Freely You Received

While on my way to the mall at lunch time to practice prophetic evangelism, I encountered a pedestrian waiting to cross the street in the path of my planned right turn. I made eye contact and motioned to let her know that I would yield the right of way so that she could cross.

As she crossed, she approached the passenger-side window of my car and gestured by way of requesting that I lower the window. Not having recently lowered the window, I had some difficulty figuring out how to do so. When I finally got the window down, she explained that the bus she had hoped to take to a nearby city would not honor her transfer ticket and she lacked the money to purchase the necessary fare.

I told her that I'd give her what I had, which was only a little over $10. She thanked me and I said a brief blessing over her.

During lunch I reflected on this encounter and, at first, I was a bit discouraged. I keep telling God that I'm on duty 24x7 and He keeps bringing me people when I think I'm on a five-minute break, so to speak. If I'd been better prepared, I might have been able to verbally share something of more significance with this woman or otherwise minister more significantly to her need. But, perhaps God knew that I'd err by saying or doing too much, if given the chance. I did my best and I have to trust that He will use what I did to bring about His purpose for her life.

Some readers may be concerned about my decision to give money to a panhandler, who may use the money to purchase drugs or debauchery of some kind. Or worse yet, the woman may have been a scammer. I've heard cases of scammers quickly and effortlessly gathering considerable sums through making fraudulent pleas.

But, some time ago, I decided it was better to be defrauded of $10 ninety-nine times than fail to give $10 to someone who truly needs it. Jesus said, "Freely you received, freely give" (Matt. 10:8). This saying is commonly applied to ministry but I believe it applies equally well to anything we're capable of giving. In one sense, we have earned our wages. But, in another and more important sense, we have nothing that came by any means other than grace. It all belongs to Him and I'm blessed that today Jesus gave me a small opportunity to demonstrate what I believe.

Blessings,