Sitting around the table discussing various issues after worship, the topic of benevolence arose. Anyone who has ever worked in the area of benevolence always has some wild stories—like the van full of people on their way to Florida from Atlanta, who asked for gas money. But the driver rejected a voucher for a local gas station, saying “No, my tank is full. I want cash to buy gas down the road.” Of course, he was very angry when denied the cash.

On another occasion, people came saying they wanted a “loan,” apparently mistaking the church building for a bank. I remember vividly a man who came into my office about 11:00 A.M. saying he was due to receive $5000 wired to him at 3:00 P.M., but needed $25 to “carry him over” until the $5000 arrived.

As we told our stories, the question came up, “How many people that we help are really worthy of help?” My estimation is that few are “worthy,” but it is usually better to err on the side of helping the unworthy rather than turn away those who are worthy. Those who ask for help and lie to us will have to answer to the Lord. “Whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward” (Mark 9:41).

But consider that question of worthiness for a moment. Although we are “good people,” how many of us are worthy of what the Lord has done for us? “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:8-9). Worthy? No! But thankful for the grace of God? Yes!