Expecting Reward

[KrimsonDraegon]

“Let me see, I need milk, bacon, apples…” you check off your list as you walk through the parking lot towards the store when, “Excuse me Miss, but could you spare some change?” Oh no. Another homeless vagrant asks you for some change. He’ll probably use it to go off and buy some drugs, or alcohol. “Umm,” you begin, searching for an excuse to throw off the pitiful vagabond, “I only have my credit cards with me, I don’t have any cash.”

Pitiful.

Am I speaking of the beggar, or you? If you can’t answer that truthfully then you have a long way to go down the Christian road.

Or maybe you fulfill the other category? You do give a bit of money, or maybe even offer to pay the pitiful drifter in exchange for some services? (trees trimmed, porch painted, etc.) This is admirable, but in what state of mind do you offer this money, food, whatever you offer the tramp? Do you give it expecting reward? That is even more pitiful.

We should be able to give our money without expecting earthly, or heavenly reward. If we search for reward in giving out gifts to man, then we are doing it for the wrong reason. The only reward we should think of receiving is the warm, generous feeling in your heart.

Christianity is the religion where we worship Christ. More importantly, though, we should use Christ as our model for life. He would help those in need and never expect reward. If we are to help then we should do it like Christ.

Imagine this instead, you walk through the gates of Heaven, and you see all of your friends and loved ones on your way to see God, imagine explaining to Him why you didn’t give that vagrant some cash to make it through the day.

“Well, God, I was enjoying your blessings, I got a raise that week… And…umm…I thought he would go…get…drunk?” (Oh man, I’m in deep poo here…)

Let’s toss another log onto the bonfire of Shame, shall we?

How many of us judge these people? I’ll be the first to step up and take some blame. It is true that when I am confronted by a hobo (yes, I think of them as hobos, as horrible as that is) and he’ll ask me for some cash. The first thing I do is notice the alcohol on his breath, maybe the tattered shirt, scraggly beard, maybe even with a few twigs in it.

It is human nature to judge people, subconsciously even. When we are on the football field, we size up our opponent, does he have missing teeth? What do his teammates call him? (Dozer? Oh man, I always get stuck with the fun ones…) Maybe even wonder if he uses steroids… I mean come on! The guy looks like he can bench a moose, surely he didn’t get that from simple football practice.

In the store we do it also. Does out check-out person have neat hair? Does our check-out person have a clean uniform? Does the woman helping me find groceries smell nice? Do they have neat nails?

I will start another thread going more in depth about judging others, so please let’s not get to far into that subject here.

Basically if we see someone walking towards us, we will automatically judge him. Do we give him money? If we do, what can I expect to receive?

My point is that we should skip this chain of thought altogether. This is the one we should follow instead. “He needs help. How can I help him?”

I think God can understand if you see a guy in a hockey mask and a chainsaw on the side of the road hitchhiking and you don’t want to pick him up. I think God can understand if a group of bikers (no offense bikers, God loves you to!) all carrying chains, and clubs starts to approach you in a parking lot and you don’t want to help them. I do not think God can understand it when you are approached and refuse to help those in need; even if you are having a hard week.

Remember the parable of the Pharisees that gave tons of gold and silver to the temple, then made fun of the poor, beggar woman how gave only two copper pieces? She gave everything she had, which is more than what the two rich Pharisees gave. So even if you can only spare a little, in God’s eyes at least you are attempting to help others.

 

[Aimee30]

I understand what you are getting at. Yes, we are guilty of judging others. And yes, we should give in good faith. I know some people on this forum who will disagree with you though.

 

[cometomorrow]

You bring up a good argument. I try to give when I can because I hope it will help them. If time allows, I will engage them in conversation, offer to take the to a place for a meal. We cannot give and expect anything in return. I try not to judge others, lest I be judged. But I admit, I still do sometimes. I catch myself and ask, "where's the love?" I'm even better at catching others in the middle of their judging statements. I play devil's advocate alot, I try to see the possibility of good in every situation.
cheers

 

[Kira Faye]

Alot of the time I only have enough money for myself.... is it wrong for me not to want to share the very little I have so I can scrap and existance?

 

[Marilyn]

it is a normal human thing to judge others by Looks, Size and/or figure.

I can openly say that I have gave money to homeless and turned down some too.

people tend to put them selves in front and let everything else just pass.

u see it all the time..

think,, if u were spare $1 for every homeless person u see when out shopping or driving through the streets, you can easily give out $50 to $60 depending on were your travels take u.

it is not crime not to spare change, but it's the feeling you get after which makes it bad.

 

[KrimsonDraegon]

Kira Faye,

I am not saying to follow what the televanglists say and donate $1,000 a pop; but when you have a little extra I think you should. I do not know your situation, and I am not telling you how to spend your life/money/etc. I am just pointing out that a little money here and there can go a long way. My mother always tries to get them a job, or working, or something. It's better than dishing out money and having them come back over and over. Don't just give a man a fish, teach him to fish.

 

[dkara]

When I am called upon to give, I do. Why? Because if I were in need, I would hope folks would be generous. Because I detach myself from any expectation of what 'they' will do with it---my quest is to be generous. Theirs is to use the gift wisely.

I also give because my mother was homeless before she died. I hope someone gave her some change. I hope someone carried old blankets in their car to hand to folks who look like they need them [I carry blankets and old jackets in the car]. I hope when she vomited on the pavement that someone offered her a glass of water.

I give because it is asked and I am rich with love.

 

[praying]

When I am called upon to give, I do. Why? Because if I were in need, I would hope folks would be generous. Because I detach myself from any expectation of what 'they' will do with it---my quest is to be generous. Theirs is to use the gift wisely.

I also give because my mother was homeless before she died. I hope someone gave her some change. I hope someone carried old blankets in their car to hand to folks who look like they need them [I carry blankets and old jackets in the car]. I hope when she vomited on the pavement that someone offered her a glass of water.

I give because it is asked and I am rich with love.

I don't always give mainly from fear, I being a woman.

But I also don't give sometimes because of the idea of what will they do with the change but I think you have best idea; detach yourself "from any expectation of what 'they' will do with it---my quest is to be generous. Theirs is to use the gift wisely." Really the Bible says to help, it doesn't say help if, it just says help so I think I need to aspire to that ideal.

 

[wowbagger]

Do not most christians believe that a good life of works and/or faith gets them the "reward" of eternal life in heaven? Do not most Christians expect such a reward?

I could find many quotes on this board where people justify belief based on fear of God and the reward of heaven - and threaten others with this line of reasoning also.

Generally, I do good because I like to. It makes me feel like I'm making a positive difference. That is already enough reward for me.

 

[Jb_Ca]

Do not most christians believe that a good life of works and/or faith gets them the "reward" of eternal life in heaven? Do not most Christians expect such a reward?

I could find many quotes on this board where people justify belief based on fear of God and the reward of heaven - and threaten others with this line of reasoning also.

Generally, I do good because I like to. It makes me feel like I'm making a positive difference. That is already enough reward for me.

I believe that our reward itself is eternal life. We certainly do not deserve this reward, however as Ephesians 2:8-9 states, it is a gift from God.

 

[seebs]

Alot of the time I only have enough money for myself.... is it wrong for me not to want to share the very little I have so I can scrap and existance?

That depends. From you, it's probably not wrong. From the man who can barely make payments on his second Hummer, maybe it's a little questionable.

Be wary of the gradually-increasing standard of "what I need" that often comes with wealth.