It is a strange thing indeed to sit down with someone who walks into church and is looking for assistance. I am not new to speaking with strangers or evaluating needs or truth, but this was in a prior “life”.
Someone walks in, who I have given gift cards before and now wants money for over the counter meds that the doctor’s office would not write a script for. This person is employed and it is difficult to determine need vs. dependence now on what has been done in the past to pay for needed items.
Just the idea of the evaluation gets messy and the questions that arise can be, doing is hurting and doing my be helping, not doing may be helping and not doing may be hurting. All that really can be done, is pray, trust in the Spirit and give as guided.
Money was given out to cover the meds and tax. I trust this was the correct decision and that the Spirit was guiding and will guide not only myself but the one that received the funds.
These types of situations we can come across all the time. You see people on the street that are in need and asking for money. Then you hear of the stories of people who panhandle for a living and live very nicely. I would however rather trust that the Spirit is guiding me and leave it in the capable hands of God that when I give, I give and the Spirit will work as needed.