I guess I have a different Bible than y'all. Mine says this:
If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you (Matthew 5:42).
I guess I have a different Bible than y'all. Mine says this:
If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you (Matthew 5:42).
FaithfulOne (07-29-2017), Nikos (07-29-2017), njtom (08-09-2017)
Cardinal TT (07-29-2017)
curly sue (07-29-2017), Valiant Woman (07-29-2017)
Exactly Cardinal. My Bible says...
"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." I Timothy *5:8 *
Sometimes Christians in their eagerness to help others, don't use wisdom. Also, who was Jesus addressing in the verse Bookman cited? Was it NT Christians?
Also, one shouldn't neglect their own families to help someone else's. Lot of preachers kids turned from Christ because of this. I'm all for helping folks in need, but not to the neglect of my family nor my financial obligations.
When your praise match your prayers, the answer will come.
https://www.facebook.com/Valiant-Wom...1103844642026/
A.J. (07-29-2017), Cardinal TT (07-29-2017), curly sue (07-29-2017), FaithfulOne (07-29-2017), Romans828 (07-29-2017)
here's that word again..
"balance"
Some of this falls into the "If we are showing love to someone, it means we want the best for them"
and, is it in their best interest to continue to feed their gasping and relying on someone else continually?
I think Redeemed is making a good start by letting them work out some things on their own. She's not said she's cutting them off totally, but somewhere along the line she has to take her own family/situation into condsideration.
Emotional vampires can be very draining... no, ARE very draining, no "can be" about it.
A.J. (07-29-2017), Cardinal TT (07-29-2017), curly sue (07-29-2017), FaithfulOne (07-29-2017), Romans828 (07-29-2017), Valiant Woman (07-29-2017)
Sometimes, you need to say no. I leaned that the hard way.
A lady in church needed car repairs so I went over there and fixed the car. No big deal, I knew how, had the tools, etc. It took about 4 hours in FL heat, I was kinda beat from the heat and stooping over the hood. Soo, I get finished and she says, "while you're here could you help me move a table?". I said "no, I'm kinda beat and want to get on down the road", she persisted, I not so graciously relented. "Ok, let's move the table". I reached down to lift the table, got ahold of it and POW, my lower back blew up. All that stooping over the car to get it repaired had fatigued my lower back to the breaking point, and well, it sure as heck broke, couldn't even walk without a limp. Now, anytime I'm pressed for more than I've got or led to give I have a gentle reminder that I need to let my no be NO.
Give as led.
Cardinal TT (07-29-2017), Femme* (07-29-2017), Valiant Woman (07-30-2017)
My advice? Make them work for it. You give them supplies, food, and let them
Borrow your things, fine, but what are doing for you in return? Just taking and not giving back anything? I would say "ok sure, but I need some work done around the house, dishes done, floors mopped & vacuumed, lawn mowed.
Colonel (07-29-2017), Romans828 (07-29-2017), Valiant Woman (07-30-2017)
I'm not finding those verses in my Bible. I went back to the opening post and found this about the lady:
Later, she is described as "sweet." This doesn't sound to me like someone deliberately taking advantage of her neighbor. Not if she's exhibiting "great Christian values" as Redeemed says. I think some of you are reacting the way the world reacts. We have a "second mile" calling that is nonsensical to the world's way of thinking. I can't imagine cutting off aid to a sweet single mom who loves the Lord and exhibiting great Christian values. However, I do agree that her own church needs to be involved in helping her.. Doing the barely making ends meet, but a good lady with great Christian values, etc., Loves the Lord, and so do her children.
FaithfulOne (07-29-2017), Nikos (07-29-2017), njtom (08-09-2017)
Nikos (07-29-2017)