Coworker in financial trouble, biblical response?

[Called4Christ]

I have a coworker who has come on a sudden financial crisis. He's 28, single, and is raising his two kids. He's a hard worker and management has never had any issues with him. Recently his check was garnished around $250 without our local property knowing about it (it happened at the corporate level). It was garnished for a car debt he had from years ago and he had forgotten about it.

Now his lights are off and he had just bought a bunch of groceries for his kids. He's a brother in Christ so I've prayed with him and for him for several days. He walks around looking like he's on the brink of tears, and when I asked him if he was okay today he said: No not really.

He asked later in the day if he could borrow 100 and he promises to pay it back. If I give him money, I don't want him to worry about giving it back to me at all; it's a gift.

Sometimes when I give, I'm told I give too much, but I want to give him $400 as a gift. I was recently in the hospital and I joined a gym to better my health. So I"m already spending 250 a month more than I normally would and my extra money is now nonexistent.

I withdrew the 400 from my savings, but then I considered: maybe I should only give him 200?

But then I wonder: is not giving him 400 a lack of faith? Shouldn't I just trust that God will replace my $400? The "human" side of me says to be reasonable, but I want to be obedient to God. But if I'm not giving truly cheerfully is it really obedience?

Do you guys see my internal dilemma here? What's the biblical response?

 

[tourist]

Seems to me you are a cheerful giver. Seeing how his check was garnished $250 that is what I would give and no more. Only give this to him if it is God pressing upon your heart to give.

Seeing how it is a gift I would not expect God to make up the shortfall. He still indeed may do so but then it would almost be like a loan and not a gift. If God later sends some money your way I would consider that a gift to you but I would not expect God to repay you.

I would be practical also because you have your own financial concerns as well. What I am saying is that I would make the amount you decide to give to your coworker a one-time gift. After all, it his check that was garnished and not yours.

Truthfully, I really don't believe that the garnished wages came as a surprise. He probably had ample time to make arrangements. His debt is ultimately his responsibility.

 

[Depleted]

I have a coworker who has come on a sudden financial crisis. He's 28, single, and is raising his two kids. He's a hard worker and management has never had any issues with him. Recently his check was garnished around $250 without our local property knowing about it (it happened at the corporate level). It was garnished for a car debt he had from years ago and he had forgotten about it.

Now his lights are off and he had just bought a bunch of groceries for his kids. He's a brother in Christ so I've prayed with him and for him for several days. He walks around looking like he's on the brink of tears, and when I asked him if he was okay today he said: No not really.

He asked later in the day if he could borrow 100 and he promises to pay it back. If I give him money, I don't want him to worry about giving it back to me at all; it's a gift.

Sometimes when I give, I'm told I give too much, but I want to give him $400 as a gift. I was recently in the hospital and I joined a gym to better my health. So I"m already spending 250 a month more than I normally would and my extra money is now nonexistent.

I withdrew the 400 from my savings, but then I considered: maybe I should only give him 200?

But then I wonder: is not giving him 400 a lack of faith? Shouldn't I just trust that God will replace my $400? The "human" side of me says to be reasonable, but I want to be obedient to God. But if I'm not giving truly cheerfully is it really obedience?

Do you guys see my internal dilemma here? What's the biblical response?

Pray. ...........

 

[Pilkington]

This is incredibly difficult. I want to ecco what Depleted said Pray about it. If you feel it is right to give $400 dollars then give that amount sometimes we are called to give sacrificially. You say you wanted to give him $400 what is changing your thinking? I kind of feel you should go with what you first wanted to give. I think you have to be upfront and explain it is a one off and it is a gift you are not expecting to be repayed but maybe he could help someone else in need finacially or practically as he felt led in the future or better still it would be better if he didn't know it is from you. Unfortunately when you lend someone money it can affect the relationship in a negative way, it can change the balance of power etc.

 

[oldethennew]

I have a coworker who has come on a sudden financial crisis. He's 28, single, and is raising his two kids. He's a hard worker and management has never had any issues with him. Recently his check was garnished around $250 without our local property knowing about it (it happened at the corporate level). It was garnished for a car debt he had from years ago and he had forgotten about it.

