Bible Question: How long should you help someone who doesn't want to help themselves? My friend has been helping a single woman and her children for the last 2 years. The woman has promised to go to church on several occasions, but changes her mind at the last minute after people show up on her doorstep. She lives in an outlying area and this is over a 45 minute drive. My friend (through the church) has paid for prescriptions, food, Christmas presents for the children, given her clothes for herself and the family, given her furniture, cash, etc., but this woman has never come to our church or let anyone talk to her about the gospel. Her children are out of control and threw things at my friend and swore at her. Half of us think this woman has no intention of changing or wanting to change and is just using us for her own selfish reasons and the other half think we should be charitable. I believe in being charitable, but I think this goes beyond that, especially after 2 years of this. This Christmas, we wanted to meet her and her family (so far only a few people have met her and only for a short time). Anyway, she only wants to get the presents for the kids and not meet anyone else. What do you think? |
Bible Answer: hello...i think it is awesome for your friend and the church to go the extra mile for this family. i don't have a clear cut answer for you...only God does, but in the gospels jesus says if you have two of something to give the other away...and anyone who asks for something, you should give them beyond what they ask for. when it comes to sharing the gospel the new testament is clear that we should strive to share, but yet to wipe the dust off our feet and move on for those who continue to reject. in my personal experience i find that attraction is just as important as promotion. if she won't take to your attempts to minister to her... --well, if it were me i may try to be less aggressive in my approach and just share as much love as possible. hopefully they will one day catch on to that and ask about why your so loving. i think that the gift of salvation is free and open to anyone who wants it...but maybe not everyone is at that place where they are ready...while we are doing our job down here...God is doing His job up there - and we are part of his tools. so , i'd maybe suggest not giving up on this family...perhaps you guys the first to ever show so much kindness to her...don't give up now. i'll be praying for you all...your question was an encouragement to me, because i often feel like giving up on people too. my mom has been struggeling with my dad to go to church. finally she stopped preaching to him but continued to show the love and continued to pray...and 20 years later he finally broke down and accepted the lord (last month), and i wonder what would have happened if she quit praying for him after 19 years. it wasn't until he saw her steadfast unconditional love that he recognized something greater working on our family. God bless you and your friends and this family. |
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Questions and/or Subjects for NT general Archive 1 | Author | ||
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chasing god | ||
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GeorJoy | ||
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grantathome21 | ||
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carnold1 | ||
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applejuice | ||
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drich | ||
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dat | ||
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bravostarr | ||
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GJH | ||
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sedec | ||
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Meadow |