"Give to all who ask of you" - how to be wise about this?

[MercyandFaith]

Scripture says, "Give to all who ask of you" (Luke 6:30.)


Is there a situation in which we can legitimately refuse to give to someone who asks - for instance, someone who does not appear to be trustworthy? Doesn't this verse seem to imply that we can't say no? Wouldn't it be a really foolish financial approach to simply give to anyone who asks, no questions asked?

 

[Spunkn]

God doesn't require you to give up common sense. So no, if someone walks up to you and asks for all your money, your car keys, and your house you don't give it to them.

It's the same verses as Matthew 10:37-38 37 “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. 38 And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. 39 He who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it.

These verses aren't saying you should hate your family, because if you don't then you don't love Jesus. It's about attitude. And we should love God more than anything else in this world.

By the same token, we should have the attitude that when someone asks us for help, we want to do everything in our power to help them, giving them what they need. But that's not to say you just give everything to just anyone.

 

[ezeric]

Scripture says, "Give to all who ask of you" (Luke 6:30.)


Is there a situation in which we can legitimately refuse to give to someone who asks - for instance, someone who does not appear to be trustworthy? Doesn't this verse seem to imply that we can't say no? Wouldn't it be a really foolish financial approach to simply give to anyone who asks, no questions asked?

JESUS often went the extra mile, and did go out of HIS way to heal/bless/help people - we know that.

And HE certainly gave up all - to rescue scum bags like ourselves.

But there were instances where HE didn't give to them that asked.

One was when the young guy asked JESUS to settle his inheritance dispute with his brother - JESUS doesn't give advise (about the inheritance issue) nor does HE go with the young man. see Luke 12:13

Also, JESUS doesn't go to the feast when his brother told him (and all of Israel) were going to the feast - JESUS delays and waits on the LORD and actually arrives late!

You can argue, that HE eventually did go, but it wasn't with his brother and it was in secret a day later in fact.

But I think we are to be givers, because HE is.
And we are naturally NOT givers, but takers.

The only way to be a 'giver' is you need HIM to give through us, giving us such compassion for our fellow man, that we would see them as needy and give to them when they ask. This is a work of the SPIRIT or rather a way of life in the Kingdom.

Saying all that, we do everything as the LORD leads.

JESUS didn't sin by not going with the young inheritance quarreling son.
The son asked for JESUS to 'settle the problem' but JESUS doesn't.

Our times are in HIS hands...

-eric

 

[Krillin]

I remember when I was younger I had some allowance money. My older sister took me by the mall so I could get some new game or toy or something. There was an elderly woman walking around the parking lot asking for money. She got to our car and asked if we had any money because she was desperately needing some medicine. I was going to offer her my own money, but my sister just went ahead and told her that we didn't have any to give to her. She walked away disappointed. My sister explained to me that sometimes people just ask for money to get drugs or alcohol.

This has always bothered me. I want to help these people out, but how do I know they are legitimate?

Honestly, I haven't really looked to see what the scripture says in depth. But when I look at the situation I just tell myself that it isn't really my fault for not knowing for certain what they're intentions are. Plus, I would rather indirectly be involved in the purchasing of drugs than be the cause of someone having to go hungry simply because I misjudged them.

 

[MercyandFaith]

I remember when I was younger I had some allowance money. My older sister took me by the mall so I could get some new game or toy or something. There was an elderly woman walking around the parking lot asking for money. She got to our car and asked if we had any money because she was desperately needing some medicine. I was going to offer her my own money, but my sister just went ahead and told her that we didn't have any to give to her. She walked away disappointed. My sister explained to me that sometimes people just ask for money to get drugs or alcohol.

This has always bothered me. I want to help these people out, but how do I know they are legitimate?

Honestly, I haven't really looked to see what the scripture says in depth. But when I look at the situation I just tell myself that it isn't really my fault for not knowing for certain what they're intentions are. Plus, I would rather indirectly be involved in the purchasing of drugs than be the cause of someone having to go hungry simply because I misjudged them.

Yes, that's my question.....it's like a lose-lose, no-good-solution situation.


Give money = potentially get swindled (which isn't good financial stewardship)

Don't give money = risk not helping someone who genuinely needs it (and God will be upset)

 

[BFine]

If someone is in need of meds and they are in a parking lot asking
for money-- what I would do is this: Ask them their name, the name
of the medicine they take, how much it costs and which pharmacy do they get it from.
..go with them to the pharmacy or meet them there and pay for their medicine.

I also have gotten into the habit of having gift cards with me for food etc.
In the summer we usually have a pack of bottled water in the car, snacks,
personal care kits etc.

**Depending upon how dirty/smelly a homeless person is, there are businesses
that won't allow them inside because of how they look and smell.

 

[Naturalist]

Scripture says, "Give to all who ask of you" (Luke 6:30.)


Is there a situation in which we can legitimately refuse to give to someone who asks - for instance, someone who does not appear to be trustworthy? Doesn't this verse seem to imply that we can't say no? Wouldn't it be a really foolish financial approach to simply give to anyone who asks, no questions asked?

