Give To everyone Who Asks

Q. I think we’ve all - at one time or another - been approached by a stranger asking for money because (supposedly) they’re in a desperate situation and need help. You give them some money but walk away wondering if you’ve just been conned (and I’m not referring to your obvious street person, pan-handler, etc.)

Don’t Christians have more to consider when confronted like this (i.e., what does God expect from me, the parable of the Good Samaritan, entertaining an angel unawares.) I don’t mind helping someone who truly needs help - if I can; I just don’t want to be an easy mark. How do you think a Christian should handle this type of situation?

A. Luke 6:30-31 says, “Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you.”

To me this means that our responsibility ends with the giving. The person who asks of us will be held accountable for how he uses our gift. I truly believe that the Lord will restore the money we give if we do so purely as a show of gratitude to Him. I also believe that by doing so we’re storing up treasure in Heaven. If that makes me an easy mark, so be it.