#63  SOW OR NO...7 THOUGHTS 'N MORE 

With purse on one arm, groceries in both hands and a bus pass as well, a man approached me quickly.  The bus was approaching as well.  He asked me for $2.00; looked into my eyes with desperation, was about sixty years of age.  I had seen him in that area before, but did not know him.  There was no time to dig for change as the bus arrived right then.  I shook my head no; instantly discerned his anger as I boarded the bus safely; not without being affected though.  Spiritual battle and Christians must be instant in season and out of season.  This was one of those opportunities.

Many thoughts raced through my mind.  The first one was that how I treat the poor is how Jesus will treat me.  Second thought was what if he wants it to buy booze, do I help him?  Third thought...I am not responsible for what he does after I give it.  When I give, I sow and do so with no strings attached.  It is not my place to tell him what to do with it.  Fourth thought, I will not feel guilty because there was literally no time to open my purse as the bus arrived right at that moment.  Fifth thought, why did he target me specifically?  Sixth thought, maybe he targeted the others before I arrived.  Seventh thought, Lord, I feel sorry for him, would like to help, but can not help every person that begs.  If I give money, I want to witness to the person for sure, about You.   

When I arrived home my heart was hurting.  I felt like crying because that man really wanted money, yet I also realized he did not ask for one, but two dollars.  The amount I give, if I do, is my decision.  Hmmm, is that pride kicking in?  Since this is not the first encounter with someone asking for money in the past week I need to find out how God wants me to handle this.  There was also the possibility that the person may get angry if I say no, and I do not want to be put in a position of danger, nor do I want to allow manipulation.  Some people give quickly and go on their way, as if they think nothing of it.  I look at it differently.

When I give money, I am sowing seed, and my harvest is contingent on the condition of the soil.  If it is not fertile there will not be a harvest from God, through whomever He chooses to use to manifest that harvest.  No expectation robs the seed of faith and the seed will not multiply.  It becomes barren.  I can not please God without Faith.  Yet I learned that sowing down...initiates good health....God's promise to me in PS. 41:1-3.  In fact, read PS.41: Msg "
   
^1-3Dignify those who are down on their luck; you'll feel good—that's what God does.    God looks after us all, makes us robust with life—   Lucky to be in the land, we're free from enemy worries.  Whenever we're sick and in bed,     God becomes our nurse, nurses us back to health.

My heart wants to give because I do love people, and want to help.  Yet to give fish, but never teach a person "how to fish" would not be doing the person a favor.   It would be doing the person an injustice.   Also, there is a bigger picture to this than whether to sow or not.  In the midst of trying to be led by the Holy Spirit I found myself wondering why the person is in such a state, does he try to get work; is he employable, ill, educated, where is family, what are the circumstances?  How is he dressed this well if he has no money?  Where does he live?  The questions continue to surface as does the question:  What would Jesus do?  

Obviously this is an area the Lord wants to help me with or I would not be so stirred.  It is one thing to give a gift.  It is another thing to be asked for a gift.  When I bring God's viewpoint into play, the picture looks a whole lot different because when we see God's viewpoint... wisdom also is seen.  (That is a point worth noting.) 

For example, I am a woman alone, a senior, changing buses; and for a complete stranger to approach me face to face as that man did was bold of him.  It also was out of order.  For him to approach a man the same way would be different and done differently too, because I am sure he would not have been so close to a man's face!  Yet that is not what happened.  He was targeting my emotions and that is manipulation.  I can not stand manipulation and recognize it easily.  Consequently, my thoughts turn to the fact that it is not a coincidence that the bus arrived at that very moment.  God's provision for me to depart safely.  He is faithful. (PS.91)

Other people around me did not say a word to the man, and their lack of support of me as a woman alone was noticed by me.  Too often people look but do not want to get involved.  Fear is at the root of their decision.  My trust is not in them, but in God; so I stay connected to the Source of my safety.  His Voice is supreme to me and brings comfort no stranger or friend can bring...His tone instantly soothes my entire inner being, causing me to immediately be more at ease.  His precious presence was strong as I sat on that bus on the way home and I was thankful.  I just knew we were going to have a little talk about this issue.  Fear was knocking, but I kept the door shut!  Thankfully!!  (Wise Mentors in my life.) 2Timothy 1:7 "For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind."

