God Sent Me!

 

 Introduction

In Matthew 26, Jesus is in a home in Bethany when a woman enters and pours fragrant oil over his head. The reaction, to this, is found in verses 8-11, But when His disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste? For this fragrant oil might have been sold for much and given to the poor.” But when Jesus was aware of it, He said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a good work for Me. For you have the poor with you always, but Me you do not have always.”

It's disheartening to read Jesus’ statement in verse 11 when he says, For you have the poor with you always. It’s still true today; here in 2022. Regardless of who’s running the country, there are still people in need.

However, not all are really incapable of employment. They just prefer tax-free money. While others, play the “sympathy” card with a wrong motive.

 

Con artists

People feel a sense of guilt when they see someone holding a sign begging money for food or gas. They’ll hand them a few dollars and then feel good for a while; calming those heartstrings which are being tugged.

But what happens when you offer to buy someone a meal or simply hand them a sandwich and they refuse it? It shows that they aren’t really in need of food but that money for something else.

If you feel guilty, but still want to contribute, give your money to organizations that help people in need, The Red Cross, Homeless Shelters, or other non-religious business. Most people would rather get a handout rather than be “in the system”.

 

Creative Begging

Several years ago, I was on my way into a store when a young man stopped me to ask for money. However, before asking, he started to read a poem he wrote. To me, I appreciated the effort in that he was “doing something” to earn the money. They reason I didn’t give him anything was that he didn’t just read the poem but inserted apologies for asking and stating that he was harmless. I get the context, but he could have apologized first, read the poem (uninterrupted), then ask for money.

The point I’m trying to make here is, if you’re going to ask for help at least make an effort to; in a poem, a song, or something else. Earn the money rather than just ask for it. You might need a permit if you’re doing something “professional” but if you’re just reading a poem, or weaving a tale, you might be able to it without that permit.

 

Next-Level Begging

Over the years, I’ve seen my share of people holding signs begging for money. Recently, while on the way home from work, I saw a person with a sign that read: God sent me to ask for help. This is what I considered “Next-Level” Begging. It’s one thing to say, “God Bless You” on a sign when asking for assistance. But did God really send someone to beg for money?

 

What Does the Bible Say?

In Romans 10:17 the apostle Paul writes, So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. The only way we “hear” God speak to us is through His Word. Reading and studying scripture is God talking to us. I can’t say that I’ve read anywhere in scripture that God sent someone to beg.

God did send us to do something and that is to preach and teach the gospel. Jesus said in Matthew 28:19-20, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” It wasn’t just for the twelve but also for us.

Finally, Paul writes in 2 Thessalonians 3:10, For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. Notice it says “will not work” not “unable to work”. God understands that there are those who are, physically, or mentally, unable to work.

The context here, in 2 Thessalonians, tells that people have quit their jobs because they were told that the Second Coming was imminent. So, rather than labor every day, they stood idle waiting for the return fearing that they might miss it. A person who considers themselves a Christian would know that they need to be busy doing the Lord’s work and that includes employment to feed self and family.

Paul states in 1 Timothy 5:8, But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. Even atheists know that they have to provide for their own family; it’s a natural understanding, whether they believe in God or not.

 

Conclusion

Here’s two question to considers, did God send people to beg for money during Jesus’ time? Did He send people to beg so he could teach us a lesson about benevolence? The answer to both is, “No!” None of those people were sent to beg, they did it out of necessity as most were lame, blind, deaf, or suffering from another malady which prevented them from entering the workforce.

Don’t feel guilty when you don’t give someone money. Instead, give them a $5 or $10 gift card to a fast-food place. This way, you know they can only use your money for food.