Give to everyone who asks
Scripture references
Matthew 5:42 (ASV)
42Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
Luke 6:30 (ASV)
30Give to every one that asketh thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.
Acts 20:35 (ASV)
35In all things I gave you an example, that so laboring ye ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he himself said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
2 Corinthians 8:1–2 (ASV)
Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God which hath been given in the churches of Macedonia; 2how that in much proof of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.
1 John 3:17 (ASV)
17But whoso hath the world’s goods, and beholdeth his brother in need, and shutteth up his compassion from him, how doth the love of God abide in him?
Stories
Rosalind Goforth was hesitant to share the only medicine they had on hand for dysentery, but when she realized that the need was a life-or-death situation, she quickly gave it. Little did she realize how God would use this person in the future, and that her showing love in obedience to 1 John 3:17 had saved his life.
A nobleman—now a wreck in piteous condition—had been banished and imprisoned in Siberia for some crime. When the poor man asked for help, Dr. Baedeker gave him money and clothes, which caused the grateful man to burst into a flood of tears.
Hudson Taylor was asked to pray for a sick woman. He found the woman and her family to be in a truly wretched condition, and in great need. Yet all Taylor had was his very last half-crown piece. He tried to pray but could not while that coin remained in his pocket. When the husband finally asked for his help, the scripture, “Give to him that asketh of thee” flashed across his mind. Taylor obeyed, saving the woman's life and conquering self as a result.
Henry Richards was challenged to obey Luke 6:30 and give to "every one that asketh thee." After much prayer and deliberation, he took Jesus at His word and experienced an unexpected result.
When Henry Richards—who was working among the poor and beggarly people of the Congo—came across Luke 6:37 which said to "give to the one who asks", he struggled to accept that it was to be taken literally. But after becoming convinced, he went on to not only preach, but to practice this command too and the impact this had in the life of the people was amazing.
A poor lady was down to the end of her funds when a friend came to her in distress. In obedience to the scriptures, she gave to her friend. The next day, when she really needed what she had already given away, the Lord provided.
