1. Whew, I got out of that one.
2. Did I just lie?
3. No, it wasn't a lie. He said, "that [he] could use" and he couldn't use it!
4. What would Christ have done? What does he say about it?
I remembered the verses I read just yesterday,
Deuteronomy 16:17Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD your God which He has given you.
Proverbs 3:27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it.
5. What would my mom have done or told me to do?
This really bothered me. Was what I did wrong? Maybe I should have asked him why he needed to call someone? What if it was for a ride? Then what? Do I offer a ride? Or my phone? I love being generous but at what cost? He could have been a perfectly safe, respectable man, but what if he wasn't? If something happened because I stopped to talk to him, people would talk about how unwise I was to stop in the first place. "She asked for it." "Why was she thinking?" But now that I've ignored him, what will people think? "Look at that "Christ follower" who just passed that man by, barely giving him a glance, much less any help." "Is that a Christian who just lied outright in public? Same as all the other hypocrites." And what about the man? What does he think of my response? I obviously didn't show Christ to him through my actions. I was polite in my answer but I didn't do anything that any old person wouldn't do.
What would you do? What is right? What is the wise response? Should I be looking out for my safety or just trust that God has that under control? I know I shouldn't just be stupid and assume God will stop a speeding car from hitting me or a knife from harming me. But, I do know I should trust him with my wellbeing. Worse then all my immediate thoughts was the thought that he might have been trying to steal my phone. And then what would I have done? I can't be without a phone, right?! It's amazing how selfish my heart can be when at the same time had he asked me to buy him a phone, I probably would have been eager to help him. What are we supposed to do in these "moral dilemmas?" Sure, you can pray and wait for answers to certain things but what do I do as I pass by someone like this? In an instant?
I would want someone to give me the benefit of the doubt but all my natural instincts went against doing so. Here's what the Bible said about giving:
Proverbs 29:7
7 The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern.
Matthew 6:19-21
19"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Luke 6:35
35But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.
Luke 6:38
38Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
Acts 20:35
35In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' "
Romans 12:13
13Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
19"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Luke 6:35
35But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.
Luke 6:38
38Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
Acts 20:35
35In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' "
Romans 12:13
13Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
2 Corinthians 9:6-7
6Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
1 Timothy 6:18
18Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.
Deuteronomy 15:10
Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to.
Proverbs 21:26
…the righteous gives and does not hold back.
Proverbs 28:27
He who gives to the poor will never want, but he who shuts his eyes will have many curses.
Luke 6:30
Give to everyone who asks of you, and whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back.
1 John 3: 17-18
17If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? 18Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.
Luke 6:38
Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.
James 2:15-16
If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?
Isn't that EXACTLY what I did?? I think these verses have given me the answer, for me at least. But what would you do?
6Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
1 Timothy 6:18
18Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.
Deuteronomy 15:10
Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to.
Proverbs 21:26
…the righteous gives and does not hold back.
Proverbs 28:27
He who gives to the poor will never want, but he who shuts his eyes will have many curses.
Luke 6:30
Give to everyone who asks of you, and whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back.
1 John 3: 17-18
17If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? 18Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.
Luke 6:38
Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.
James 2:15-16
If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?
Isn't that EXACTLY what I did?? I think these verses have given me the answer, for me at least. But what would you do?
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