Do Generosity and Requests Coexist in Scripture?
In this article, you will learn how Judges 8:24 contradicts Matthew 5:42, Acts 20:35 and Luke 6:30. Find the translations at the bottom of the page..
In exploring the stories of the Bible, we often encounter different teachings that can sometimes seem to be at odds with one another. One such example is found in the narrative of Gideon in Judges 8:24 and the teachings in the New Testament. In Judges 8:24, Gideon, a leader chosen by God, asks the Israelites to give him gold earrings from their conquered enemies. These earrings were worn by their adversaries and were part of Gideon's plan for something significant, though the Bible doesn't clarify his exact motive here. This request raises an intriguing comparison with the teachings found in the New Testament.
In Matthew 5:42, Jesus advises his followers to give freely to those who ask. This teaching emphasizes a sense of openhandedness and generosity, urging believers to meet the needs of others. Similarly, Acts 20:35 highlights the virtue of giving by declaring that it is "more blessed to give than to receive." Luke 6:30 further reinforces this idea by instructing followers to give to everyone who asks. These teachings collectively encourage the act of giving over receiving, promoting altruism and selflessness.
When we juxtapose these New Testament teachings with Gideon’s request, a thought-provoking contradiction emerges. Gideon's appeal for earrings seems more self-motivated compared to the sacrificial giving encouraged by Jesus and the apostles. An analogy could be drawn to a friend who frequently asks for favors but rarely offers help in return, compared to another friend who gives generously without expecting anything back.
This apparent contradiction raises important questions about the complexity of human intentions and divine teachings. How do we reconcile requests for personal gain with the Biblical call to be generous? Understanding the tension between Gideon's ask and the call for unreserved giving in the New Testament invites believers to reflect on the diverse stories and principles that shape their faith and actions.
| # | Verse | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Judges 8:24 | And Gideon said unto them, I would desire a request of you, that ye would give me every man the earrings of his prey. (For they had golden earrings, because they [were] Ishmaelites.) |
| 2. | Matthew 5:42 | Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. |
| 3. | Acts 20:35 | I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. |
| 4. | Luke 6:30 | Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask [them] not again. |