Comments on: Taken http://www.disciplemexico.org/2006/03/taken.html News, notes and personal reflection from the Godzwa family during their mission to make disciples in Mexico Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:48:22 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Danfucious http://www.disciplemexico.org/2006/03/taken.html/comment-page-1#comment-42 Danfucious Fri, 07 Apr 2006 18:49:00 +0000 http://disciplemexico.org/wordpress/2006/03/taken.html#comment-42 Oh man, sure Brady, get all spiritual! Ha! Ha! Here I was going to say something like, "OH, so now I know how you're using my support money" or something heartwarming and compassionate like that...but then again, that could just be the Kashi oozing out of me. (grin) On the serious side, the tough part about getting involved personally when you're not equipped to do it is that when you do, you also take the chance of placing your family at risk. So, do you open your home up to someone you don't know...trusting the person ins't a thief, pedofile or rapist? I'd say "no." However, contributing to an organization that does help the poor (and they typically can stretch your dollars farther than you could), perhaps volunteering some of your time with that organization and then directing those with needs to that organization may be an option to consider...it would probably also better train you to identify between scammers and the real thing. : ) Anyway, that was a neat story, Dave. Oh, on the way home from Texas, a guy came to me and asked me for money for gas so he could fill up his gas container. Instead, I filled up the gas container for him and gave it to him...scam or not, the way I feel is God knows my heart (why I give) and if someone scams me, well, God knows that person's heart too. Later! Oh man, sure Brady, get all spiritual! Ha! Ha! Here I was going to say something like, “OH, so now I know how you’re using my support money” or something heartwarming and compassionate like that…but then again, that could just be the Kashi oozing out of me. (grin)

On the serious side, the tough part about getting involved personally when you’re not equipped to do it is that when you do, you also take the chance of placing your family at risk. So, do you open your home up to someone you don’t know…trusting the person ins’t a thief, pedofile or rapist? I’d say “no.”

However, contributing to an organization that does help the poor (and they typically can stretch your dollars farther than you could), perhaps volunteering some of your time with that organization and then directing those with needs to that organization may be an option to consider…it would probably also better train you to identify between scammers and the real thing. : )

Anyway, that was a neat story, Dave. Oh, on the way home from Texas, a guy came to me and asked me for money for gas so he could fill up his gas container. Instead, I filled up the gas container for him and gave it to him…scam or not, the way I feel is God knows my heart (why I give) and if someone scams me, well, God knows that person’s heart too.

Later!

]]> By: Brady http://www.disciplemexico.org/2006/03/taken.html/comment-page-1#comment-41 Brady Fri, 31 Mar 2006 11:17:00 +0000 http://disciplemexico.org/wordpress/2006/03/taken.html#comment-41 Your experience in no different than many experience here in the States with pan-handlers. In all my years in working with the poor, I have never chosen to give money--a meal, a ride, the item that meets the need, yes those I give. In our charity and love we find it easy to provide money. Although it is the gift of money that allows us to feel as if we have helped, it is seldom the need. James 2 tells us not to simply bless with our words but to put action into our blessing of the poor. I think the gift of money is often a way of feeling like we have blessed someone, but truly meets our need to not be involved. I have often relied on the organization which provide assistance as, just like in this case, they know the people who try to scam. Keep the blog going. I love hearing about what's going on. Your experience in no different than many experience here in the States with pan-handlers. In all my years in working with the poor, I have never chosen to give money–a meal, a ride, the item that meets the need, yes those I give. In our charity and love we find it easy to provide money. Although it is the gift of money that allows us to feel as if we have helped, it is seldom the need. James 2 tells us not to simply bless with our words but to put action into our blessing of the poor. I think the gift of money is often a way of feeling like we have blessed someone, but truly meets our need to not be involved. I have often relied on the organization which provide assistance as, just like in this case, they know the people who try to scam.

Keep the blog going. I love hearing about what’s going on.

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