Help Someone in Need

How does it feel to help someone in need? As we look at people around, there are so many of them who need help. So many of them who don't know where to go. 

Do you know that God works through our hands to help others? Of course! But when we help, it should not be out of our emotion. It should be in faith as we abide in Him.

The word says...

You must actively help the hungry and feed the oppressed. Then your light will dispel the darkness, and your darkness will be transformed into noonday. -Isaiah 58:10

I had my own experience of helping somebody out of my own emotion. I was feeling pity with the person whom I thought I knew well enough.

When we were renting an apartment, we had an aircon cleaner in the person of Christian. He did it twice in 6 months interval. After about 3 months, he texted me again if he could clean our aircon. I refused to his offer since our aircon was not yet due for cleaning. It was too soon had I let him. He was asking for favor because his daughter was brought to the hospital due to dengue fever. Learning about this situation really touched my heart, having a daughter myself. I felt sorry for him. On the other hand, Divine and I knew that we were financially challenged at that time. 

I was having an appointment so I had to leave my family at the apartment and headed my way to the appointment. While driving, I tuned in to DZAS and the messenger was having an exposition on, "I am sending you out like sheep surrounded by wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves."-Matthew 10:16. He also gave some practical examples. I thought about Christian and the possibility that he was just swindling me. I brushed off the thought. In fact, I left an envelope with P400 for Christian and instructed him to pick it up from our compound guard on duty. That was the advanced payment for the next aircon cleaning. I also instructed the guard to not allow him to enter the gate. I also called up Divine to just lock the door. 

After an appointment, on my way home, Christian texted me again begging for help because he badly needed P3,000 more. When I arrived at the gate of our apartment, he was waiting there. He showed me some pictures of his so-called daughter and wife. I asked him some info about the hospital where his daughter was confined, the name of his daughter and many more. I did my mental note taking.

 Every time I am faced with issues on poverty, my heart softens. Maybe because I could empathize. That was exactly what I felt for Christian but I had only to give P1,000 more to the P400 I already gave. I prayed for him, at the same time, there's this inner drive to  investigate the situation. I thought of going with him to the hospital. I also thought, what if it wasn't true and I will just be trapped under his scheme? I asked for Divine's input. "What is God leading you?", her immediate reply.

Divine and I prayed about it before going to bed that night. We sought God about it. 

Early morning of the following day, I received a text from him that he really needed my help. If it's okay with me, he can have his CP pawned at P3000. He needed to buy medicines for her daughter. Since Divine and I had to bring Ardi to the clinic that day, I asked him to see us at St. Luke's with the receipts prescribed by the doctor. I dropped Divine and Ardi at St. Luke's while Dana and I went to Burger King. We waited for Christian there. As soon as I received a message from him, I saw him from a distance, across the street, from our table inside the Burger King. It was so vivid. There was a smile on his face from a distance with another guy accompanying him. I doubted. There's a strong impression in my mind that something wrong is going on. I was already operating more on my mind over what I felt for his situation. As soon as they approached us at the table, I also noticed that the guard changed his post and stood near us at the exit side door. Must be God sent help for us. I asked Christian for the list of medicines prescribed by the doctor but he had nothing to show. I asked how his daughter was and in what hospital. He mentioned a different hospital name. There were inconstancies already. It was a red flag indication for me. So sad. I thought I was helping the right person. I told him that I cannot help him. I told him that we are missionaries. I told him about the value of money for us. He defended himself and even asked me to go with them to see the proof. Worst might have happened if we did. 

I called up the hospital to confirm about his daughter who was confined there but none of her name was in the list. 

I was swindled. 

I thank God that above all, I could still see His hand of protection. I appreciate His way of teaching me His valuable lesson on being sensitive to Him and His wisdom available if I ask in faith. 

But if anyone is deficient in wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without reprimand, and it will be given to him. -James 1:5

I will guide you in the way of wisdom and I will lead you in upright paths. -Proverbs 4:11