelling, you would accommodate him with the best you had. But many lend to the Lord as if they did not expect him to pay them again.

For what will many receive reward at the resurrection, in the presence of angels and redeemed men? It may be for an old slouched hat, a ragged, dirty coat, an untidy dress, or a pestilential, service-ventilated, pair of shoes.

A Bible Christian will be slow to borrow, apt to lend, accommodating, cheerfully benificent, courteous; and at the resurrection receive the welcome plaudit from his Saviour, “Well done, good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.”

ADOLPHUS SMITH.