When last did someone try to take advantage of your good nature?   Around this time of the year, many real needs go unmet as every con artist, and his uncle, believe they have permission from above to take advantage of Christian charity.

Con artists are experts at gaining your confidence. Their dark seedy world encompasses phony lotteries; 419 scams; and identity theft. To protect ourselves we are taught to ask how they got our name; refer them to professionals (your attorney); get it in writing; request references; ignore pressure; and check for complaints. We also watch out for: secrecy; cash only; too good to be true; and intimidation.

But then, Jesus did say that we should give to everyone who begs, Mt.5:42. So, inevitably, we are going to be taken advantage of. How are we to react to this?

The answer can be found in 2 Chron.25:9 (ESV) And Amaziah said to the man of God, “But what shall we do about the hundred talents that I have given to the army of Israel?” The man of God answered, “The Lord is able to give you much more than this.”

Here the King of Judah made an ungodly alliance with Israel. After paying 3 ½ tons of silver for 100, 000 soldiers to join them in a military campaign, God tells them to cancel – and to let them have the money.

Friend, after having used good sense to make sure we are not joining light to darkness, we should cheerfully give to everyone who asks.