Struggling with a decision
I'm struggling with a choice we made this evening. I think it was right ...
Some of us were standing around talking after evening services when the preacher same looking for advice. Ken's been here less than a month and still not up on all our ways of doing things.
A guy called wanting assistance. He's in Chicago, car broke down, needs a room for the night, wants us to pay for it by credit card over the phone. Gave a pone number for a Motel 6, which checked out legit. Tells preacher he lives here, been here a few times with his girlfriend. He gave a name, said he was a big red headed guy. Preacher said "Can I call you back?"
6 of us are talking, 2 elders and a life long member and our wives. None of us recognize the name. I call him back on my cell phone on speaker. Nobody recognizes his voice or the name of his girlfriend he said he came with. He said he was always told if you needed help call the church and he needed help. Told him I'd call back.
Maybe he called the wrong church. I call the Baptist Church. Nope, name didn't sound familiar.
Nice thing about a small town is someone knows everyone. We call 3 people. Two never heard of him. Third does. She tells me where he lives, and enough about him to give him some validity, then says "He's bull____________ you" (Yes, Mom. I called _____.) She suggested giving him the Sheriff's number.
So here's my struggle: The guy is somewhat legit. He is living in York, he is registered at the Motel 6 in Chicago area (Come to think of it, how did he do that with no money to pay for the room?), He might really have a need.
But his story didn't add up, he didn't give me anything to validate himself, none of the 6 of us recognized him.
The $46 for the room isn't the issue. Paying the motel isn't the issue (I'd have just charged it to a personal credit card and then called and cancelled it after that transaction.) The issue is how do we decided when the line has been crossed between doing good and being a good steward of God's money?
2 comments:
Its a tough call. It all goes back to WWJD. Sometimes I think we tend to over think things and instead of just go with it and then other times we just dont think quick enough. Which ever way we go there is always someone out there that will criticize it. We just do our best and hope its right.
It's a tough call, but I think it's important to always err on the side of mercy and compassion (which isn't the same as always saying yes). You never know when someone who has been sketchy may truly be in need, or has earnestly changed from their sketchy ways, or may be deeply affected by your kindness even when they're sketchy, or something else, still. And while I get the argument based on the Boy Who Called Wolf, I don't recall that being one of Jesus' parables. We aren't called to be judges, but to be loving people. And to go the extra mile- not just turn the other cheek, or give your only cloak, but give when it hurts. Like offering to buy them a meal, too.
(which isn't to imply I always do the right thing, just that I have pondered this deeply and try.)
There might be cause to carry a prepaid Visa (so it can't be compromised like your personal card), and with a night offering the number for a place they can turn wherever they are (churches, shelters, nonprofits, people, etc).
And prayer- it's always good to pray about what to do. Even (especially) when you're standing around with church leaders, and you're being turned to for your faith community identity.
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