WISE GIVERS

Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.” Matthew 10:16 (NKJV)

Living generously is exciting. It gives you a sense of purpose and anticipation as you start every morning thinking, “Who can I bless today?”

While I love finding ways to meet people's needs, I’m also very aware of what I call “manipulators.” Have you ever been manipulated for money?

Years ago, there was a man attending our church who was a pro at it. He would walk around looking dejected, and inevitably a kind couple would say, “Hey, are you okay? You look a little down.”

He would then spin a story about how he couldn’t pay his hydro bills, afford groceries or even keep his house. In the end, the couple would take compassion on him and write him a cheque for over a thousand dollars. Unfortunately, this man had already taken advantage of a dozen families before he was caught.

Not all manipulators are found in the pews. Some are found behind pulpits too. I’ve been in church services or watched pastors on TV who guilted people into giving. But when you’re made to feel rotten and self-centred for not contributing, that’s emotional manipulation. It’s not a good feeling, and I’m sure you can relate!

With that said, don’t let manipulators turn you off from giving altogether. You may have been burned in the past, but God’s desire is still for us to be generous with the blessings He has poured into our lives. Let’s look for ways to meet needs, but let’s do it with wisdom. As Jesus described in Matthew 10, we can be as cunning as serpents and as harmless as doves at the same time.