What to do about those who beg

People are in need all around us. This is an issue for all of us, not just those of us who live in Asia.  I can still see the homeless people living under the bridges in Houston.  If I am honest, I sometimes avoid those places in which I may encounter those most in need, encounter those begging.  My lack of compassion is troubling.  Two very challenging posts from John Piper on “Giving to the one who begs from you,” out of Matthew 5:42 do not make me feel any better.

Piper discusses reasons why we would not want to give to beggars: maybe they are being dishonest, use drugs or involved in other sinful behavior; we may not be sure if there is a real need; will we create dependency?

He tests my heart with such radical love. And in my heart I see my selfish, unloving impulses that do not want to part with my money, possessions, time, or convenience for needy or evil people.

Piper points out that He asks us to do this not because of what good may happen in the lives of the people we help but simply because we are sons of our Father in heaven (Mtt 5:45). As Piper says, we show that we are God’s children by “the stunning—some would call foolish—way we show generous kindness toward undeserving evil people—the very kindness we’ve received.”

I am afraid that I too often fail miserably in this call to “radical, gospel generosity.”  Pray for me that I might give freely just as I have freely received. Picture below is from buhaypinoy

Why we need to give now more than ever

Very challenging article out of World Mag on giving or rather the excuses we make for not doing so.  Sure applies to me here where there is so much poverty.   Err on the side of generosity is what one author said in a book I read on giving and mission.  Anyway, here is the latest paragraphs but I hope you can read the entire article.

It’s a foolish idea, but I’m wondering if we can work up the courage to give recklessly this year. Wouldn’t it be something if our response to hard economic times was not to give less but to give more? What would the world think of us if all of us turned off the financial advice shows, imperiled ourselves just a little, and gave so much that every crook and lowlife and spendthrift in town darkened our churches’ doors?

They’d call us fools, most likely. Which is a sign, I think, that we were getting ourselves on a better path. It’s when the world thinks us prudent, or business-like, or—merciful God forbid—normal, that we’d better worry.

The land is filled with need and a growing fear. What will we do in the face of it?

Unshaken by financial uncertainties

In light of the continuing fall in the financial markets, Psalm 16:8 was very encouraging to me last week.  “I know the LORD is always with me.  I will not be shaken for He is right besides me.”

This morning, our pastor, Steve Ruetschle, gave five reasons we should store up treasure in heaven out of Mtt 6:19-24.

1. Treasure on earth is insecure. (obvious of late!)

2. Treasure in heaven is secure.

3. Our treasure is where our heart (hopes, dreams, aspirations) will be.

4. To keep our eyes good (or singularly focused)

5. To make God our master

He only gave one solution to the question of HOW to store up treasure in heaven.  By Giving!  (see Lk 12:32-34 and 1 Tim 6:17-19)

How is that for being counter-cultural–Christians have a committment to give away their money when the financial crises are the most severe!

Giving to others makes you happy!

Last year, a friend of mine was putting together a seminar on “what makes people happy.” I never heard how her project ended up but thanks again to Austin Pryor, I found the following article in which “research” has discovered that people receive more happiness when they spend their money on others than on themselves. And, like exercise, giving to others over a longer period of time, “could make a lasting difference.”

I think they have discovered what the Bible has been teaching us for a long time, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35; Mtt 5:42; 19:21; 25:31ff