He didn’t have to tell me to give to panhandlers .. I give to them because I used to be one before He saved me.. I don’t just give to them I give bountifully to them.. I give something that makes them shed tears of thankfulness .. I can’t help it .. I know what it feels like to have nothing and you have to depend on the generosity of strangers .. I know that life ..

We are all beggars before God. We just beg differently

Help me be more like you Lord.

When I see a panhandler I see a brother or a sister, not a burden to society. Everything I have belongs to the Lord, I will take nothing with me when I die. While I'm a good steward of the Lord's provisions to me, I am called to be generous, like my Savior is generous not only to His children, but to His enemies as well. There is no other god, no other name, You Jesus alone are the giver of life. May all your creation praise You!

I once sat down and listened to a long sad story of a panhandler, the next thing I knew they wanted a monthly commitment to help with actual bills. No they were not homeless or disabled, they were too proud to beg family. Ask God for discernment and do not make your default to give money like a FOOL. People are too quick to give out their savings and rent money and not tell people about theor sin, repentance or Jesus because they want to do fleshly "good" works. When is Pastor John going to mention that we need the Holy Spirit for His wisdom on this matter? There is no easy one fits all default to this question. Each person may require a different approach sometimes you give and sometimes you walk. Why dont we see constant philanthropy in the gospels? Didnt they have a money bag with a treasurer, didnt they have money for their own food? Why didnt they just keep giving till it was all gone? Because that wasnt what Jesus meant at all, be led by the Holy Spirit and know when to give. Jesus at one point realize that people were not even listening, they just wanted more free food. They were freeloaders! Please research His response.

I am from South Africa and have wondered so long about this... I have found myself in this exact same situation many times. Thanks Kate for the question! And thanks pastor John for the answer. To God be the glory

We are all Panhandlers in the eyes of God.

Charity is twice blessed, blessing both him who gives as well as him who receives. I always look on it that if I give in good faith what their recipient does with their property/cash is not on me. In Springs South Africa, and yes this winter is cold, last night we drove the streets distibuting blankets which had been donated. We distributed over 100 and if we had more we would still be out there.

help us to be generous Lord you are a God who provides there is no reason for us to not give as much as we can

Honestly, I don't feel comfortable giving money. I have this feeling of responsibility... if they choose to use that money in a way that's harmful to themselves, then I've contributed to that suffering. I'll gladly give panhandlers things like food, water, umbrellas, blankets, shoes, socks, etc., but I just don't feel right giving out money. And I think that's okay.

Dear God, in times where I am at a crossroad in my life, I ask that you will give me the counsel that will help me make the right decision. I do not desire to go in the way that is not pleasing to you, Lord. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen Shalom.

This was a great video. Understanding this is key, if we judge a human not worthy of assistance, we take the role of judge from the lord. It is not up to us to judge worth, we should give when we are able because the master told us to do so. Let God judge the actions of sinners not us. Just my 2 cents

Thank you Lord for this teaching. Praise the Lord. 🙏

AMEN AMEN AMEN JESUS. Blessed to be a blessing.🕊️✝️🕊️

That’s exactly what I needed to hear thank you so much pastor John I need to stop being selfish & love my neighbor as my self. Thank you Jesus hold me & remind me that’s it’s not me but YOU are fighting for me. Thankkk you so much L-rd & im sorry because my doubts

I have used money I've panhandled for drugs before God saved me. It's best to keep little bags in your car with a bible, bandaids, a drink, snacks (dollar tree items) and hand those out instead.

Your teaching helps me so much!

Anyone faces the issue that there are people who are better off and those who are worse off than themselves. Sometimes it's hard not to envy the privileged, since they often "achieved" their situation by recklessness of some kind. And sometimes we oversee the sufferings of those who are less fortunate than ourselves, if our problems overwhelm us. So, it's always good to keep our eyes open and to have a sense of any situation in anyone needs our help.

Amen pastor. This this helped me so much. I'm struggling financially atm and unfortunately have to pay for something. But your words resonated with me alot especially that last part.

