There has been slogan used for many years now on a popular commentary on our local Christian radio station. The commentary is from a local Detroit inner city mission ministry and their slogan is "A Hand Up Not A Hand Out"
My question is, how do you know?
We had some very good and lengthy discussion at church last night about this very topic. We want to be "the church", we want to help and serve and give to those in need, and to really help others the way that Jesus would do. But the question kept coming back around, are we helping those in need or just empowering them to stay stuck?
Obviously the best way is to be able to build relationship and model good morals, good life choices etc. while helping and handing out, in hopes that your input into the life of the person you are working with will rub off and open doors and help open their heart to change.
But what about those who need help, or appear to need help, that you may never see again, and never know if you are being scammed or really helping?
The answer we came up with is use a bit of discernment, try to give something other than money if you can, but certainly try to give and try to help if the situation seems right and you have the means to help.
What do you think? We'd love some feedback...
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