Give How Much to Whom?

By Beth | August 24, 2018

Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you. Mat 5:42

The conversation was about giving to beggars on the streets of Philadelphia. Some feel sorry for them and want to give. Others say to buy them a sandwich rather than giving cash.

Snail mail, email, Facebook requests, inside the church, and from local charities. The way requests for money come to the Christian, most cannot give to everyone who asks. If we did we would not be able to give enough to help anyone.

Does this command in Matthew 5 (top) expand to every request we get in the mail – or only the ones we open? How about the requests from people on-line that we know nothing about?

The verse says, “give to the one who begs” – no restrictions.

In his commentary, Matthew Henry says, “When a real object of charity presents itself, we should give at the first word: Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; yet the affairs of our charity must be guided with discretion (Psalm 112:5) lest we give that to the idle and unworthy, which should be given to those that are necessitous, and deserve well.”

He is pretty clear that we should be careful about giving to the idle or unworthy. Psalm 112:5 says, “It is well with the man who deals generously and lends; who conducts his affairs with justice.” What does it mean that our giving and lending are to be done with justice? We are to do them right, with discernment about who is needy and who is unworthy.

When we deal in justice, we deal with what is right and good. The scriptures can guide us to good and righteous decisions that will require us to use good judgment.

2 Thessalonians 3:10-12, instructs us “If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.”

There are many truly needy people on the streets of our cities. Mental health issues, drug and alcohol addictions, illness, job losses, and many other circumstances lead people to homelessness. How are we supposed to discern who is worthy of our charity and who is not?

By relying on the Holy Spirit in us to direct our steps. He knows the heart of everyone who begs – or sends a request. He will know the real need of the other person and the motives of our own hearts. (1 Corinthians 13:3)

Our giving needs to be a matter of both prayer and sound judgment.

When we pray and follow the Holy Spirit’s direction to give or not to give, we will know the peace that surpasses understanding about those decisions.

Will we train ourselves to pray before we hand out the cash, hand over the credit card, or write the check?