God bless you

Really good points here... God has been speaking to me about generosity lately

In 2020 I was walking downtown in a north Texas city and passed by a visibly broken man. He said to me that his wife and kids left him, has no job, is homeless, and is very hungry. He asked if I had any money to spare. I told him the truth, "I do not have any cash on me (just card), but I am happy to buy you some food. What kind of food do you like?" The man appreciated my gesture and said, "Shrimp tacos." Right behind me, not even 40 foot from us, was a corner taco store. I said to him, "Hey would you like me to get you some tacos from there?" The man replied, "No, that's okay.." In my mind I go WHAT??? So he wants money to buy food, yet he is willing to reject my free gift to buy him food? I don't like to assume but he probably doesn't really want food but money for other things. I said to the man, "Ok. Well may I pray for you?" He said "Yes." I sat down on the bench next to him, I don't remember if I gave him a hug, but I prayed for him and left. I was so ready to be hospitable and talk to this man like a human over food, sharing the gospel and bring encouragement...but he denied it. We may never know the person's heart when they ask for money. Will they misuse the money? Do they like the condition they are in? How do I share the love of Christ or the gospel at a short red light on my commute to/from work? Am I really a shrewd person for withholding my hard earned money from someone and their habits I don't know of? On the one hand, God gave us a brain for critical thinking and receive discernment via intuition or Holy Spirit. On the other hand, it is possible that being generous with a few dollars may be their answer to their prayer. After thinking and then asking one of my church members who often preaches out in downtown, he says he hands out granola bars with a gospel tract on them. It reminded me of this couple who handed out these backpack kits made up of a backpack ($5.00 from 5 Below) and things in them to help ($15.00 worth of personal care and snacks) and a small bible. I sometimes have asked their names and let them know that I will be praying for them. But I hope and pray that I provide in other ways and bring the gospel so that I helped spiritually feed them the hope of Christ. Side Note: I had thought about handing out the idea to the homeless about picking flowers on the side of the road and sell them in whatever glass jar they can find. I even thought about giving out small cardboard drawings (with sharpie) on my own time that they can sell but also simple enough for them to replicate (draw on their own). Just dumping entrepreneurial ideas that might be helpful to homeless so they find ways to work and not beg. 🤷‍♂

Amen

I would say I totally agree, but I do want to add a little information. 1. Totally agree. Christ call to for us to be humble and be the least is a very High calling and yet EXTREMELY difficult and I would say IMPOSSIBLE without the help of the spirit. 2. You will not know their story unless you take time to stop and get to know their story. I love that he said this. This takes time and is not a quick, simple give money and run away to make yourself feel better. 3. Lastly, though we do not know each person's story and why they are there asking for money, in my town, statistically, most panhandlers ARE NOT homeless and you providing them money actually can do more detriment than good. My wife works in an Admin position at one of our largest shelters here in town and there is a large misconception in the public that Panhandlers=Homeless and that's just not the case, IN OUR TOWN, maybe your town is different. The Homeless know where to go to ask for help, and will in ALOT of cases pursue that help if they so choose. In our town there are several local programs and assistance options for the Homeless, I'm sure there are options in your towns as well. If you want to help the Homeless, please partner with those non-profits and ask them what they need, DON"T ASSUME. Another problem that these non-profits have is kind, loving people wanting to help out, but actually making matters worse by either just showing up and handing out food/water, which ends up getting thrown on the ground and becomes trash, or by unneeded or unable to use donations that also just ends up in the trash. YES. YES. YES. Let's serve people and give, but let's also do our due diligence and research the best method to do that.

