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Response
Luke 6:30, 35-36 instructs us to “give to everyone who asks of you, and whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back.” “But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” These verses and many others in the Bible guide us that Christians are to be loving, merciful, and self-sacrificing. As we observe the needs of people all around us, our hearts should be full of compassion just as our Heavenly Father has compassion towards all people. “The LORD is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made” «The LORD is good to all: And his tender mercies are over all his works. », (Psalm 145:9).
It is right to have a heart that would continually give to others, and it pleases God to see this wonderful characteristic in our lives. However, in this area of giving and helping, the Bible also teaches that we must have wise discernment « Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. », (Matthew 10:16). God gives us certain standards that we must take into account when it comes to giving our time and money to others. When the Bible tells us we are to help others, the purpose is never for us to do this to the point where it becomes detrimental. It’s good to do what we’re able to do, but 2 Thessalonians 3:10 also reminds us, “If a man will not work, he shall not eat.” There are people who want to live an irresponsible lifestyle with absolutely no accountability. So there must be limits; we will help someone with a need, but if we see that it’s become a chronic life pattern, it’s w
It is wrong for us to continue to encourage that behavior. It is very harmful to enable others to be lazy and lack effort. The old saying “Give a man a fish and he eats for a day, teach him to fish and he eats for a lifetime” holds true. As long as we see someone sincerely making an effort, we should support them in whatever way God leads.
Often, a more effective way to assist others is to offer biblical counsel, principles, and encouragement. If they are willing to listen and try, they should be able, through the power of the Holy Spirit within them, to break the cycle of dependency on others. This process begins with a clear presentation of the gospel of Jesus Christ, without which such significant lifestyle changes are not possible.
We are also reminded by the Bible to be good stewards. By trusting in God and walking with Him, He promises to meet our needs “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”, (Philippians 4:19). We must use what the Lord provides wisely. It is important to give back to the Lord a portion of what He blesses us with, provide for our families, and pay our bills. Time management is also part of stewardship; maintaining a balance of worship, work, and family is crucial. These are all key aspects of stewardship that cannot be overlooked and must be taken into account when deciding how and what we can do to help others. If assisting someone financially means neglecting our own debts and responsibilities, then our efforts to help are misguided.
There are various ways people may exploit others. It is essential to pray about this, asking the Lord to guide us in our actions. He will grant us wisdom to discern genuine opportunities.Need to discern between an opportunity and a distraction «If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. », (James 1:5). Sometimes, people are so worn down by life’s trials and failures that they require someone who is willing to be a long-term friend to them. This can be a challenging relationship, but it can also be a very fulfilling one. Local churches can be a tremendous support to those with a burden for individuals in need. However, attempting to assist someone who is simply not willing to take any steps towards a resolution may be a futile endeavor. Once again, praying for God’s wisdom and utilizing the discernment He provides are crucial in these situations.
