I am staggering!

[odhiambo]

I am staggering!

There is this person who sees nothing wrong in walking into a neighbour’s home and asking for a relatively large sum of money.
True, they have fallen on hard times and there is sickness in the family that is draining whatever resources they may have.
First time I was called and given a choice of either paying for medical treatment or buying food supply for the home. I was moved with compassion and gave something towards buying food for the family. I must say that we are of a different pod completely and I have always kept clear once I had realised that.
Recently again I was asked for a good sum towards medical treatment. I said outright I did not have it.
Later on while thinking over the matter, I think of what the saints would have done. How they gave the shirts off their backs in a manner of speaking. I realised that I am facing a very long, very narrow road and I am staggering!

[Shin]

Prayers odhiambo!

It's one thing to help the needy, but don't be taken advantage of.

I don't know what the whole situation is, but God is good, and I think you know how to discern what to do in the end.

[RachelKH]

Praying for you to hear God's Will -- to be kind, yet not be taken advantage of.   

[Patricia]

Does this person ask humbly for help? Does he need the money urgently and a life is at stake? Do you have a lot of money to spare?  Does this person just see you as an easy way to get some cash rather than work for it?  I would think about all this before helping.  My father helped a lot of people with cash, but his generosity attracted the wrong kind of people who used him to fulfill their needs and then disappeared.

[Shin]

I wonder what Bailey2 would think of this.

[odhiambo]

Prayers odhiambo!

It's one thing to help the needy, but don't be taken advantage of.

I don't know what the whole situation is, but God is good, and I think you know how to discern what to do in the end.

Thanks Shin. Will pray 

[odhiambo]

Praying for you to hear God's Will -- to be kind, yet not be taken advantage of.   

Thanks Rachel. I appreciate the prayers on my behalf.

[odhiambo]

Does this person ask humbly for help? Does he need the money urgently and a life is at stake? Do you have a lot of money to spare?  Does this person just see you as an easy way to get some cash rather than work for it?  I would think about all this before helping.  My father helped a lot of people with cash, but his generosity attracted the wrong kind of people who used him to fulfill their needs and then disappeared.

Thanks Patricia.
Your points are noted. The main problem is that it is on going. giving today is not enough. Tomorrow is another day.The avarage person I know lives from hand to mouth, even for those of us who are working. Worse when one does not work as is their situation. I am sure the Lord will soon sort it all out. I guess I was just  feeling guilty for not giving and we are told to " give to all those who ask" 

[Patricia]

Hmmm, yes. I felt the same guilt once when a friend of mine asked me for rides. I did it for awhile while it was of urgent necessity, then it began to be an almost daily call --- ' I need to go to Mc Donalds', ' I need to buy grapes and I want to go only that particular store', etc   That's when I had to say ' No ' in a very polite way. I was guilty for awhile but I realized I didn't want to be used just because I'm a housewife/jobless  and have a car handy.