"Give to Anyone Who Asks"

So I've been stuck in Luke's account of Jesus' life. I can't get past some of the things he records Jesus saying. I can't get past how contrary to my cultural upbringing these sayings are. I can't get past my greed and judgment of others.

In a third-world country with over 40% unemployment, begging is a way of life for many. And for all at some point, begging is a must to make ends meet and to have food on the table. As a foreigner with what is perceived as a literal unlimited amount of money, what is the proper response when asked for money? By friends? By neighbors or acquaintances? By strangers? By kids on the streets? Travel to any impoverished country and you've probably wondered the same thing. Anyone been south of the border lately?

Luke 12:33 "Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it."

Luke 6:29-31 "If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also. Give to anyone who asks; and when things are taken away from you, don't try to get them back. Do to others as you would like them to do to you."

This guy comes to my house selling cookies that most Indonesians can't afford. I buy some and they're mediocre. He comes the following week with the same goods; this time I don't buy but say thanks for coming. The following week he comes again saying that he has a job starting the next week but still needs to make ends meet. I don't buy because I don't like the cookies, but I do give him some food for his family.

Last week he came again in a panic with sons in tote. He says his wife went to hospital and his sons need new shoes and he can't afford food. I'm inclined to give him food and some small money because of what Jesus said, but I don't trust him. When folks come panicked, it seems put on, especially when they use Christian rhetoric but don't seem to have any faith. (Notice the judgment coming into play here.)

Yesterday he came again in a panic with just one son. He said his son swallowed a toy. But the son looked fine, and when he pulled a duplicate of the toy out of his pocket for show, I thought something was being put on. Then I noticed that the toy was a small magnet with smooth, rounded edges. Something that could be passed easily. I laughed then addressing the boy, reassured him that he'd be fine; that I had swallowed worse as a child with no consequences. The father jumped in between me and the boy so the boy couldn't respond and said the boy was in terrible pain. That's when I was convinced something was up. The boy was smiling and at ease.

He said he prayed, so I said to have faith and not panic. He said he didn't know what to do, so I said to do nothing but love the boy and let the toy pass. He said he needed money, so I said good day.

How do I give to anyone who asks when my culture, my brain, and my moral compass won't allow it? In the text, Jesus doesn't clarify about circumstances or exceptions or qualifications. He just says to give. But I still don't like being lied to or taken advantage of because, as Don Miller says, "It feels like I'm losing something; like something is at risk here."