To Give or Not to Give

"We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves"- Romans 15:1 (NIV).

People who always have their hands out target Christians and Christians may feel they're walking around with a target on their back, being milked of their resources and time. The Bible tells us three things: We are called to be generous and to help others, but, we are not required to give in all situations, and, lastly, we should rebuke those who sinfully take advantage of people, or mismanage their resources. Christians are taught to be generous and that more will be given back to us, the measure overflowing (Proverbs 11:24), but, we should weigh whether the request is a need or a want. God intends for people to provide for themselves and their family's needs first, not mismanaging resources and then begging for what was truly needed (1 Timothy 5:8). And as importantly, we are to rebuke those who do not work: "For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: "The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat"" (1 Thessalonians 3:10). We aren't to be accomplices to laziness or slothfulness. We've seen brothers and sisters-in-Christ who have a real need and we've jumped right in to help, never doubting if it was the right decision. We need to listen to the Holy Spirit. He'll help us determine need from want.