People begging for money was becoming an issue because it kept surfacing.  Day or evening someone somewhere was begging for money, male and female.  Mostly male though.  When someone is desperate it can put you in a dangerous situation, not knowing how they will react if you are the fiftieth one that says no that day! Who is the one that is like the straw that breaks the camel's back?  Not a positive thought, but one has to be street wise and this is pretty basic.  I was learning and needed answers because these encounters were increasing and the boldness of some individuals was more than astounding!

Once I was waiting for the bus with a shopping bag of heavy groceries.  Rather than hold the groceries while waiting I simply rested the bag on my foot and kept the bag upright while waiting.  Just as I was about to take three steps to get on the bus a man asked if he could carry it for me.  He was with all of us, getting on the bus also.  So I was grateful for a gentleman to help, and got on the bus, he followed me with the groceries. I showed my bus pass, sat in first seat, looked up and he was setting groceries on floor near me. 

His next action totally caught me off guard.  As he was leaned over inches from my face to set the groceries at my feet he said, "Could I have $2.00"  I thought he was being a gentleman and was getting the bus also.  Instantly I saw who I assumed was a gentlemen...exposed as a man with an ulterior motive and it enraged me.  I hate deceit.  For a flash of a second I would have liked to bop him in the nose for doing that!  BUT GOD.....helped me crucify the flesh.

My gloves were on, purse over arm as I sat, more grocery bags on my lap and people trying to board the bus in the midst of the congestion he caused.  It was exasperating because any change I did have was buried and inconvenient to retrieve.  I was trying not to feel guilty while trying NOT...to be upset with him as I did not know his entire situation.  In my somewhat flustered state I said, "I do volunteer work."   My intention was to teach him that he could sow seed and do the same somewhere, but I think he heard it as meaning: "I don't have...any money to give you."  He left the bus.  The door closed and the driver drove.  Then I wondered where the man wanted to go on the bus.... 

I was kicking myself for not carrying my own groceries.  In fact, I started thanking God that the man didn't turn around and just depart with the bag as he left the bus!  I never did like that saying..."How to get in trouble without even trying"....but must admit it came to mind at this time.  It was not comforting... and I am pretty sure my eyes were shooting sparks as I sat on that bus homeward bound, because I was stirred! 

How about some feedback from blog readers please?  How do you handle this kind of confrontation?  I pray for discernment and God keeps me safe always, yet only once did I give money to one man near a grocery store....AFTER....ministering to him the Word of God, and praying for him.  I never saw him at that spot again in the following year either.  At least I knew I would not have his blood on my hands.  Yet time is often of the essence too.

So rather than give some quick religious answer...(I refuse to go that route)....help me out please.  Your comments can be read by everyone, and although our experiences surely differ....is there a general rule of thumb you use to deal with this kind of thing?  I put the ball in your court and ask you to help me out...  Share what you have learned.....from the Lord with regard to sowing or not sowing in such situations.  I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you.      

If you have any trouble sending a comment, notify me on Twitter:  rightlady7.  Thanks.  God Bless You and please don't be shy... I see this as opportunity for the body of Christ to work together.  One does not have all the answers.  Teamwork is a 'God' thing! :)) Keep in mind remarks are seen globally and I pray your reply will bring glory to God as you share what He ...taught... you!  Thanks again.  


P.S.  Did you notice this post shows the mentor in me as well as the protege...:))  I am a work in progress, praise the Lord!!  We don't have to 'arrive'....then 'be used'.  Rather, we make ourselves available and He uses us in the process of it all.  He truly is Amazing.  Glory to God!



P.P.S.:  Bottom Line for me is to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit...be led by Him.

Written By:  Linda Lou Jones
                       PS.45:1 My Tongue is the pen
                       of a ready writer.
                       Glory To God