"Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one that wants to borrow from you"
Matt 5:42
"If you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' lend to 'sinners', expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful just as your father is merciful."
Luke 5:34-36
These passages never caused me much distress, because living in Sweden being asked for money is not something you come across very often. Now, Africa is a completely different story. First of all, people will ask you for money partly because it's an opportunity that's come their way and today they just might strike lucky. "Give me 500 CFA" is not an uncommon comment you get as you walk down the street. No one is really offended when you ignore these requests, but other times, the demand is sincere. Now, making donations is a tricky question when you're basically living off donations yourself.
There is the balance between being wise, being generous, and acting in faith. I have always been very good at handling money and I've never really run short. Now I find myself challenged to donate beyond what I would ever spend myself and my well-controlled bank account is suddenly starting to stir. The requests vary from small change to larger donations to help start up a small business or provide free schooling for poor families. I live well. So far I have never struggled to pay my crew fees or run out of transport money. Yet, every time a larger sum is extracted from my account I feel a small tug in my gut. Maybe to some degree financial security has minimised my trust in God.
"Frida, can you lend me $500?"
With that question my mind starts panicking and I find the spirit asking me what's the matter, I really don't trust God to provide all I need?
Faith.
I have a long way to go...
All Love
