The Skeptical Muscle

What is your immediate reaction to this?

"He's just going to buy drugs."

"She needs to get a job and stop asking for handouts.  She just doesn't want to help herself."

"I've heard about these people.  They stand on the corner with a sign, but they live in a 3,000 square foot house ..."

When we see that person on the corner or outside the convenience store asking for help - for many (if not all) - part of us says, "I wonder what the real story is."  Our skeptical muscle kicks in and, well, we don't want to be duped.  This is a natural human reaction.  But is this what the Bible teaches us?  No, it doesn't.  Actually, it teaches us quite the opposite.

In fact, most of life's instructions given to us by God are opposite of what we naturally want to do.

• We want to hate and take revenge upon - not love - our enemies.  But God says clearly to love our enemies without pause and without grumbling about it.  Matthew 5:44
• We want to hold back love or respect from our spouse until they show US the respect or love we deserve ... not give love and/or respect unconditionally as God instructs.  Ephesians 5:22-33
• We want to use our God-given blessings to our own advantage, not for others, doing God's work (including helping others before helping ourselves) like God asks.  1 Corinthians 12:7
• We want to protect ourselves completely from the negative repercussions of scams, cheats, and mooches, so we don't look like fools.  We put so much effort into this that we miss out on the chance to help for helping's sake.  We lean toward the "they're likely trying to cheat us" assumption so much that we leave no room for "maybe they're not cheating us - maybe they honestly need our help."  
• And when we give, we expect a "thank you" or a pat on the back, or to know that they really needed the help as mentioned above, when God asks us to give simply because He asks us to, not for what we expect to receive in return.  

I for one have been horrible about this for the majority of my life.  And I'm still not the best about it (but I AM working on it).  It takes strong and steady faith to simply trust God at His Word ... but He asks us to do just that.  Funny thing is, I can't think of a time when things haven't worked out after I decided to just let go and trust Him.  Logic says that His infinite wisdom might actually be more reliable than my flawed and finite wisdom.

Unfortunately for us, our emotions/feelings get in the way, don't they?  But how often can "feelings" be trusted?  Heck, when do they not get us in trouble?  Think back on the decisions you've made solely on feelings and emotions, and tell me how those decisions worked out for you and for others.  I know from my experience that they've not worked out at all.

NOTE:  To be clear, I'm not suggesting that God wants us to be suckers.  It's clear in the Bible that we are to "discern" - to use our minds.  But if it's not clear what the real case is, we should lean toward giving without skepticism rather than withholding because of skepticism.   

Here's a thought that I believe is Biblical:  Help without worrying about it so much.  If there is a need - give, help, comfort, love.  Period.  Don't worry about their motives or your reputation.  Just do it.  If the recipient is not on the up and up, that is between him or her and God.  It is your role to give if you are able.  If you have and someone else does not, give (Luke 3:11).  What are you doing with the surplus?  Hoarding it?  Protecting your future?

If God loves the sparrows enough to feed them without storing anything up, how much more will He provide for us?  Yeah - that's in the Bible, too.  Isn't securing ourselves with stored up money the same as worshipping or trusting in "money" to be our god?  Isn't it telling the real God that we don't trust Him at His Word that He will provide for us what we need?  So conversely, isn't giving - when you have and someone else is in need - like saying, "God, I trust you.  I am your hands and feet to this person in need.  I trust you to secure me more than money ever could."

Tomorrow, you will see someone who is in need ... or maybe they aren't REALLY in need.  That's your skepticism muscle flaring up.  Rub some Ben Gay on it and help that person.  Here's the caveat that I suggest - take it or leave it:  Before giving them anything, ask them their name.  Treat them like a human - like one of your brothers or sisters, created by God just like you.  Maybe talk to them for a bit - get to know them.  If they ask for money, ask them why.  If they say they are hungry, feed them.  If they are cold, give them your coat.  If they need help with anything else, help them.  But if they insist upon money when you could provide otherwise ... pray for them and walk away.  No one "needs" money.  No where on Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs does it show the good old greenback.

We are all here as God's instruments.  I fully believe that.  I also believe that God puts us in these situations for Him to act through us.  He is there with us in those scenarios where someone is in need (or at least seems to be in need).  And He's hoping that we'll not be a hand that is paralyzed by skepticism, but a strong hand extending out with His love to our brothers and sisters in need.

God, I ask that you strengthen me in times when I'm skeptical.  To discern, but then to act on your instructions.  We are your hands and feet.  Help us to do as Jesus would do in all things.  We ask this in Jesus' holy and precious name.  Amen.