November 17 - One of the most remarkable incidents from our time here in Greece happened about a month ago. We took Cindy Maricle and her two daughters to Potami Falls for the day. There is a really cool restaurant there, just above the falls, which is accessed by 200 rickety steps up a steep hillside.
When we parked at the trailhead, I locked my wallet in the car. I did not think the restaurant was open this late in the season, and there were no other cars around. When we got to the falls, the girls went on ahead, and we didn't hear from them for an hour. So, to check on them, we went up the stairs as it provides a way around the falls. On the way up, I got to talking with a very nice German couple. They had just been to the restaurant, so I told them our predicament. Without a moments hesitation, this gentleman opened his wallet and offered us 50 Euro. We were flabergasted, to say the least! We said we couldn't, but under the 50 was a fiver and a ten, so we took them.
This leads to my question. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said: "Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow turn not thou away? (Matt 5:42). I have never understood how to apply this teaching. It seems on the surface that he is telling us to open our wallet to anyone who asks. Or maybe he is articulating the principle that, if someone asks for our help or needs our help, we should be available.
In the Parable of the Good Samaritan, the traveling Samaritan saw the man who had been beaten up by thieves, and "had compassion" on him. Without even being asked, he dressed the man's wounds, took him to an inn, and paid for his lodging. See Luke 10:30-37.
On the other hand, Paul seems to place some limitations on helping a fellow believer. 1 Timothy 3:10. "For even when we were with you, this we commanded, that if any would not work, neither should he eat." Paul did not think it was wise to help someone live a selfish life. Today we would probably call that "enabling.
1 John 3:17. "But whoso hath this worlds goods, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue, but in deed and in truth."
I would really like to hear from those who are older and wiser, or even from those who are younger and wiser.
The stairway "to heaven"
The restaurant
I have been both the receiver, and the giver...It matters!
ReplyDelete15 years or so ago Mike Thorsteinson spoke at Milltown about helping others that we might meet. His example was stopping to help someone who had a flat tire. [Within a year or two afterwards, on our way back from a day at Milltown, wouldn't you know that we came across one of the friends, with a flat tire at the side of I-5, and yes we did stop and help.]
ReplyDeletePaul seems to be saying "they have to be putting out some effort". John, "if you can help out, do so". We know some who invited a family to live in their home for a few months during a remodeling project.
Well I have done a 180 on this in recent years, so I am not sure my opinion hold much weight. I used to never give to anyone who look like they may abuse it, say... the bum under the bridge. But the more I thought about it, I realized that I am not aware of teaching that suggests to give ONLY if the money will be used wisely, save Paul's point. So now, I give, regardless of what I deduce about the situation.
ReplyDeleteOn the same note however, we have been given free will and the power of deduction. Why not use those abilities, the things that set us apart from the beasts, and give as we determine is fitting for the situation. That may yield something as small as a sandwich, or your home like Joel said.
I don't know how to apply these things either. I suspect that if we really loved our neighbor, we would likely give more. Also it seems the fellow believer is in a special category of assistance.
We may be older than Karl, but given what we read in these posts, certainly not wiser! We have trouble with this also. We try to give to those we know really have a need and find great pleasure in this But it is likely that some on the corners chose that life because they do not want to work. We will also give if we feel the spirit seems to be asking us to. We have given food to those who are on the corners, as we know that will not be used for wrong things. You never know what will happen. We had a homeless couple living near us on the side of the road in a trailer. We were able to help the man get medical treatment, [He was bi-polar and off his medication.] He is now doing so much better and they have been going to gospel meetings. So let the spirit lead. But as is mentioned above, a little more compassion and a little more giving to our neighbor would probably not hurt us any :-)
ReplyDeleteI think the Spirit will guide on this... We have been on the receiving end more than giving, but I know that in these instances nothing was said in conversation, IT just happened. LOVE, love this dialogue!!
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