Topical Bible: Enemies: The Goods of, to be Taken Care of

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In the biblical context, the treatment of an enemy's goods is addressed with a focus on righteousness, compassion, and adherence to God's commandments. The Scriptures provide guidance on how one should act towards the possessions of those considered adversaries, emphasizing a moral obligation to act justly and mercifully.

Old Testament Guidance

The Old Testament lays a foundation for the ethical treatment of an enemy's property. In Exodus 23:4-5, the law instructs the Israelites on their responsibilities: "If you encounter your enemy’s stray ox or donkey, you must return it to him. If you see the donkey of someone who hates you fallen under its load, do not leave it there; you must help him with it." . This directive underscores the principle of returning lost property and assisting in times of need, regardless of personal animosity.

The book of Proverbs further reinforces this ethic. Proverbs 25:21-22 states, "If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you." . This passage suggests that acts of kindness towards an enemy can lead to a change of heart and are pleasing to God.

New Testament Teachings

The New Testament continues this theme, with Jesus Christ expanding on the Old Testament teachings. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus instructs His followers to love their enemies and pray for those who persecute them (Matthew 5:44). This radical call to love extends to how one should treat an enemy's possessions, promoting a spirit of generosity and forgiveness.

Romans 12:20 echoes the wisdom of Proverbs, urging believers to care for their enemies: "On the contrary, 'If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head.'" . The Apostle Paul emphasizes that such actions are not only a testament to one's faith but also a means to overcome evil with good.

Moral and Ethical Implications

The biblical mandate to care for an enemy's goods challenges believers to rise above personal grievances and embody the love and mercy of God. It calls for a countercultural response that prioritizes reconciliation and peace over retaliation. By taking care of an enemy's possessions, believers demonstrate a commitment to God's justice and compassion, reflecting the transformative power of the Gospel in their lives.

This approach to an enemy's goods is not merely about the physical act of returning or caring for property but is deeply rooted in the spiritual discipline of loving one's neighbor as oneself, as commanded in Leviticus 19:18 and reiterated by Jesus in Matthew 22:39. It is an expression of the believer's trust in God's sovereignty and justice, leaving room for divine intervention in the hearts of both the giver and the recipient.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Exodus 23:4,5
If you meet your enemy's ox or his ass going astray, you shall surely bring it back to him again.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

In Troubles --
... a man's ways please the Lord, He maketh even his enemies to be ... next thing was a public
edict, that all the goods of the bishop were to be taken care of by ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/marson/hugh bishop of lincoln/chapter vi in troubles.htm

The Lord Our Dwelling Place
... and your goods, but your body and your goods are not ... tomorrow be exposed to the
buffetings of our enemies outside ... and then wonder why they are not taken care of ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/smith/the god of all comfort/chapter 8 the lord our.htm

Letter xv. To Turribius, Bishop of Asturia , Upon the Errors of ...
... Whence it is fitting that these enemies of Christ's ... she has no desire for temporal
goods: nor does she ... Therefore care must be taken, and the priestly diligence ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/letter xv to turribius bishop.htm

How Joshua, the Commander of the Hebrews, Made War with The
... everything in the city, and did not take them for enemies; but at ... should perceive
that the city was about to be taken, she should put her goods, and all ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 1 how joshua the.htm

After Eutropius Having Been Found Outside the Church had Been ...
... who wills hate me: for the plots of enemies are the ... on this very night thy soul is
being taken from thee ... riches, and love thy life"cast away thy goods; I do ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily ii after eutropius having.htm

Book 1.
... of exporting and importing their several goods; as they ... them in battle, and slew
his enemies, and drove ... the same calamity, he should have taken care of such ...
//christianbookshelf.org/josephus/against apion/book 1.htm

Of Civil Government.
... allow their body to be mutilated, and their goods to be maliciously taken from them ...
not prevent them, with entire friendship for their enemies, from using ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 20 of civil government.htm

First Part of the Book.
... unto the ground from whence thou wast taken; because from ... His Lord assailed and
evil-wounded by His enemies. ... of grace, GOD promised only earthly goods, if they ...
/.../the form of perfect living and other prose treatises/first part of the book.htm

Book ii.
... water, and full of sand, to overcome their enemies, and, during ... Our law hath also
taken care of the decent burial of the ... No one is to touch another's goods. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/josephus/against apion/book ii.htm

How the Amalekites and the Neighbouring Nations, Made War with the ...
... their hands on our cities and our goods: that those ... advantages, which they obtained
of their enemies by their ... this battle: for when they had taken the enemy's ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 2 how the amalekites.htm