Well said

Everyone’s journey is different, but to share my thoughts on this, I used to give very freely on the streets in response to the love of Jesus, but over time I started to realise that you can be perpetuating someone’s situation, and I felt like trying to help homeless people alone on the street was getting me into vulnerable situations. The last time I gave out cash, the person was so desperate for heroin that she did little to conceal from me the drug deal she immediately set up. I also found that offering food instead was often being rejected. This put me in a state of mind similar to the person who submitted the question for this video. When multiple churches in my town united to provide winter housing for homeless people across the town, with move-on and follow-up help the rest of the year, I realised that things only truly change for homeless people when churches act collectively. We can ‘give’ to homeless people by asking our church to start a ministry or night shelter or outreach programme. We can give financially to people who are well-placed to offer life-changing support. As a child I read in a magazine we have in the UK called The Big Issue which is sold by homeless people on the street as a form of income, that sometimes homeless people feel so invisible what they want most is to be spoken to. Talking and praying can be just as valuable as cash. And there may still be circumstances where giving cash is clearly the right thing to do. I think Pastor Piper is right when he says this whole teaching is to cut us off from our selfishness. Love is the ultimate meaning to this. But there are lots of ways to give, some very creative, that do not involve directly giving cash that might make the situation worse. Overall, ministries and church projects are much more effective than lone-ranger attempts to intervene in what are the extremely complicated details of people’s lives.

I enjoyed this

It's not about being shrewd or afraid of being taken advantage of. The issue is doing more harm than good. While I am well aware we can't just assume everyone asking for money is addicted to something, the fact is many of them are. I know of homeless shelters where the volunteers are strictly forbidden to give any cash to people in the program. Why? Because it hurts them. We have to use wisdom on a case by case basis. I can easily encounter 3 panhandlers a day due to my job. I know all the corners and much of the time it's the same people. I've given occasionally and felt bad afterwards thinking if it's used for drugs, I might have been the one who killed them. I now I give to a charity instead that takes in homeless and has a drug rehab program.

In Luke 6:30 Jesus tells us that we should give to everyone who asks us for something. However, it would be a mistake to take the 'everyone' too literally. For example, if someone asks us for money to buy crack cocaine, we certainly shouldn't do it. In the Bible words like 'every' and 'all' are often used hyperbolically, i.e., as deliberate exaggerations that involve no attempt to deceive, and that is what is going on in this verse. The idea is that we should be very generous in giving and that our default position should be to give, and to stress this Jesus uses a hyperbole. He doesn't mean that we should ALWAYS give without exception when someone asks us for something. But we should give unless we know of a good reason not to.

I like to carry several gift cards to local places they can get food or goods they need, it helps me feel like they won’t just use it for drugs

I think John Piper is right that Jesus is more interested in us showing lavish generosity than he is in us being careful not to be taken advantage of. That said, I never give money to beggars on the street any more. I used to, but I remember giving money to a beggar on one occasion and then seeing him a few hours later drunk with a can of alcohol in his hand. He had clearly been using the money he had received to drink too much, and I wasn't doing him any good by giving him money. I have also since heard that most beggars here in the UK are either drink or drug addicts. I would still consider giving them food, but not money. I am sure that in some other countries, things are very different, though.

I too live in CT. Right behind the block of flats I live in is a park where homeless have erected their cardboard-palstic-sheet homes. I walk past there every day and by now we know each other quite well. We talk sometimes but I never give money. Once I said if they tidy up all the rubbish they scattered I bring them a bag of nice food but they just laughed at me. I asked them lots of questions about why they came to the city and if life is better now and why most of them dont make use of the the shelters (of which Cape Town has a good number of) etc etc. There were lots of stories but basically they dont like the shelters because they feel restricted in their freedom. There are rules to adhere to and set curfew times. But when they need clothes they go. For food there is a food kitchen just around the corner. They all said they dont use drugs. But i have witnessed first hand that most of them do , at least those that are in 'my' park. (which btw nobody uses anymore because of the filth and the poop). Dear Mr. Piper, I really respect you and learn a lot from your teachings, but in this matter I have come to the conclusion and have peace of consciousness before my Lord, that it is not for their good at all if I give money to them. In fact I feel, I would add to the problem because begging in CT pays so well for drug abuse. All we 'ordinary' working people get in return is a smelly, filthy city that gets doggier by the day. I do however donate to several shelters via the church i am part of and give to those who sell magazines because I know they are in a rehabilitation program. There are also vouchers available one can purchase directly from the shelters and pass them out to a homeless for a bath , food, clothing and a clean bed.

the last few words - how we can bring eternal blessings unto others 👍

I live in Ecuador, it's not a rich country, many poor people with no social programs here. It's heartbreaking with all the street dogs as well, very skinny and starving for food and love.

