11/25/2023
Something to think about:
Matthew 25:35
For as long as I can remember, I have always given abundantly to someone in need, without judgement.
A while back, I was out running errands with a friend, we encounter a person was holding a sign, "Please help. Anything helps."
I immediately start looking for any $$ in my car storage compartments and grab for my wallet. My friend asks me what I am doing? I tell her that I'm looking for some $ to give him. She immediately rolled her eyes and said, "He is just going to go buy drugs or alcohol with it. You're wasting your money. I never give anything to those kind of people."
I didn't say anything to her. I found what $$ I had on me and gave it to the man. (I don't carry much cash, usually.) He thanked me and I went back to my friend to continue on with our day. She shook her head at me and said, "unbelievable".
When we were well out of earshot of the man in need, I decided to address her and her comments about the situation.
I said, "As a proclaimed Christian, I would think you would have a better attitude toward generosity."
She said, "I just don't believe it's right to give money to someone that's not going to do anything good with it. I donate to specific organizations that help others in ways that I'm comfortable with."
I said, "Hmmm. Okay. I understand your concerns. However, when we encounter someone in need, aren't we supposed to help or give without prejudice or judgement? Isn't that what the Bible teaches us?" She looked at me a bit perplexed but didn't say anything.
So, I continued on.
"When you get those bags from the boy scouts to fill up with canned goods, what do you put in them?" She said she goes to her cupboard and pulls out anything that she hasn't used in awhile or just doesn't want.
I said, "Good. However, in accordance with the Bible's teaching, we should give as if we are providing for Jesus. And, if you knew you were giving to Jesus, would you give the bare minimum, the old, unwanted food? Or, would you give him a meal fit for a King?"
She starts to become more uncomfortable with our conversation and says, "It still doesn't change the fact that the homeless guy is going to go buy drugs or something inappropriate with your money."
I smiled and said, "You don't know that. You're making assumptions. And, above all, it's not for me to judge him or what he does with it.
For some reason, I encountered him today. At that time, it then became my responsibility to help in a Christian giving way. God didn't say to give and put myself in a financial predicament. But, he advised to give generously to help one another. So, I gave what I could muster up and gave from my heart, with no expectations. Once the $$ left my hands, it becomes God's responsibility to touch his heart and use it in a positive way for his situation. It's between him and his God what he does with it. If he goes and buys alcohol or drugs, then he must resolve that with God, not me. I'm not on this earth to pass judgement on anyone. I'm here to help and be generous when I'm given an opportunity to do so.
How do you know that the person in need, that you just walked passed wasn't Jesus?
Hence, Mathew 24:35."
She nodded her head and with tears in her eyes, she asked if we could go back to the guy with the sign.
I smiled and said we could.
Something to think about when you're giving this year.
Are you giving in a way that would bring happiness to a King?
