Stewardship

Friends often ask us to discern on their behalf if someone asking for financial help is a good investment or not. We’re certainly not alone; knowing if a few bucks would help or hurt someone in the grip of poverty is an age old dilemma.

Our advice is to always turn to Scripture for answers. First off, take it to God in prayer: Paul tells us to take everything to Him, of course that includes stewardship.

Second, if the Spirit is leading you to give money, do it: storing up your treasures in heaven is a good principle no matter what the circumstances. God’s ways are higher than ours, so if you’re in the Word and trying to be discerning, God will work out everything for good. He’s not looking to trick us.

Third, our God is a God of relationship. Getting to know the people asking for money is always a good idea. Start small, watch what they do with a little and it will give you a good idea how they’ll handle much.

Last but certainly not least: whatever you do, do it with great humility. Paul writes the Philippians to do nothing in vanity, but in lowliness of mind esteem another better than yourself. If we have money to give, that’s God’s blessing to us, not ours to someone else.