 

[Naturalist]

Jesus says to "give to all who ask" ... He makes no exceptions. However, one should understand that Jesus does not specify what a Christian should give... so yes, if you feel that someone is asking you for something inappropriate or sinful (i.e., money for illegal drugs, weapons, alcohol, etc.), then you should use your common sense and realize that Jesus is not tasking you with giving that person whatever they want... Indeed, God Himself answers our prayers in many different ways. So, the burden of giving someone else whatever they ask for is lifted from your shoulders. However, do not think that giving someone money (regardless of the amount) is somehow better, or greater, than a heartfelt prayer. You can ALWAYS say a prayer for a Godly resolution to someone's needs... in doing so, you will have fulfilled Jesus' directive.

On a personal note; I remember little of my conversations with other students or professors from my college years... but, I still remember when a fellow Christian student unexpectedly said he would "pray for me" as I was leaving the cafeteria. It frankly stunned me, for this was the only time anyone ever said that to me during my 8 years of college. Forty years later, I still pray for him and will always be grateful for his act of kindness... NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF A PRAYER

 

[com7fy8]

"You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures." (James 4:3)

 

[timewerx]

Jesus says to "give to all who ask" ...

Only if you have spare resources to give. If you're poor yourself, you don't have to give as much or don't have to give at all.

Of course if you don't have any spare resources because you spend all your resources on so many things you probably don't need including comfort, leisure, and other excesses. It shows where your heart and treasure is.

He makes no exceptions.

Because you might end up unfairly judging the person you're thinking of helping or end up not helping those who really needed help

Other Christians will tell you don't help an evil person or carefully scrutinize anyone you intend to help. They're already judging that person unfairly having not known his or her circumstances and more importantly, having never experienced the life they lived. They could just be acting out finding no hope in anyone because no one has ever stood beside them. Even the "people of God" so-called "Christians" snubbing them.

The Lord's provisions are for everyone, including those we judge to be evil:

Matthew 5:45
that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

I've seen the results of financially helping people without exceptions including alcoholics even if they don't stop their drinking addiction. One of them is my uncle and they've now committed their lives to the Lord and now striving to help others who needed help. You never know the impact of goodness even on the evil.

 

[Naturalist]

Only if you have spare resources to give. If you're poor yourself, you don't have to give as much or don't have to give at all.

Of course if you don't have any spare resources because you spend all your resources on so many things you probably don't need including comfort, leisure, and other excesses. It shows where your heart and treasure is.


Because you might end up unfairly judging the person you're thinking of helping or end up not helping those who really needed help

Other Christians will tell you don't help an evil person or carefully scrutinize anyone you intend to help. They're already judging that person unfairly having not known his or her circumstances and more importantly, having never experienced the life they lived. They could just be acting out finding no hope in anyone because no one has ever stood beside them. Even the "people of God" so-called "Christians" snubbing them.

The Lord's provisions are for everyone, including those we judge to be evil:

Matthew 5:45
that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

I've seen the results of financially helping people without exceptions including alcoholics even if they don't stop their drinking addiction. One of them is my uncle and they've now committed their lives to the Lord and now striving to help others who needed help. You never know the impact of goodness even on the evil.

One can always say a prayer for someone in need... Jesus did not say you had to give money.

 

[Gregory Thompson]

Scripture says, "Give to all who ask of you" (Luke 6:30.)


Is there a situation in which we can legitimately refuse to give to someone who asks - for instance, someone who does not appear to be trustworthy? Doesn't this verse seem to imply that we can't say no? Wouldn't it be a really foolish financial approach to simply give to anyone who asks, no questions asked?

The bible has messages for people on a particular paths.

If you follow scripture without understanding, verses like this one will result in severe loss and no reward.

 

[timewerx]

One can always say a prayer for someone in need...

James 2:15-16
15Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16If one of you tells him, “Go in peace; stay warm and well fed,” but does not provide for his physical needs, what good is that?

Luke 3:11
John replied, “Whoever has two tunics should share with him who has none, and whoever has food should do the same.”

Jesus did not say you had to give money.

If you sell your possessions, what else remains to give? Money.

Luke 12:33
Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.

Acts 4:34-35
that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.

 

[T.i.m.o.t.h.y.]

Scripture says, "Give to all who ask of you" (Luke 6:30.)


Is there a situation in which we can legitimately refuse to give to someone who asks - for instance, someone who does not appear to be trustworthy? Doesn't this verse seem to imply that we can't say no? Wouldn't it be a really foolish financial approach to simply give to anyone who asks, no questions asked?

If you want back what you give.. any equipment for yard-work, or auto-tools for car maintenance, etc.. in that case you are lending it for a short time. So pray that God will work on the person to return it.
But if you think that they are not trustworthy, then give what they ask, and pray that God will give you another one. In both cases it lines up with scripture to ask God for what you need.

Don't rely on the person to do what's right, don't be upset but forgive them, and rely upon God to do what is right, if you do what is right.