wise giving

[montanaviking]

I have been really thinking lately about the idea of giving. Is is responsible to give to foolish people? Does God expect us to support those that are foolish with their own money? Here is a good example. We had someone call and ask us for money because they really needed money. They were broke. So we sent them $50. The next thing we knew is that they spent half of it on a large pizza dinner. Here's another example. Someone called us needing some money for some groceries. So my wife took them shopping and bought some groceries. Then when we talked to them the next time we discovered that the wife has a horse that she spends $200 a month on. Now, we are not wealthy people. We live paycheck to paycheck like everyone else. I don't mind at all giving to those who need it. But it seems that maybe we should be more discerning with our money.

I know that Jesus gave his life for us while we were yet sinners. We did not deserve his gracious gift. However, Jesus' gift is not a blank check. We must repent of our sins in order to receive his gift. The bible is clear that if we continue to sin we are not really in him and have not received his gift of eternal life.

Is there a similar teaching in scripture about giving? What about giving to foolish people? If Jesus words "give to all who ask" are meant exactly that and nothing more, then we should give to EVERYONE who asks including the drug addict (who would buy drugs), alcoholic (who would buy beer), the charity that spends 90% of the money on "administrative" costs etc. What about the person that just refuses to work and support their family. Should we give to them?

Where does good judgement in giving come in? Or is that even relevant?

 

[Tina]

^
God calls us to be good stewards ... and that includes our money ...

Satan is using people like the greedy, selfish, insensitive, irresponsible, drug addicts, alcoholics, smokers, etc ... ... to rob us of what we would otherwise give to church.

I can relate to what you are going through, and while I refuse to support people that took advantage of me and took my generosity for granted .... :naughty .. later I also prayed for them .....


:amen