Spiritual Meaning of Borrow, Lend

Spiritual Meaning of

Borrow, Lend

When "borrowing" and "lending" are mentioned in the Word, there is signified to be instructed and to instruct from the affection of charity; as in Matthew:--

Give to everyone that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away (Matt. 5:42);

it is evident that "asking" here does not mean asking, for it is said, "give to everyone that asketh;" and that neither by "borrowing" is meant borrowing; for if a person were to give to everyone that asketh, and also to everyone that would borrow, he would be stripped of all his goods. But as the Lord spoke from the Divine, by "asking," and "wishing to borrow;" and by giving and receiving a loan, is meant the communication of heavenly goods, which are those of the knowledges of good and truth; for in regard to such a communication the fact is that the more an angel gives to another from the affection of charity, the more there flows in with him of the general good from heaven, that is, from the Lord (AC 6478). Thus by " giving to him that asketh," an angel is not deprived of goods, but is enriched with them. The case is the same with a man, when he does good to another from the affection of charity; but charity consists in giving to the good, and it is not charity to give to the evil what they ask and desire (AC 8120); according to these words in David:--

The wicked borroweth, and restoreth not; but the righteous showeth mercy and giveth (Ps. 37:21).

And in Luke:--

If ye lend to them from whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? Rather love your enemies, and do good, and lend, hope for nothing again; then shall your reward be great, and ye shall be the sons of the Highest (Luke 6:34, 35);

[4] here also by "lending" is meant doing good from the affection of charity, and thus communicating the goods of heaven; and also the goods of the world, but the latter for the sake of the former as the end in view. The affection of charity consists in communicating goods without any recompense as the end in view; but there is no affection of charity in communicating goods for the sake of recompense as the end in view (AC 2373, 2400, 3816, 3956, 4943, 6388-6390, 6392, 6393, 6478, 8002). The affection of charity consists in loving one's enemies, and in benefiting the evil; but enemies are loved and are benefited when they are instructed, and also when they are corrected by suitable means (AC 8121).

[5] The exercise of charity is also signified by "lending," in Moses:--

If thou shalt obey the voice of Jehovah, and shalt observe to do His commandments, thou shalt lend to many peoples, but thou shalt not borrow (Deut. 28:1, 12);

"to lend to many peoples" denotes to abound in the goods of intelligence and wisdom, and to communicate them to others out of this abundance; and not to be in need of the goods of others, because all things are given him by the Lord. So in David:--

A good man who hath mercy and lendeth, will maintain his words in judgment; for he will never be moved (Ps. 112:5, 6);

by "having mercy and lending" is described the state of those who are in genuine charity. In like manner, (Psalms 37:21); and other passages.

from AC 9174

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Author: E. Swedenborg (1688-1772).

Design: I.J. Thompson, Feb 2002.