Last week I blogged on the topic of “My Family, or the Poor?” The blog was based upon a devotional by my dear friend, Al Weir, MD, an oncologist in Memphis and a former staff member of the Christian Medical and Dental Association.
Now Al is meddling with me once again by delving into the controversial topic of “Who should I give money to? Anyone who asks?” (this is my title, not his).
And, once again, Al is challenging my thoughts and my actions. See what you think about his ideas on “Indiscriminate Giving”:
Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. Matt 5:42
He stopped me in the parking garage as I was rushing to my car from an early morning medical conference. His name was James and he stuttered so badly that it took 30 seconds to force out each sentence. He was polite and apologetic and smelled of the street.
Eventually he asked for the ten dollars he needed to spend the night in a Christian mission. After I gave him the money, he hugged me against his sweat and told me to wash my hands since I had touched the dirt of his skin.
This idea of giving is profound.
Sometimes it seems as simple as reaching into your wallet and handing a ten to a guy on the street. But even then it’s profound.
While deciding to reach for our wallets, a host of conflicting thoughts swim through our brains, like,
Giving always involves uncertainty.
Giving always comes with the risk that we may lose our money to an unworthy cause or that the recipient may use it for personal harm.
Jesus understood all of this complex thinking and made it simple, “Give to the one who asks you.”
Some may say, “I’m sure He was not talking to me.”
Maybe not. But, He was talking to Kingdom people — those who choose to follow Him with reckless abandon.
Ask yourself:
Dear Father, help me to trust You with all You have placed in my hands. Help me to let go when You ask for it. Amen
Al, I type this blog with mist in my eyes and conviction on my heart. Thanks for being a conduit of God’s word from His heart to min.
BTW, you can read and print Al’s weekly devotions online by visiting here.
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Walt, I had a mentor years ago who talked with me about this issue. Almost every time he was asked for money he gave it, realizing that whatever was done with the money was between the other person and God. He also gave it with the words “I give this to you in the name of Jesus.” It struck me as an awkward way of phrasing it, but it does reflect the spirit of Colossians 3:17, “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” It also made me consider the object of the recipient’s gratitude: Am I leading this person to view me as generous and righteous, or am I pointing him to the love and grace of God?
Thanks for sharing this devotion. God bless you Walt!
Dave, thanks for the good word and encouragement. It’s been a challenging subject for me … but overdue. I appreciate you.