Observation #5

Some are goats.

I am reluctant to report this observation. Us evangelicals are not much in danger of seeing the poor and needy as all sheep. We are more in danger as seeing them as all goats (see Observation #4). This observation can lead to stereotypes which can be used as excuses for inaction.

Some of the poor and needy have chosen to live off handouts. They milk the systems and sympathies of the compassionate. They can be extremely persuasive and sincere. It usually involves material help, though they will go along with relational help, primarily as a means to material help. In these cases, material help can lead to an enabling of that type of lifestyle. Material help can feed the gorilla on their back.

Jesus told us to be wise as a serpent and as gentle as a dove. We have to learn to be smart and compassionate. Many times, it is easy to spot the goats. Many of the panhandlers are goats. The more hard up one is for the substance to which one is addicted, the more motivated and persistent one becomes for money. They can be fairly aggressive and manipulative.

Many times, though, it is hard to tell a goat from a sheep. You can and probably should make some general rules to follow to prevent your limited resources and time from being to being too consumed by the goats; rules like never giving money, or working through an organized charity. But the general rules can and sometimes do break down in the specific.

What is really needed is to develop wisdom and discernment. This requires a practiced skill in dropping down from the head to the heart and listening for the guidance. Being attentive to this divine guidance is like trying to keep your footing in the middle of a swift current; the current being the distractions that can prevent us from hearing with ears that hear. It then requires practicing obedience, even if it means breaking one of your general rules or withholding help.

Giving to anybody is easy. Not giving to anybody is easy. Following a list of general rules is relatively easy. You can be lazy and do these things. Sensing the wind of the Spirit and following it as life is unfolding is hard. The good news: we are invited to do just that – to start the journey.