Good question. Hard answer to do. Our egos can really hamper us from doing good as Jesus would. Sometimes I give to the Salvation Army and other professional missions who can discern the legitimate need from those who simply want to live off of society.

No, we should show discernment in who we help and how we help them.

Proverbs 3:27 do not withhold good from "the deserving" when it is within your power to act (BSB version). so simply let the Holy Spirit guide us when to give or not give to an individual panhandler. there's the nudge

Have friends that are so mean to beggars and homeless. What we need to realize is that we could be in that situation in the blink of an eye through any tragedy. It's called campassion. Remember Jesus was homeless and relied on the campassion of the people to lay his head down and food.

No doubt we must examine our hearts as Pastor John points out. There is another verse to consider, “For you have the poor with you always, and whenever you wish you may do them good; but Me you do not have always.” (Mark 14:7, NKJV)

do not shoulder the burden of the world. it is the Lord who daily bears our burdens(Psalms 68:19). Lord Jesus promises (Matthew 11:28-30)

And *"wisdom is justified of her children"*

It's all about faith and trust in God.

I don't mind giving to the homeless, but one guy I'm scared of. It was christmas eve I gave him some money and he asked to be driven to the store by me. I'm a woman who just got off an (12 to 8:45) night shift. I told him I can't have other people in the car with me (I was a new driver and it's my mom's car) And he kept asking. I've seen him around, I've done the stare ahead with him. He asks for cigarettes (I don't smoke) Pray for this man. If you worry about what people are spending it on. Get some gift cards to McDonald's or burger king.

Would this also include charity requests and gofundme requests?

*Proverbs 19:17 AKJV “He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.”* I mostly give food not money, and I try to do it surreptitiously, which is sometimes that is hard with everyone walking by. It’s not about being seen, though, God sees. I agree that it is better to err on the side of being taken advantage of over being shrewd! It’s not my *”few dollars”* anyways. It’s God’s money.🇨🇦

John still didn't answer the question but anyways any panhandlers that come my way I always give to them I don't judge them for I cannot I do not know their past why They're in the position that they're in i Always put myself in their shoes what if that was me and I asked you for some money for help for food So yes I always used the golden rule do unto others as you would have them do unto you If somebody asks me for help you better believe me I will help them Christ is in all and through all I do not want to face Jesus on judgment day and him asked me remember the panhandler that asked you for just a few dollars why did you not help him That will never be me I will always give no matter what! The love of God would not be in me if I wouldn't! The Chosen

I was once carrying a pack of 20 sandwiches back from shopping when I met a beggar so I asked him what flavour he liked.

Paul's talking to those that have joined the church, and not to those outside the church. Paul says we are not to judge those outside the church, but we are to judge those inside the church. When becoming Christian, we are to live within the fruits of the Spirit. Taking care of yourself if you can, alleviates the pressure on those that are trying to help others who are suffering themselves. As Paul's says, love each other as you love yourself. If your needs are taking from those who have needs of their own, it is good that you suffer instead of them.

