helping out potentual liers/forgivness

[ilovemetal]

this is something i've had to really get God to help me with. people that have lied to my face to get money.

there are a couple i'm reminded of that, at the time, and for some time after i longed to find them and take revenge. make them suffer for lying to me. i thin klying is one of the most offensive sins, personally.

anyways, i'm over that, i've forgiven them, thanks only to God. but the other day something came up, where this guy, could have been lying to me. i'm generally bad a seeing people for what they are, i couldn't be a cop, by any means.

so i'm driving and he runs up to my window and goes into this elaborite speel about how someone broke his windows of his truck, and how he's out of gas and he just need some cash to get some gas so he can get out of the city. it was quite convincing. (yes, the more i think about it the more i realize, i was duped)

so you know me, (do you?) i'm like, 'oh man, no prob, how much? how bout 60 bucks.' so he's happy, i'm feelin good i could help out someone, and we part ways. (the story is a little longer, but i'll spare you)

anyways, the point i'm getting at is, and this is something that was very, very hard for me, is to forgive people. liers, one who decieve you to take money, money you worked ever so hard for.

i pray for that guy all the time, when ever the devil temps me into anger over getting screwed, i pray for him, and think, God saw that. it's not up to me anymore. in the end he will be judged, and so will i. if i don't forgive him how can God forgive me.

i guess, i'm wondering how you go about forgiving people? like i said, for me, i leave it to God, knowing he will deal with it in His time. that puts me at ease. is that maybe wrong to think that way?

[walked]

Hi ilovemetal,
Its nice that you have a giving heart and compassion for Gods creatures and I hope you don't abandon that charitable heart but hope you bridal it and temper it with Gods wisdom and instruction found in Gods word.

I'm not going to sugar coat this.
Don't put your hands on the first passer by to bless them. That is my advice to you concerning what you've posted about how the fallen world takes advantage of you. I've learned that advice from studying Gods word/letter/homework sent to us from heaven (the bible).
Study Gods word so you wont be a mark or target to be taken advantage of by this fallen world.

I think you should forgive those who have taken advantage of you but, I also think you should pray for wisdom to be a good steward of what God has given to you, and pray for wisdom to apply the knowledge He has made available to you in His word/letter/homework sent to us from heaven (the bible)
In other words "do your homework man!" and these things will stop happening to you.

[ilovemetal]

thanks walked.
that's some good stuff right there you just said.

[ServantofTruth]

I think you need to stop giving people what they ask you for and give them what they need. Now i bet in other areas of your life, someone says something to you, and you immediatly think - they're not thinking straight. So you reply not what they want to hear - but what they need to hear. Perhaps non believers/ seekers are an area where you do this?

In this country we have homeless people who sell a magazine called 'The Big Issue.' The aim is to help them into mainstream jobs and housing. I know Christians who would never walk past our local man without buying a magazine - i think half the money goes to the seller. Their concience/ faith won't let them.

Whereas i never buy a magazine. Why? Because i can see the original aim of the organisation has failed. Our local seller has continued to sell the magazines for YEARS and still lives in a caravan. The local paper has done articles on him and it is clear to me, he likes the easy life style and has no intention of visiting the job centre on 50 yards from where he stands.

Why work 40 or 50 hours a week, and pay bills like the rest of us - when you can sell magazines for an hour or so a few times a week?

Next time someone asks for money especially, offer to help in a more practical way. If they immediatly back off, they are probably trying to con you. Like don't give the beggar money, offer to buy them a warm drink or a sandwich.

It is sad we can't give freely to those in genuine need at all times - but even large charities like soup kitchens, housing associations, find people often only want help to stay where they are, but have an easier life.

Perhaps working through a church or christian mission organisation, spreading the gospel would provide opportunities to give financially and practically to those in genuine need. I know my personal outreach has provided a few opportunities lately to help those in need.

Love and Peace, SofTy.

[Buck shot]

i guess, i'm wondering how you go about forgiving people? like i said, for me, i leave it to God, knowing he will deal with it in His time. that puts me at ease. is that maybe wrong to think that way?

Being servants of the Most High God we should expect to be taken advantage of to a point. The wonderful thing about who we serve is that when folks think they are getting us God will bless us.

Let me try to put it a differant way. When we help someone knowing that they will not ever repay us we will be rewarded for this by the Lord.

Something that i always try to remember is that we cannot outgive God. He wants us to use what He has given us wisely but if you feel the need to give but later find out that they decieved you to get the money, let God be the judge for them and the rewarder for you. Your heart was where it was supposed to be.;)

[Bethany67]

I buy the Big Issue; so what if your guy lives in a caravan and doesn't want a 9-5 job? How do you know what bills he does and doesn't pay? Have you asked him? He's selling a product, which is an interesting read, and getting paid for it.

[Sold Out]

i guess, i'm wondering how you go about forgiving people?

You remember how much YOU have been forgiven. Christ paid the ultimate price for your sins so you could be forgiven.

"Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." Colossians 3:13

I would also pray and ask God to give you some spiritual discernment.

[ilovemetal]

I would also pray and ask God to give you some spiritual discernment.

YES. spiritual AND humanity (word?) discernment.

[ServantofTruth]

I buy the Big Issue; so what if your guy lives in a caravan and doesn't want a 9-5 job? How do you know what bills he does and doesn't pay? Have you asked him? He's selling a product, which is an interesting read, and getting paid for it.

I was addressing my comments to the original poster. I am happy to discuss your difference of opinion over the 'Big Issue' seller organisation, but lets do it privately or on our profile pages - so as to not derail the original topic. SofTy.