.
The global pandemic is slowly giving way to a global economic crisis. Economies in many nations in all parts of the world are fragile and hurting. And real people living in those nations and tribes and areas are feeling the pain.
Recently a longtime friend came to me in deep distress. With downcast eyes steeped in shame, a desperate request. “I really wish I didn’t need to ask you this, but would you be able to lend me some money? I got sick and couldn’t work, and now I need to get caught up on the rent. I can pay you back in weekly payments….”
I asked, “How much?” and the amount was substantial – in line with a breadwinner having missed work for several weeks while sick and now needing to catch up on the family’s bills.
I am not a wealthy person. But I do save for emergencies. This would deplete my emergency savings, which I can still replenish, but … It gave me serious pause. And I knew that repaying it would be nearly impossible for the person asking. They already are living on a pretty low income which is more precarious than mine. I have been lucky to have an income that continued through the pandemic.
“Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys.”
Luke 12:33
I prayed about this request. And then, taking a deep breath – with a certain amount of anxiety over whether I was being foolish – I gave my friend the money. I said, “Don’t pay it back. Pay it forward. Do the same for someone else when you are able.”
The very next day, the Sunday sermon focused on Generosity. (What a coincidence?) The preacher preached about taking care of one another when times are tough.
It’s another way that God is teaching me to trust Him.
God is Awesome.
GodChild 