Spiritual Vitality Fall 1988

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It was Saturday night, and my sermon, one of the first at my new church, glowed in green on the screen. Deep in thought, I scarcely noticed the telephone's ringing, but Nancy soon called down the stairs, "Meg Sheridan is on the phone."

I groaned. Meg had attended my previous church for several months and was always nice-but always needy.

Don't get me wrong; I love helping people in need. The gift of mercy motivated me to pastor in the inner city for eight years. I would rejoice when from a Sunday offering of $200 (far below budget), I could give $30 to Mary, a woman from the housing project whose cupboards were bare.

Only with the overdependent do I agonize about giving. I am torn between the words of Jesus, "Whatever you did for one of the least of these . . . ," and a suspicion that some needy people don't fit the parable.

How do we truly help the counselee who never seems to improve? Should we support an unemployed member who bypasses a minimum-wage job? How should we minister to the person who uses illness to get attention? What is ministry to the chronically dependent?

Reading 2 Thessalonians 3:6-12 and 1 Timothy 5:11-13, I realize assistance can go too far. It does some people more harm than good. My experience confirms that sometimes we have to lead the chronically needy into maturity with the firmness of a father who refuses to do his son's homework. "No" or "Only if . . ." or "All right, but next time . . ." can be loving words, especially to the complacent. Necessity is the greatest motivator-for some the only motivator.

But at times I wonder, Am I being firm, or cruel? I know impatience and selfishness lurk in my heart, and if they guide my decision, it can be as cold as a wet glove in January. So when ...

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