To Give or Not to Give

 

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

I was at a picnic over the weekend and this verse from Matthew 5 came up in conversation. We were talking about giving to beggars on the streets of Philadelphia. I feel sorry for them and want to give. Over the years my husband has convinced me to offer to buy them a sandwich rather than giving them cash. I like this plan though only once has someone taken us up on it. (We’ve probably only offered it two or three times.)

My brother takes Matthew 5:42 very literally and gives something to everyone who asks him according to what he has to give. His wife also offers to buy food rather than give cash.

The conversation has really gotten me to think about my giving. I cannot give to everyone who asks or what I gave would not be enough to help anyone. Then, I wonder if this should expand to every request I get in the mail – or only the ones I open? How about the requests from people on-line that I know absolutely nothing about except to read about all the scams that are out there? They all claim to be Christian but really the verse says give to the one who begs – no restrictions.

I checked Matthew Henry’s commentary to see what he thought. Here is a quote from him, “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.”

Matthew Henry 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.” Obviously we are not just to give but if we have it, lend to those in need. The verse also says this is to be done with justice. It has to be done right, with discernment about who is truly needy and who is unworthy.

In our society this may be difficult. There are many truly needy people on the streets of our cities. Mental health issues, drug and alcohol addictions, job losses, and many other circumstances lead people to be homeless. How are we supposed to discern who is worthy of our charity and who is not? How do we identify the “real object of charity” when they do present themselves?

Sadly, I cannot answer the question. This leads me to think that maybe my brother has it right, give something to everyone who asks and then I won’t make a mistake before God – or will I? Proverbs 17:16 says, “Why should a fool have money in his hand to buy wisdom when he has no sense?” and 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.”

What this all comes down to for me is the Holy Spirit. I have been nudged by the Lord to give to others and I believe that because, as His children, we have the Holy Spirit in us, we can know when to give to the one who begs as he asks or when to give the one who begs something to eat. My brother’s prompting is to take the verse literally and give to all who beg him. Sometimes the Lord lets us know to give to the one who has asked Him though they haven’t said a single word to us.

More than anything what we need to see in God’s word is that we are to give. A Christian cannot hoard and be greedy with his/her money or gifts from God and expect for God to be pleased. In His goodness to us this is also because that is what’s good for us.

Paul told the Corinthians, “The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2Corinthians 9:6-7)

So, whether we oblige every single person who asks with money or offer to go buy them some food, God is looking at our hearts. Man will see the act of giving but God will know and respond to our motivation. Look at one more verse:

If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. 1Corinthians 13:3

Giving needs to be a matter of prayer so that we follow the leading of God’s Holy Spirit in each one of our decisions to give or not to give.