The 40-Dollar Man

"I'll donate to you."  That's a common, cliched line some poker players use when someone else at the table goes all-in.  But what we encountered at a recent local tournament was something else.

"I need 40 dollars," a man said loudly toward our table while standing behind us.  This occasional player needed that much to tide himself over until.... well, until exactly when was unclear.  At one moment he mentioned taking a job next week paying more than $100 an hour; in the next moment he talked about moving across the country to be with his children.

It's a rare day when we carry 20 dollars to a poker tournament, or anywhere else -- a practice we've had for years, after discovering beggars can stop you and ask for cash when you least expect it.  And since we're between jobs ourselves, we certainly didn't have 40 dollars in our wallet to offer this man.

So what did we do?  Let's first ask the question: what should you do?  Jesus made a suggestion which we think many people find hard to swallow....

Sell your possessions and give to the poor.  Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out. a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. - Luke 12:33-34

Does that mean simply handing out 40 dollars to any stranger who asks for it?  We didn't see anyone do it on that poker night.  And we think Jesus understands if we give to others with care and wisdom.  After all, scams and schemers abound in our society -- from street-corner addicts to nice-sounding fake online charities.

Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves.  But beware of men, for they will hand you over to the courts and scourge you in their synagogues.... - Matthew 10:16-17 (NASB)

To borrow from the fantasy game "Dungeons and Dragons": always check first for traps.  But God wants believers to have a heart that's willing to give, when it's prudent and possible.

We have different gifts, according to the grace given us.  If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith.... if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously.... if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. - Romans 12:6-8

We went to that loud man quietly during a break, and told him of our financial situation.  He understood.  Then we offered to pray for him.

"I've already got priests praying for me," he said.  That's OK -- but every added prayer for other people can't hurt.

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.  The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. - James 5:16

The man's name is Eddie.  Will you "donate" some time, and pray for God to turn his life around?