Give to every man that asks of you; and of him that takes away your goods ask them not again.
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Clement Of Alexandria
AD 215
"Dicunt itaque ex iis quemdam, cum ad host ram virginem vultu formosam accessisset, dixisse: Scriptum est: "Da omni te petenti: ".
But better than this is the saying spoken by the Lord in another place, "Give to every one that asketh thee."
Give to every man that asketh of thee. Not only if lie is in want of the necessaries of life, but if he needs counsel, advice, or aid of any kind, for thus ye will be showing mercy and pity both to the souls and bodies of your fellow men. See S. Matthew 5:42. S. Luke here adds the words "to every Prayer of Manasseh ," which S. Matt. omits, from which we are to understand that we are to give as far us we honestly and rightly can to every one that asketh, but not to one that asketh for anything or everything. For a man may ask us to give him money for a wrongful purpose, or even to commit actual sin. Hence we are only bound to give that which, as far as we know, will neither be hurtful to ourselves or to him that receiveth the gift: and in case we refuse to give, we must justify our refusal, so that he who asks may not go discontented away.
To every one therefore that asketh of thee, give not always that which he asks, but oftentimes that which is better—a denial if the request is one ...
Jesus Christ does not order us never to refuse a petition: but the meaning of his words is, that we are to give what is just and reasonable, what will be neither injurious to yourself nor your family; for what is unjustly asked, may be justly denied. (St. Augustine, lib. x. chap. 40. de serm. Dom. in Monte.)
But in this, the sin we commit is often far from trivial; particularly, when to the refusal of a just request, we add also reprehensions and complaints. For why, say we, does he not labour? why has he reduced himself to penury, through his own indolence?
But, tell me, do you live upon the fruits of your own industry? On the supposition that you do, is it not that you may have some plea to reprehend another for the morsel of bread he begs at your hands? You give him no charitable relief, give him then no contumelious words: if you have no compassion for him yourself, do not prevent others from shewing him commiseration. Abraham, in the number of guests he received, had the honour o...
For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for it? Lay up treasure, therefore, in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt."
This, however, is (the principle) of your good and simply beneficent god-to do a wrong to patience, to open the door to violence, to leave the righteous undefended, and the wicked unrestrained! "Give to every one that asketh of thee".
But they whose office it is, know that baptism is not rashly to be administered. "Give to every one who beggeth thee".
his host, speedily recognized him to be "an appointed vessel of election. "God's approbation sends sure premonitory tokens before it; every "petition ".
trusted with divine! Let them know how to "ask "for salvation, that you may seem (at least) to have given "to him that asketh.".
The law and the apostle-if, notwithstanding, you care even about this-with what face do you request (the solemnizing of) a matrimony which is unlawful to those of whom you request it; of a monogamist bishop, of presbyters and deacons bound by the same solemn engagement, of widows whose Order you have in your own person refused? And they, plainly, will give husba...
For it is our duty to do good to all men, not fondly preferring one or another, whoever they be. For the Lord says: "Give to every one that asketh of thee.".
"And from him that taketh thy goods, require them not again."