Rightly divide Rightly divide rightly divide

I've been praying for months for help on this issue. I live in a 2nd world country, lots of poor, but specifically many illegals from the sister country who have no papers and is harder for them to find work, but plenty of them get by with good efforts of selling fruits, clothes, doing hard labor, etc. This guy has been coming to my house every week, probably twice a week most times wanting food and money. I have no problem to feed him but we're at a point where what i give him is never enough and he insults and accuses me (in a very seemingly harmless and roundabout manner), that because my family helps me (I'm a single mom and very slow with work, no one to watch my kids if i wanted to work a 9-5, low income jobs here and half or more my pay would go to transport and childcare... I work weddings but been slow with covid, finally getting more inquiries again🙏🏼), he says he has no one to help him so i should help him since my mom helps me. He rides his bike around town panhandling and its very obvious he's taking advantage because he knows I'm christian. I even tell him to chop weeds with a machete if he wants the money but many times is super unwilling and lazy to do it. I hate to feed his laziness and I'm at my wits end really. He makes my daughter super uncomfortable also and sort of cat calls her and looks at her weird. I will feed him but giving him money really is becoming heavy on my heart at this pt. I even saw him in town yesterday while i walked to save money and saluded him happily as a friend trying to burn the malice in my heart for him, and he ignored my greeting and just asked for money immediately. God help me

Nothing wrong with asking the panhandler a few questions to discern whether you should give money. Do you see an expensive iPhone? Do you offer them food and they become picky-choosy? Do they have a dog, if they can feed a dog they can feed themselves. Wise as snakes, gentle as doves. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.

Romans 7:21.. 'I find then a Law, that evil is present with me.. the one who wills to do good.'

I guess we should give a small amount to any person who ask for money. Reason 1: Many people are unemployed and then forced to live on the street - in the very most cases of no fault of their own. Reason 2: Lazy people can drive you up the wall. The other side of the coin is: How many people would - by free will - work under inhumane conditions for a wage of 3 $ an hour? What if, for some people's qualifications no better options are available? Is the person really lazy, if the refuse to break their bones for a starvation wage? What if there is a healthy, 20 years old woman, who refuses to work for caring for her severely disabled child? What if there are youngsters who never learned from their parents to develop responsibility, since the parents couldn' t learn about this either? Should, in such cases, anyone feel too good to give those people a small donation? I live in Germany, where the number of destitute/very poor people is relatively low, but high enough to make the greedy exploiters think about their responsibility for the pooor, respectively, the financially disadwantaged.

This is a question I ask myself on a daily basis. Working in a downtown urban setting I drive or walk pass panhandlers daily. Some are holding signs that honestly and clearly ask for drug money, these are much easier to not give money to. However, my most frequent struggle is how to best steward the financial resources I have been given, balanced between my needs and generosity. I see at least 3-5 panhandlers daily. If I give to each of them, every time I saw them, I would quickly not be able to provide for the needs of me or my family. I’m beginning to feel more of a pain when I ignore them, but how can I best balance the generosity I’m commanded to give with providing for my only family’s needs? I’d be curious to know how others have worked through this thought.

Supposed to love they neighbor that’s one commandment that God says we must do because you’re gonna have to meet those people one day you don’t even know like everything in your life is purpose for a reason ask God for direction and understanding he will give that shit to you I promise I ask God for understanding always and he gives me understanding it’s a relationship

I would want someone to offer me work so that I could earn my own money, therefore, if I do unto them as I'd have them do unto me, I will offer them work. If they refuse it, then they get nothing else from me. Piper said to use my own measure as the test, so, my measure is offering work, because that's what I'd want offered to me.

If one is resistant to giving money directly to pan-handlers, one should at least have knowledge of charitable organizations in the local area that you can direct the pan handlers to and provide monetary support to those organizations instead. If some one is truly in need, they might not be aware of the help available to them through existing organizations like food banks, shelters, churches. One should definitely be putting some time and effort, and/or money toward supporting charitable giving.

In the Lord’s day these beggars were likely genuinely needy and they likely weren’t addicts. In our neighborhood there is a food bank one block from where they’re begging and job availability everywhere. So if we give aren’t we perpetuating their dysfunction and making a pathway for others to do the same?

In a Word, YES!!! JESUS said Plainly in Matthew 5:42 " GIVE to the One who Asks you and Do NOT Turn Away from the one who wants to Borrow from you" .. That is JESUS saying this HIMSELF and we need to and MUST GIVE out of our BOUNTY!! YOU Do NOT KNow the Story of the person asking for money, ok??!!! PRAISE JESUS that YOU are NOT in their Place!! GIVE GIVE GIVE GIVE, YOU CANNOT Out Give GOD!!!!

