The original poster says, "The Bible instructs over and over again to remember the poor, and to not turn away those in need." But then continues with, "Should we freely give out cash to the random beggar on the street? ... I feel it would be better to give to someone you personally know and trust."
Josh: Question, poster. How many random beggars do you know and trust?
Poster: Umm, well, none actually.
Josh: So, you mean to say you don't give money to the less fortunate?
Poster: No, I do. A lot.
Josh: No doubt ... but only the less fortunate, trusted friends?
Poster: —
Josh: Oh.
I have to say I disagree with a certain thought process here, but it's only because I don't think Jesus did this while on Earth or that God does this with us. I don’t think “choosy giving” is what God had in mind, even though that is what most of us have been taught (usually for reasons of safety).
Let’s sum it up like this: God never told us to only give to certain people. He never said to only give if we believe they will do “right” with it or use it to our liking and approval. He said to give just like He gives. Not only ten percent, but more; not only your coat, but every article of clothing you can spare; not only _________, but also ________.
If I give only to those who fit my requirements, I’ve missed the point of Him asking me to give. It’s about my heart and my willingness to follow Him even when it doesn’t add up in my mind or even if they do something completely evil with it; it’s not about their subsequent actions. It’s about me.
And here's why: you can never dictate the free will of others … and thank goodness. You're not responsible for what they do with what you give them, you're responsible to be merciful to those who need mercy, to give to those in need—all those in need—and to love without exception precisely because that is exactly what He does, daily, with you.
He loves you without dictating your free will. He gives mercy to you without dictating your subsequent response. He provides for you (financially, spiritually, on and on and on) without forcing a "correct response" from you. Being like Him means giving to the uttermost, not giving when your criteria is met.
I will now approach some immediate arguments that come to mind.
1). "Well, that's just stupid. Why would you throw money away like that?" I don't know. Why did God just throw away Eden to those idiots? If He would have waited and let more people enjoy it first, it would have been put to better use. What's the point of making the most beautiful place in existence just to see it go down the drain almost immediately? More people enjoying it would have been a better plan in my book. Oh ... that free will thing. Nevermind.
2). "But because of Eden, because we messed it up so bad, God had to send His Son to make up for our mistakes." Yes and no. Jesus was slain before they sinned. And, in fact, the most extreme gift (Jesus) is still the most un-received by humanity. It's that free will thing again. When has the Father ever withheld His Son from someone?
3). "When we come to Jesus He still has expectations though." Yes, but they are not contingent on anything; the Father has already given the Son, regardless of our response.
4). "Throwing money at scam artists is a really bad business move." Of course it is, but I'm not talking about a start-up company. I'm talking about an attitude of the heart. Proverbs takes care of the wise and unwise business scenarios, but this does not fall into that category. This is not a "sow and reap" scenario as in the business world; those scenarios demand shrewdness and wisdom.
5). "But he's just going to get some beer or crack and I don't want to support his habit." Agreed, I don't either, but the scenario is rarely that simple. He may or he may not. But this is not about what he does with it, it's about your heart. Will you give because, and only because, God asks you to ... regardless of the outcome? Why does he have to swear to use it the right way before you do what God asks of you?
6). "There's government programs for that." Alternative solutions do not absolve the believer from doing what is right and good.
7). "Well, I'll certainly pray about it and see if I feel lead to do it." Since when did "doing what is right" mean that you had to have an open heaven vision or feel lead of the Lord?
8) "In 2 Thessalonians 3:10, the Bible says, 'If a man will not work, he shall not eat.'” You're right, it does. However, while it does have its merits in normal society, the verse you quoted is Paul speaking directly to other Christians taking advantage of the religious system, not to random beggars. So that’s a half thumbs-up on that one because, really, we’re supposed to provide for the orphaned, widowed, foreigner and oppressed among us. And God puts no qualifiers on why they are oppressed/less fortunate.
We take what God offers us daily (most of it we don't actually realize is coming from Him), and we rarely use it to the absolute full capacity of "what He intends". Should He stop giving because we make the wrong choice?
My point: where did we get the idea that our giving should only happen when we either “feel lead to give” or when the individual gives us a guarantee that it will be used “correctly”? Yeah, um, let’s not even get into whether they would lie or not.
Or seen from the angle of the other Beatitudes, are we supposed to pray only when we feel lead to pray or when we can get a guarantee that our prayers will have the outcome that we intended? Or, rather, could God’s primary point for prayer have mostly to do with our heart and with us partnering with who He is?
Are we supposed to fast only when we feel lead to fast or when we can get a guarantee that our fasting will have the outcome that we intended? Or, rather, could God’s primary point for fasting have mostly to do with our heart and with us partnering with who He is?
Are we supposed to only bless and forgive others (including our enemies) when we can get a guarantee that our blessing and forgiving will have the outcome that we intended? Or, rather, could God’s primary point for blessing and forgiving have mostly to do with our heart and with us partnering with who He is?
Are we supposed to only serve (including our enemies) when we can get a guarantee that our service and sacrifice will have the outcome (usually that means public applause) that we hoped would come our way? Or, rather, could God’s primary point for serving and sacrificing have mostly to do with our heart and with us partnering with who He is?
Whether we receive Him or not, Jesus has already been given by the Father to mankind. He is not waiting to give Jesus until we either do or promise to do something first; Jesus has already been given and He has no guarantee that every human will accept Him. It is not contingent upon us, and thankfully so because we still mess it up even after the fact. Does God give only when He either “feels lead to give” or when the individual gives Him a guarantee that it will be used “correctly”?
And let’s not even get into whether we would lie or not.
1 comment:
Amen, Brother...well said!!
Elisabeth
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