What should we do when a beggar asks for money?
The Lord Jesus said in Matthew 5:42 to give to the one who asks; did He mean all beggars?
Matthew 5:42
KJV - 42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
Anonymous
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Donna Williams
Supporter
Matthew chapter 5 is known as the sermon on the mount. Jesus began to teach his disciples about the kingdom of God. I believe the key to this entire discourse is found in verse 20: "For I say to you, that except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and the Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven." The scribes and the Pharisees were the religious leaders of Israel, and had the responsibility to teach them the laws of God; but they were self-righteous, and were themselves guilty of breaking the laws of God. Jesus came to bring grace and truth, and it is apparent that he was teaching in this discourse to go above and beyond what the law required. He was teaching his disciples about the love and the grace of God, and how they were to imitate God the Father, who is good to the evil as well as the good. In Matthew 5:38-42: Jesus is teaching about retaliation, as revealed in verse 38, "Ye have heard that it hath been said, 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth': 39 But I say unto you, that ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also." In other words, we are not to render evil for evil, but we are to overcome evil with good, as we are instructed in Romans 12:21. Jesus brought a new dispensation of grace that we are to show towards mankind, the just as well as the unjust. To sum up, what I have shared is very simple; we are to show mercy and grace to those who have offended us, and not to withhold anything that we may be asked to give. We are to give to all who ask without discrimination. We are to walk in forgiveness, and not offense! We are to be imitators of God, who has not rewarded us according to what our sins deserved, but has saved us according to His mercy and grace!
Ursula S Monroe
Supporter
I mulled that question several times. On my work commute there were always a few along the way. I finally came to the decision to make a little ditty bag. I’d also add a story of salvation and $1.00. This worked with those truly in need, but not those that just wanted money. Lately now that I’m retired, if someone comes up to me and asks for money and I feel the Spirit prompting me, I’ll tell them that, "Jesus said to give this to you. So how you spend it is between you and Him.” I pray that it convicts their heart to use the money for things other than drugs or alcohol.
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