To what extent?

Ok...we know it's "Christ like" to help others.I also see that sometimes when I say there are times that are bad for me to do that, I might get "critical" replies.But there are certain circumstances....like, remember,in Jesus day, that WAS their job. They probably got fed,so didn't need to shop,didn't have cars that needed to be serviced,their wives would cook for them,and there were certain errands that we have now that they didn't have back then, so our time is more "filled in".I don't think life was as "fast paced" as now.Also, family lived closeby then,so they wasn't usually a case where family would come in from out of town, and you promised to spend time with them.So what I'm saying,does God when commanding us to help others, take into account that the circumstances are different now, and it should be adjusted accordingly?In other words, if the person asks for something at a time that is really bad for you{and at the last minute} and also, out of 7.5 billion people in the world, "you" are "the only one" who can do it?{besides even that,sometimes it's something they can do for themselves, but "get in the habit' of "making it easier for themselves" by continually asking you, isn't that encouraging them in a bad habit, like laziness, and not being self sufficient?So how would I be helping them then?So the ones who say,I'm "wrong" to at times .turn down others for help,{without knowing the circumstances} isn't that being judgemental of me, and we're also not to judge?So, Does God take this into account?Well, remember, Jesus said to the apostles,when the crowd was bearing down on them and they didn't have time to eat,"Let's go to a quiet place".But I'll ask you the same question I put on myself__if you have say an elderly parent, and they die, and you told everyone when the funeral is, then just as you're leaving the house for the funeral, some neighbor "corrals you" to do something,{right at that minute} would you cancel the funeral to help the neighbor?I think God understands those things.{Also,some ask you to do things against our faith, like get them a carton of cigerettes.Should we do something sinful for them, just to say we "helped"? I think we should use judgement.What if a lady friend asks you for money to get an abortion?I say we use judgement, not just willy nilly help everybody with all things.

 

[Orland]

Amen

 

[Brother James]

Ok...we know it's "Christ like" to help others.I also see that sometimes when I say there are times that are bad for me to do that, I might get "critical" replies.But there are certain circumstances....like, remember,in Jesus day, that WAS their job. They probably got fed,so didn't need to shop,didn't have cars that needed to be serviced,their wives would cook for them,and there were certain errands that we have now that they didn't have back then, so our time is more "filled in".I don't think life was as "fast paced" as now.Also, family lived closeby then,so they wasn't usually a case where family would come in from out of town, and you promised to spend time with them.So what I'm saying,does God when commanding us to help others, take into account that the circumstances are different now, and it should be adjusted accordingly?In other words, if the person asks for something at a time that is really bad for you{and at the last minute} and also, out of 7.5 billion people in the world, "you" are "the only one" who can do it?{besides even that,sometimes it's something they can do for themselves, but "get in the habit' of "making it easier for themselves" by continually asking you, isn't that encouraging them in a bad habit, like laziness, and not being self sufficient?So how would I be helping them then?So the ones who say,I'm "wrong" to at times .turn down others for help,{without knowing the circumstances} isn't that being judgemental of me, and we're also not to judge?So, Does God take this into account?Well, remember, Jesus said to the apostles,when the crowd was bearing down on them and they didn't have time to eat,"Let's go to a quiet place".But I'll ask you the same question I put on myself__if you have say an elderly parent, and they die, and you told everyone when the funeral is, then just as you're leaving the house for the funeral, some neighbor "corrals you" to do something,{right at that minute} would you cancel the funeral to help the neighbor?I think God understands those things.{Also,some ask you to do things against our faith, like get them a carton of cigerettes.Should we do something sinful for them, just to say we "helped"? I think we should use judgement.What if a lady friend asks you for money to get an abortion?I say we use judgement, not just willy nilly help everybody with all things.

Yes there are circumstances that would stop any of us from going to a funeral! Didn't Jesus instruct someone wanting to follow Him to let the dead bury the dead? If we are in a hurry, on way to work or any appointment and we see someone lying on the sidewalk bleeding and alone should we walk right by and be on time or wait with them calling an ambulance praying with them and waiting until someone else could or would stay with them all the while putting pressure on an open wound? I could or would blow off part of a day for that. If someone is holding a sign asking for help, do we need to stop what we are doing to help them? No, of course not, we can pray for them to get the help that they need from Jesus. Quite a lot of people are scamming us with their signs and we don't need to give them money. If we have time, we can share Jesus with them or offer to take them to dinner but why should we give them money especially when we don't know what it's for?

 

[Steven Bobb]

Yes there are circumstances that would stop any of us from going to a funeral! Didn't Jesus instruct someone wanting to follow Him to let the dead bury the dead? If we are in a hurry, on way to work or any appointment and we see someone lying on the sidewalk bleeding and alone should we walk right by and be on time or wait with them calling an ambulance praying with them and waiting until someone else could or would stay with them all the while putting pressure on an open wound? I could or would blow off part of a day for that. If someone is holding a sign asking for help, do we need to stop what we are doing to help them? No, of course not, we can pray for them to get the help that they need from Jesus. Quite a lot of people are scamming us with their signs and we don't need to give them money. If we have time, we can share Jesus with them or offer to take them to dinner but why should we give them money especially when we don't know what it's for?

I would make a judgement call on the first thing you mentioned,but also say we would need to use judgement in general. Sometimes it's something the person can do themselves, and we're encouraging them in the habit of laziness by giving in to them--especially if they make a habit of it.Some are just users, why encourage them in a bad habit?Then they'll think there's nothing wrong with it and keep doing it.With scams, yes,once in New York, in the subway station, a guy was with the sign and dark glasses,stating he was blind and needs assistance. When the people left, he took off the glasses and said."You know people are stupid.You know that."{Admitting it was a scam.}So I say,use judgement per situation.Like, if someone asked to borrow money to see a prostitute, that would be assisting them to do wrong.I still say, use judgement per situation.

 

[Jennsen]

Follow Jesus all the way to heaven. That is the purpose of life on earth.