I usually give but I no longer give money since I’m not sure if they use drugs or not so I mainly buy food give them

Already when you say I think that Jesus said no that’s your own understanding God says never to go on your own understanding and nobody can’t talk for Jesus’ Let’s not go on our own understanding

Only half way in but what about how giving to panhandlers might cause them not go to social programs to get them out of poverty or possible support an addiction. Would it be more loving not to? I could be delusional

Give alms joyfully.

What about giving anyone a ride? My parent told me don’t do it, because it isn’t safe, and it’s illegal to hitchhike (or so I hear) but I would want someone to pick me up if I’m walking..

It says to give God is about giving Jesus about giving doesn’t matter if you got it you were there for a reason

I use discretion, sometimes I will give money, sometimes, I’ll big a meal, sometimes I’ll give my meal or split it but I work. I’m not working to support other people but I do give often. I just think if I work and nothing is wrong with u then u should be working too

So the basic default is to give give give. I understand that and I understand it’s being Christlike and from the heart. I think what John is telling us is that it’s OK to look forward and drive when somebody is begging for food. He beats me that’s a tough question and it’s hard to give a good answer. I think you did a pretty good job on it though. I am only trying to offer words of encouragement not meaning to cut you down. Sometimes I wonder what would Jesus do if he was driving a car and he saw people begging but a lot of people begging have two healthy arms and healthy legs and can work for themselves but don’t for whatever reason whether it be laziness or mental illness or a broken spirit. Let God sort them out.

Sadly many of the ones in my city are clearly on drugs. Other even have signs that clearly say “not going to lie its for beer”. In those day beggars were needy. These days theyre in a spot they want to stay in and are looking for their next fix

Be led by the Holy Spirit and you won’t need to use human/religious opinions! You will simply do the Will of God in every situation. The heart is desperately wicked and deceptive and there are many ways that seem right to humanity that will ultimately lead to their destruction!

remember JESUS say I have no place to lay my head...so JESUS in our time means be homeless as the richman cry and ran away after JESUS told him only way to get to heaven... you must go homeless... so thinking like that homeless should be your friend all humans all are in GOD s image...so knowing that should you give a pan hander?

What about someone who asks you for money and you know they are going to use it for drugs should you still give them money to help them with their drug addiction

Giving money is a great opportunity to share the gospel. People listen lol

Many homeless have the spirit of false pity that preys on the heart's of the compassionate.

just yesterday I went to church with my family and on the way, there was a guy well dressed and perfectly healthy walking around asking for a donation in exchange for a 10-cent pen. he is one of many who give the same story. we are 99% sure he is a scammer. My father came from a very poor background and worked hard to get to his current state. He hates watching this happen. I hate it too. but I tell him lets give what we can because even though he is taking advantage of us, he is asking us. wouldn't we give it to our family if they ask?

Check out Ralph Yankee Arnold! He's the guy that told me how to go to heaven where I could finally understand the gospel.

In a large town or city beggars could make a fortune Even if 100 people gave one beggar a pound or dollar every day!

You need to give only to Christ’s Church ones who believe in the truth! If you give to drug addicts and alcoholics you support their behavior and that is not biblical! They need to be vetted all you have to do is say what do you think about Christmas and if they celebrate Christmas do not give them money! Only true Christians know that Christmas is nothing but paganism and has nothing to do with True worship in spirit and truth!

