Presbyterian Blogs: Deserving Our Good - Proverbs 3:27

Proverbs 3:27             Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act.

How do you know who deserves your good? It’s a strange question to ask, but it’s one that a lot of churches are asking these days.

In Knoxville, many churches subscribe to what’s called “Charity Check.” It’s an online service which provides information on people who ask for help. It lets churches see how much a person or a family has received from different local congregations over a period of 3-5 years. Sometimes the charity given amounts to thousands of dollars. This alerts the church to two things: a) that the person is in a long term serious situation or b) that the person is actually milking the system.

In both cases, the good given depends upon the circumstances. Money may be requested, but sometimes advice is only given. In the cases where charity abuse is suspected, the request is declined. That might sound harsh or judgmental, but it’s actually good stewardship of available money. Most Christian agencies work this way – our congregations are at long last beginning to catch up.

So, who deserves our good? Those in crisis; those who are vulnerable; and those who have a real need. It’s up to us to use the gifts of discernment and the information available to make sure that the money which is collected and distributed is given to those who have a genuine need, and not those who are driven by greed.

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, You once stated that the poor are always with us and that we should do for them whatever we can. Help us to help the real poor and grant us the discernment to do this wisely, compassionately, and faithfully. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is currently the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment or ask questions of today’s message, please send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s image is one of John’s Psalm series. It depicts a verse from Psalm 70. If you would like to see a larger version of the drawing, please click on the following link: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3377/3524347556_7a6e6fea63_b.jpg