A Begger or a Taker
It seems that, in the bigger cities, on almost every corner you see somebody standing wanting money, work to do or a food to eat. Most people who see them just drive on by or sometimes If you catch a red light and have to stop at the corner you try to look away to avoid eye contact with the poor looking person standing with a sign on the curb.
In this situation you maybe you think, What can I do for God Today to help but I'm not sure if I should help that person or not.
There are so many people asking for a buck or work that we have become desensitized and hardly even see them standing there anymore. When we see them look right at us hoping we’ll roll down our window to hand out some cash we wonder, do they really need it or is it a scam to get money for drugs or alcohol?
Too many People Have no Shame
I’m not sure what has happened to the sense of pride or loss of shame in people. It used to be that even when you really needed help we didn’t ask and certainly did not beg. Now days some prefer to beg over working for a living and a lot of those are not as poor as you might think. You really don't know.
They have learned that on a good day, standing in the right place, wearing the right clothes and holding the right sign they can make much more money by begging, than if they worked an 8 or even 12 hour day. Unfortunately I believe those people are hurting others who really need our help since we avoid them all.
There have always been Beggars and Takers
Even back in Jesus time there were those who begged. For some it was their only means of support and for others I expect begging was a business as it is today. If we look in the scriptures though I can’t find any account where Jesus avoided the beggars he encountered. In fact even when they were far through the crowd on some occasions he said “bring them to me”.
Luke 18:35-43 A blind beggar was sitting beside the road…. They told him that Jesus the Nazarene was going by. So he began shouting, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
“Be quiet!” the people in front yelled at him. But he only shouted louder,…
When Jesus heard him, he stopped and ordered that the man be brought to him… Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” “Lord,” he said, “I want to see!”
And Jesus said, “All right, receive your sight! Your faith has healed you.” Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus, praising God. And all who saw it praised God, too.
People are hurting everywhere in the world. We would like to help those who are truly in need but don't because some of the people we see are fakes. Instead of helping we'll avoid giving to anyone. By doing this we could very well end up hurting those who God may be directing us toward.
God may be sending You
There are many accounts of people when in need who call for God’s help and have met others who had just what they needed. Some say this coincidence, some call it fate but we who are Christians know that it is God.
Perhaps some of those were angels, but I think many were just people like you and I who heard what God asked them to do and did it. God may send you anywhere if you are willing to go.
He wants us to be sensitive to hear him and follow his lead. He knows who needs our help and will direct our path to intersect with them.
I can remember times in my life when I have felt an overwhelming urge to help someone I saw in need. Other times I feel no desire to help some people and occasionally have felt a sense of warning to stay away from a person who appeared to want something.
God Let's you Know Who he Wants you to Help
God will help you to know when someone needs you. There are time when driving along you might be blocked from taking your usual route. As you travel the new path you see someone who needs your help. When you feel an unusual urge for the person you see it is God asking you to do whatever you can. It's possible the help you give could change the life of one who is at the end of their rope and just asked for God’s help.
I can simply say if you feel that urge, do whatever you feel is right. It may only be giving the extra dollar in your pocket or in your purse. It really doesn’t matter if you are wrong about the person you give to. God will deal with those who take advantage of others.
I would much rather help someone who doesn’t need it than miss the opportunity to help someone God sent me to see.
God has a Solution
I remember a time when a neighbor of mine was in need. Though I had very little myself I felt I should gave them some milk and some eggs when they asked. The next day they came again and asked if I can help with some meat or cereal. Again I gave them what I had but I was running low on food and didn’t have the means to buy more.
As this went on for a week or more I prayed and asked God what can I do because though I wanted to help I felt this person may be taking advantage of me. A couple days later the person came back again. I was about to see if there was anything left to give but instead they said "I won’t be needing anything more. I am moving away but thank you for your help."
God seldom answers our prayers as we expect. I thought maybe he would help me to get more food but instead he removed the people who were taking more than I had to give. Only God knows if they were taking advantage of the situation or they really needed what was given but for me it was no longer a problem. God took care of it.
What can I do for God today?
- Be sensitive to God's leading.
- Go where he wants you to go and see who he wants you to see.
- Be willing to help when you feel that unusual sense in your heart.