"Did Jesus Tell Us to Give to Every Panhandler?" No kind Sir...He did not directly "Tell Us to Give to Every Panhandler?"...but He did... Tell us WHAT was true "Giving"; when the "poor widow" gave of ALL she had in "mites" Thus... Mark 12:41 And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. 42 And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. 43 And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: 44 For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living. Yet to THIS day, all over the "Religionist" World, their people still does NOT get it! Sad, but OH so True. IE: MANY (like Catholics) give ONLY because their "gestapo" church's "Hierarchy"; will make their lives hell; if they don't "GIVE MORE!". May Jesus have mercy... Also, it is my understanding; that a Pope long ago; moved the offering plate; and had it around all of the pews: to create a "guilt trip"; that would cause a person; to put more in the plate; than they had planned to' where the plate used to be at the back of the church. And that "trick" is STILL done ALL over the Christian world. May Jesus have mercy... But worst of all: Hoards of Preachers (all over the world, for the last 4,000 yrs); BEGS and BEGS, in a myriad of ways; SO their congregations; should "GIVE MORE!". And on a plethora of TV's also. And now on "KZfaq's" tricks too. So sad. May Jesus have mercy... So, I believe Jesus would Chastise EVERY thing and EVERY one; that played a part in that, satan-led, Godless, "Chicanery". Because He wants "ONLY" one way to give. And that is from the heart. As the "poor Widow" did! PERIOD! Praise His Holy Name... ...In any case kind Sir, Please Pray OFTEN and Praise Jesus OFTEN; for He is the ONLY true "God Almighty"; there will ever have been. And may Jesus bless you and yours always. AMEN!

Nope. Quite the opposite. He said don't worry about the poor because you will always have them. He was too busy cursing fig trees anyway.

Jesus may not praise a person for being shrewd in avoiding being exploited with the exact language Mr. Piper uses here, but to pretend Christ does not commend sound, wise stewardship is theologically inaccurate. Parable of the talents is a chief example. Would he praise us for bankrupting our own homes while giving loads of cash to irresponsible friends and family?

The Gospel: Plain and Simple “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.” - 2 Corithians 11:3 Ask someone today if they are saved and you will most likely hear responses like these: “I have accepted Jesus into my heart.” Or “I have made him Lord of my life.” “I’ve been baptized.” “I said a prayer.” Sounds all good and churchy don’t it; but it is difficult to de-termine whether or not a person actually knows the gospel that saves them. These use￾less phrases don’t describe a thing about what the gospel is and has left a devastating effect of people not knowing what it is that they are saved from nor how they are saved; which leaves a more serious effect of people ques￾tioning their salvation. Let’s not muddy the simplicity of salva￾tion that is in Christ with vague church sounding phrases that do not communicate anything. But rather present God’s word with clarity and assuredness. So here is the gospel: plain and simple. Sin was passed upon all men by one man Adam, and death is a consequence of this sin (Rom 5:12). Mankind has an eternal destiny of condemnation and wrath - Hell - because of this sin (Rom 6:23). No matter what good works one might do we are still found sinners in the sight of our Creator God. And all un￾righteousness and those who follow get in￾dignation and wrath. We cannot be found righteous for by God’s law we are found sin￾ners (Rom 3:19-20). If we have broken even one law we are found guilty. It is for this reason of not being able to create our own righteousness and being born in a sinful flesh that we need a savior (Titus 3:5). Christ is that Savior, God manifested in the flesh, sinless, died in our place on a cross 2000 years ago. Taking upon him the wrath and judgement that was intended for us sin￾ners. And it is through his bloodshed, burial, and resurrection on our behalf that we are able to have peace with God and forgiveness of our sins (1 Cor 15:1-4, Col 3:14). This good news is unto all but only those that believe in it are made righteous in Christ (Romans 3:22). It is then after we have heard this good news of Christ’s righteousness available to us freely, that we are sealed with the Holy Spirit and we are now part of Christ’s body the church (Eph 1:13) There is nothing that we need to do, no good works that are required, and no bad works that can separate us from our new po￾sition in Christ (Romans 8:35-39). Faith and belief in this information from God’s word is the gospel. The gospel is not accepting Jesus into your heart. The gospel is not making him lord of your life, it is not saying a prayer and it is not being baptized with water. So next time someone asks you if you are saved. Give them the clear assured answer Yes And let me tell you why Find more free resources at www.graceambassadors.com