Comments on: The Least Of These http://missionsmisunderstood.com/2008/02/25/the-least-of-these/ Let's give the Commission back to the church. Fri, 17 Feb 2012 18:47:57 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: stepchild http://missionsmisunderstood.com/2008/02/25/the-least-of-these/comment-page-1/#comment-1077 stepchild Sun, 16 Mar 2008 17:57:20 +0000 http://missionsmisunderstood.com/2008/02/25/the-least-of-these/#comment-1077 Bryan, Good point about our need to depend on the Holy Spirit every step of the way. He knows what's best for the begger and the rich man. Bryan,
Good point about our need to depend on the Holy Spirit every step of the way. He knows what’s best for the begger and the rich man.

]]> By: Bryan Riley http://missionsmisunderstood.com/2008/02/25/the-least-of-these/comment-page-1/#comment-1075 Bryan Riley Sun, 16 Mar 2008 14:55:33 +0000 http://missionsmisunderstood.com/2008/02/25/the-least-of-these/#comment-1075 I think we must give as led by the Holy Spirit because we simply aren't capable of making judgments in this area. Money and our knowledge of good and evil has too strong a pull on us apart from the guidance of God - it is only in Christ that we can be strengthened to do all things. I think it is interesting that people want to debate all the circumstances in light of a command to give to those who ask of us. But I admit I do it too. I think we must give as led by the Holy Spirit because we simply aren’t capable of making judgments in this area. Money and our knowledge of good and evil has too strong a pull on us apart from the guidance of God – it is only in Christ that we can be strengthened to do all things.

I think it is interesting that people want to debate all the circumstances in light of a command to give to those who ask of us. But I admit I do it too.

]]> By: stepchild http://missionsmisunderstood.com/2008/02/25/the-least-of-these/comment-page-1/#comment-1055 stepchild Thu, 28 Feb 2008 18:04:00 +0000 http://missionsmisunderstood.com/2008/02/25/the-least-of-these/#comment-1055 Jason,<br/>I totally agree that people need more than a handout. I really mean it when I write that we need to build redeeming relationships with people.<br/><br/>That said, I'm pretty sure it's a good thing when we give anything- even just a one-time handout. I'm afraid that we paralyze ourselves from doing even that because we realize that a greater investment would be better. <br/><br/>Watchman,<br/>That's exactly what I mean. How cool that you heard it from someone who was in those shoes. <br/><br/>I think God is pleased when we give to people in need, no matter how the recipients manage what's given. Jason,
I totally agree that people need more than a handout. I really mean it when I write that we need to build redeeming relationships with people.

That said, I’m pretty sure it’s a good thing when we give anything- even just a one-time handout. I’m afraid that we paralyze ourselves from doing even that because we realize that a greater investment would be better.

Watchman,
That’s exactly what I mean. How cool that you heard it from someone who was in those shoes.

I think God is pleased when we give to people in need, no matter how the recipients manage what’s given.

]]> By: Watchman http://missionsmisunderstood.com/2008/02/25/the-least-of-these/comment-page-1/#comment-1054 Watchman Thu, 28 Feb 2008 15:31:00 +0000 http://missionsmisunderstood.com/2008/02/25/the-least-of-these/#comment-1054 I recently gave a guy twenty bucks so he could buy a "part for his car" I knew better, but still gave him the cash. I see his mug in the news this week, saying he got arrested for forging a check. I probably still would have helped him out.<br/><br/>I'll never forget what a former homeless guy told me one day as I was serving alongside him in a soup kitchen. I asked him how he felt, knowing that many of these people in line were drug addicts and prostitues or just plain lazy bums. His reply was "Jesus told me to feed the poor, not try and figure out who is cheating me." That changed my perspective.<br/><br/>watchman I recently gave a guy twenty bucks so he could buy a “part for his car” I knew better, but still gave him the cash. I see his mug in the news this week, saying he got arrested for forging a check. I probably still would have helped him out.

I’ll never forget what a former homeless guy told me one day as I was serving alongside him in a soup kitchen. I asked him how he felt, knowing that many of these people in line were drug addicts and prostitues or just plain lazy bums. His reply was “Jesus told me to feed the poor, not try and figure out who is cheating me.” That changed my perspective.

watchman

]]> By: Jason http://missionsmisunderstood.com/2008/02/25/the-least-of-these/comment-page-1/#comment-1052 Jason Tue, 26 Feb 2008 09:38:00 +0000 http://missionsmisunderstood.com/2008/02/25/the-least-of-these/#comment-1052 Yeah, growing up in South America I have struggled with this all my life. But, when you really think about it, how much help is it to hand out money every once in a while? That is really an easy way to appease our sense of duty. If we really want to help it takes a little more effort. Truly helping the least of these takes a lot more time and investment than most of us (myself included) are usually willing to expend. And in the end, it is frustrating when we make the effort and a person rejects our real help. "I just want your cash, Mister." Why does it have to be so hard? Yeah, growing up in South America I have struggled with this all my life. But, when you really think about it, how much help is it to hand out money every once in a while? That is really an easy way to appease our sense of duty. If we really want to help it takes a little more effort. Truly helping the least of these takes a lot more time and investment than most of us (myself included) are usually willing to expend. And in the end, it is frustrating when we make the effort and a person rejects our real help. “I just want your cash, Mister.” Why does it have to be so hard?

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