What If?

So, we just got of a cruise from Sydney to Airlie Beach and back to Sydney. We are taking a train to Lithgow, then a bus to Bathurst, NSW.

I am way too nice, Martha says.

We got approached by a seemingly frantic older lady that sounded partially deaf. She asked hurriedly for $5 dollars. Martha, right away said "no!" Me, after Martha's response said "sorry, I can't help you"...then the guilt came.

There are tons of scammers. We see them everywhere as we travel. Still, in the face of scripture, how do you know for sure?

I have heard ministers say to help everyone anyway, though that was within a Food Bank ministry as a church. Even there, you get people asking for food who don't really need it.

It is a ministry though, with a purpose to hopefully present the Gospel by example. Not so, with a lady at a train station.

However, what if she really needed help? What if something desperate happened to the woman? How would I want to be treated if I had a disastrous situation and really needed funds for a train ticket?

The train ticket was for $1 each. Why would the woman need $5? If she was a scammer, $5 every few minutes from generous people could quickly add up to quite a bit of money, money specifically given to someone who is in need.

If a scam, the level of evil really bugs me. I mean not only are they lying to steal money, but they are stealing money that would normally be given to someone who is actually in need!

Luke 6:30

[30] Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back.

He didn't say "to everyone in need, but not scammers".

He didn't.

Still, if no one gave, there would be no scammers! They are a pain and creating a challenge for those of faith.

Wisdom is also a scriptural thing. Giving money to liars and thieves is not good, unless it is done with a Gospel presentation. Who knows? Perhaps they will repent and see God?

On a train station platform? If I had the time. If I could have presented the truth... Yes, I would have done it for a scammer at the cost of $5 dollars.

Worth it.

However, these scammers are moving fast between intended "suckers". I gave her nothing.

However, bugged by the scenario and having concerns over possible validity to the woman's need, I pointed her out to a nearby attendant...

He approached the woman politely, and she responded by quickly exiting the platform.

Definitely a scammer.

Feeling a bit justified, I moved on. Yet it still really bugs me.

"Should I have given her money anyway?

Martha gave her a firm NO. Martha is better at decerning evil hearts than I am.

I am too nice as she says. Ah, but God made me that way...on purpose. He also gave me Martha as a wife...also, on purpose.

I hear God. I know this.

If God had really wanted me to assert my husbandly authority, He would have made that clear.

He did not. So, instead, I trusted God and did what my wife was firm about.

"Sorry, I can't help you."

Faith can be very complicated. It can be really simple.

Trusting God, God who is in control of all circumstances. God who considers me His work, not mine. Isn't going to cleverly trick me with circumstances to prove to anyone else that I am not gracious enough.

His tests are for me to see, areas I need to know Him better...and then watch Him work on them in His sometimes subtle, sometimes blatant, way.

I am His work.

I like watching Him work.

Especially in the little things.

Things like understanding the difference between a scammer and someone's really in need.

Trusting His plan, His power, and my importance to Him, IS all we need to do.

The truth is, when you trust Him...there is no "What if?"