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| Re: What has Father revealed to you in this situation??????? | | I believe many come to situations like this and end up regretting afterwards not doing enough. But not doing enough in a circumstance such as this doesn't define a giving heart. When I am presented with an opportunity and feel like I could not do enough, I know that the most anyone can ever do is pray for that person. Their salvation is more important than anything we can give monetarily. If they are saved, then prayer for their provision is also a Godly gesture.
Just the fact that you came here with this situations tells me that you want to do what you can for others, even if your personal safety might restrict it.
I used to get uptight if I couldn't do more or if I removed myself from a situation because my gut was telling me something was amiss. I once let my guard down and put my eight year old daughter and I in a precarious situation. This man kept asking me if I was a Christian and gave me a long story. Before I knew it, I think I was dropping him off at a crack house and probably gave him drug money. He didn't seem like a physical threat but that didn't mean he couldn't have been carrying a gun. I thanked God that we were safe but I got the 3rd degree from her mom and my in-laws, which was expected and warranted. Being an investigator of crimes against children for several years, I should have known better. I say this because these things can work both ways in terms of safety. Trust your gut. Had I missed the opportunity to give in this situation, I would simply pray for them or pray for another opportunity (in your case in a more safe environment). On a quick side note: I can't let it bother me if what I may give is used for something other than what was intended, there's no way to predict those things, our job is to just do good and let God sort out the rest.
God knows if you have a giving heart, it doesn't matter if you had to make a quick decision for personal safety. It wasn't a matter of greed that you didn't give. Don't let it get you down, don't let satan have that foothold. |
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2009/1/27 9:55 | |
wind_blows Member

Joined: 2009/1/4 Posts: 353
| Re: | | Thank you for the good advice given on how to handle these situation. I will be going to the bank to get some cash to have on hand for when this comes up in the future. I will still heed the warnings for when I am alone on how to handle these situations. I do believe God gives us wisdom and I want to discern His heart always in what to do.
I also realize that the best thing for me is to keep my trips out by myself to as few as possible and then it will not be a concern that I am out alone. It was a good reminder for me in an area that I had not taken to heart as much as I should have.
I wanted to also say to NoWhining, that your post was not critical and I was not upset by it at all. You gave me useful advice and I am grateful for that. I will be looking for some tracts to print out and have on hand as well.
Thank you everyone |
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2009/1/27 10:57 | Profile |
HeartSong Member

Joined: 2006/9/13 Posts: 3179
| Re: | | Hi wind_blows,
This morning, during my devotions, the Lord put it upon my heart to tell you to ask Him to show you how He can protect you in all things. |
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2009/1/27 13:32 | Profile |
fuehrerbe21 Member

Joined: 2008/10/21 Posts: 151 Wisconsin
| Re: | | this same feeling happens to me when i drive past someone who is pulled over to the side of the road. by the time i realize i should have pulled over, i am a mile down the road with no place to turn around.
i don't think we should walk around beating ourselves up for what we didn't do, rather we should look to what we can do. it is a learning experience.
i think good words have been spoken concerning this, but know that we will never be able to meet the needs of all who are in need. the most important thing a person should ever recieve is Christ.
i don't think tracts are a bad idea, but to simply give someone a tract and then walk away without talking with them is simply ineffective. i would suggest listening to some sermons from Paul Washer concerning evangelism.
the issue of homelessness and poverty are very difficult to deal with. but don't forget what Jesus said to the disciples after having been annointed with the oil, "She has done a beautiful thing to me. 7For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want, you can do good for them." - Mark 14: 6,7 _________________ Ben Fuehrer
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2009/1/27 13:35 | Profile |
wind_blows Member

Joined: 2009/1/4 Posts: 353
| Re: | | Thank you Heartsong for the word
I realize that Father is showing me that one way I can be protected in the things I do or at least where I go is to take up the offers of those around me to go along with me so that I am not in situations where I am alone and perhaps more vulnerable. This desire of always heading out on my own is a issue of sin in my life, Father does give us one another to help each other and care for one another. I am seeing that I need to repent of having a lone ranger attitude. Thanks again for your reply.
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2009/1/27 13:46 | Profile |
TaylorOtwell Member

Joined: 2006/6/19 Posts: 927 Arkansas
| Re: | | This is a good topic, which has to be approached with Scriptural insight.
For instance, we know that Paul tells the Christians to give what they have "purposed in their heart" to give. It wasn't a matter of "see what the Lord tells you to give", it was a matter of simply giving what you want to give. Of course, if we are regenerate, generosity is one of the fruits of that.
Secondly, Paul states that if someone will not work, they should not eat. That means that on certain occasions it is actually disobeying Scripture to help a beggar. It simply encourages them in their laziness.
I think, if we are being prudent, we should examine the situation using Biblical wisdom and evaluate whether this is a good opportunity minister to the poor, or simply an encouragement for someone to remain in a sinful lifestyle.
With care in Christ, Taylor _________________ Taylor Otwell
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2009/1/27 13:49 | Profile |
fuehrerbe21 Member

Joined: 2008/10/21 Posts: 151 Wisconsin
| Re: | | Quote:
Paul states that if someone will not work, they should not eat. That means that on certain occasions it is actually disobeying Scripture to help a beggar. It simply encourages them in their laziness.
good point. _________________ Ben Fuehrer
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2009/1/27 13:52 | Profile |
Nellie Member

Joined: 2004/4/5 Posts: 952
| Re: | | We are to give to the poor. God will direct us. I know that my heart is toward the poor.It does my heart good to help others. God Bless all. Nellie |
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2009/1/27 15:14 | Profile |
HeartSong Member

Joined: 2006/9/13 Posts: 3179
| Re: | | I have found that the Lord sends me those that He would have me to help. In this, I do not have to worry about whether or not I am helping the "right" people - for if it is right in His eyes, it is right indeed.
One time, I was having lunch with my sister in the city, and as we were leaving the restaurant a disheveled man rode up to us on his bicycle and requested money for his wife. While my sister was annoyed by the inconvenience, due to some things that the Lord had shown me earlier in the day, I had no doubt that the Lord had sent him to me.
After I gave him some money, he began to peddle away but then he stopped and looked back and asked who he should thank for the money. I replied "the Lord." He then nodded his head and said "Ah, the Lord, yes, He provides all things." And then he peddled away. |
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2009/1/27 16:21 | Profile |
NoWhining Member

Joined: 2009/1/16 Posts: 67 East Texas
| Re: | | Thanks for the assurance and kindness, Wind Blows. I was so afraid I'd hurt you.
Fuehrerbe21, once, driving down the freeway in Houston, I passed a car on the side with a flat. Traffic was heavy and I kept going, but a mile or so down the road, I felt so strongly that I should go back. When I pulled up behind the car, an elderly couple got out. Both were too weak to lift the spare, and had been praying for God to send help. They were amazed that God brought me back several miles to answer their prayer.
Another thing concerning Wind Blows' incident. In the future, with this economy, we'll all see more people begging for help. Not the ones we see normally, but those that have never imagined they'd be broke and hungry. We should all prepare for this, brothers and sisters. _________________ Don
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2009/1/27 20:18 | Profile |