Listen Before You Give

"Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, 'This is the way; walk in it.'" — Isaiah 30:21

Should you help everyone who asks?

I pray that you would not give indiscriminately, rather you would do ministry prayerfully. Do you know the difference?

The difference is listening to the Holy Spirit before you act.

Not every need that crosses your path is your assignment. God may have another plan for that person. He may have someone else in mind to meet that need. He may be working something out in their life that your quick fix would actually interrupt.

This doesn't mean you become hardhearted or stingy. It means you become prayerful.

The Holy Spirit will guide you in making your decision. If you are listening, God will help. You are not to do ministry for people who hurt because you feel obligated.

Guilt is not a good motivation for ministry. Obligation produces resentment. But when God gives you the desire to help, when He puts that burden on your heart, when He opens your eyes to a specific need—that's different.

God will give you the right "want to" at the right time, guilt free, if you are to help. If God does not give you that desire, maybe He has another plan for them.

This takes the pressure off. You don't have to save everyone. You don't have to meet every need. You don't have to feel guilty when you can't do it all.

But it also puts the responsibility on. You have to be listening. You have to be tuned in to the Spirit's voice. You have to be willing to act when He prompts you.

Before you give, before you serve, before you jump in—ask God. Is this my assignment? Is this the right time? Is this what You want me to do?

Then listen. He'll guide you. Do ministry prayerfully, not indiscriminately. That's how you stay effective for the long haul.