Now his lights are off and he had just bought a bunch of groceries for his kids. He's a brother in Christ so I've prayed with him and for him for several days. He walks around looking like he's on the brink of tears, and when I asked him if he was okay today he said: No not really.

He asked later in the day if he could borrow 100 and he promises to pay it back. If I give him money, I don't want him to worry about giving it back to me at all; it's a gift.

Sometimes when I give, I'm told I give too much, but I want to give him $400 as a gift. I was recently in the hospital and I joined a gym to better my health. So I"m already spending 250 a month more than I normally would and my extra money is now nonexistent.

I withdrew the 400 from my savings, but then I considered: maybe I should only give him 200?

But then I wonder: is not giving him 400 a lack of faith? Shouldn't I just trust that God will replace my $400? The "human" side of me says to be reasonable, but I want to be obedient to God. But if I'm not giving truly cheerfully is it really obedience?

Do you guys see my internal dilemma here? What's the biblical response?

=============================================

there is no dilemma here, you are the one who has made it such,,,,
if you believe that Christ sent him to you, then you are the chosen-one to act as your Saviour would in
His stead.....

in the real Christian World, never do we consider $$ as a compass, as the 'world does,
it is simply a tool that we are blessed with, at what ever leve;;

our Love, Trust, and Faith will always be the deciding factor that the Holy Spirit teaches us,,,
not the world's love of itself and its answers....

 

[blue_ladybug]

$400 is ALOT of money. I think the more appropriate amount to give him would be $250.. I'm sure YOU probably have need of some of that $400 also.

 

[Depleted]

$400 is ALOT of money. I think the more appropriate amount to give him would be $250.. I'm sure YOU probably have need of some of that $400 also.

It really depends on the person holding that $400. I remember when $20 was A LOT. Right now $400 is wow, but not WOW to me. Some people in my family would thing $400 is pocket change. The coworker will consider that A LOT too, but God will answer Called4 on if it's the amount he's supposed to give. Sometimes God does ask us to give to the point of feeling the financial pinch. Sometimes he doesn't.

 

[Dan58]

I have a coworker who has come on a sudden financial crisis. He's 28, single, and is raising his two kids. He's a hard worker and management has never had any issues with him. Recently his check was garnished around $250 without our local property knowing about it (it happened at the corporate level). It was garnished for a car debt he had from years ago and he had forgotten about it.

Now his lights are off and he had just bought a bunch of groceries for his kids. He's a brother in Christ so I've prayed with him and for him for several days. He walks around looking like he's on the brink of tears, and when I asked him if he was okay today he said: No not really.

He asked later in the day if he could borrow 100 and he promises to pay it back. If I give him money, I don't want him to worry about giving it back to me at all; it's a gift.

Sometimes when I give, I'm told I give too much, but I want to give him $400 as a gift. I was recently in the hospital and I joined a gym to better my health. So I"m already spending 250 a month more than I normally would and my extra money is now nonexistent.

I withdrew the 400 from my savings, but then I considered: maybe I should only give him 200?

But then I wonder: is not giving him 400 a lack of faith? Shouldn't I just trust that God will replace my $400? The "human" side of me says to be reasonable, but I want to be obedient to God. But if I'm not giving truly cheerfully is it really obedience?

Do you guys see my internal dilemma here? What's the biblical response?

Be aware that wages are often garnished as a percentage of ones wages or as a judge decides what a person can afford to pay. This $250 is probably the first deduction of many yet to come. That's why he's sad. Also be aware that these things aren't done in secret, so I sincerely doubt he was taken by surprise or forgot about this bad debt, he had to be aware of the collection efforts. Your not helping a poor person, your helping a irresponsible person, and there's a big difference. He won't learn anything if people bail him out. Sometimes God lets us experience difficult times to teach us valuable lessons, you throwing money at him won't help him become a responsible adult. He burned someone on a debt he didn't pay, and there are repercussions for that. I'd proceed carefully and get the whole story, it seems odd that his lights were turned off so fast, I'm guessing he was behind on his power bills prior to his wages being garnished? Get the truth and not a sob story, and don't help someone who can't manage money or is living beyond his means. He's not paying his bills, and unless your prepared to pay the next deduction too, I'd avoid throwing good money after bad. This may seem harsh, but I've had more than one bad experience helping out deadbeats who don't pay their bills.

"Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed..Owe no man any thing" (Romans 13:7-8). "The wicked borrow and do not repay" (Psalm 37:21)

 

[Depleted]

Be aware that wages are often garnished as a percentage of ones wages or as a judge decides what a person can afford to pay. This $250 is probably the first deduction of many yet to come. That's why he's sad. Also be aware that these things aren't done in secret, so I sincerely doubt he was taken by surprise or forgot about this bad debt, he had to be aware of the collection efforts. Your not helping a poor person, your helping a irresponsible person, and there's a big difference. He won't learn anything if people bail him out. Sometimes God lets us experience difficult times to teach us valuable lessons, you throwing money at him won't help him become a responsible adult. He burned someone on a debt he didn't pay, and there are repercussions for that. I'd proceed carefully and get the whole story, it seems odd that his lights were turned off so fast, I'm guessing he was behind on his power bills prior to his wages being garnished? Get the truth and not a sob story, and don't help someone who can't manage money or is living beyond his means. He's not paying his bills, and unless your prepared to pay the next deduction too, I'd avoid throwing good money after bad. This may seem harsh, but I've had more than one bad experience helping out deadbeats who don't pay their bills.

"Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed..Owe no man any thing" (Romans 13:7-8). "The wicked borrow and do not repay" (Psalm 37:21)

Not necessarily. We knew we owed taxes on money we made for part of one year, but before and after we were paid that money we had no jobs and no income -- but a lot of outgo. It took a year to recover enough just to pay for shelter and food. (Sometimes we went without heat that year, and, man! It was one of the coldest winters.) So, when we finally got back on our feet, the first thing we did was notify the IRS about that year. Unfortunately, that made the IRS question years before that, and some of those years were so far back we no longer had the proof of income and the taxes paid. (Some of those years were from before there was "we," and we were married for four years by then. When we got married we threw out too much paperwork from before-we-were-married.) Ever try proving your story 5-7 years later?

We knew how what we rightfully owed the IRS would be collected from his paycheck, and we made plans to live accordingly.

And then a year later, they called back at 8:50 on a Friday night, when their computers go down at 9 PM to tell us they changed their minds and wanted $10,000 by 9 AM the following Monday. (And all this back in the days when banks weren't open on the weekends and no one but scientists knew there was something called "the Internet.") Looking back I can see the IRS had some temporary hires they were putting to work before their temp time was done, but back then I freaked. We had a deal. We had already paid a good chunk of what they decided we owed way after knowing we paid them what we really owed plus penalties, but couldn't prove that because of the time and expense of hunting down past employers and some of them weren't around anymore.

It almost came down to an act of Congress to resolve that problem. It did come down to calling our Congressman to find out that the IRS had reconsidered and we were back to the original deal. (Our Congressman told me that I might well be the only person in history to write an apology letter after cursing out an IRS agent, but the boss understood why he was calling because he got that letter. lol)

And the amount chosen wasn't based on percentage. I had to tell how much we spent on necessities and they took the rest. The reason that 8:50 call put me in panic mode is because the guy expected me to know -- off the top of my head and in the space of 10 minutes, exactly how much we did spend each month for necessities. I'm a bookkeeper and can't do that!

Sometimes, the rules change after working out the deal. That's when it gets scary. Don't assume the person is irresponsible. And this is why there are so many needy in the church. Too many automatically assume it's always their fault and it was always their irresponsibility. Where is THAT verse in the Bible? Was Jesus asking for financial info before feeding the hungry? (Hey, buddy. You get no fish because you should have planned better.)

 

[notuptome]

Pr 3:28 Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.

The matter is between you and the Lord.

For the cause of Christ
Roger

 

[sassylady]

I would not just give $400. If he needs a bill paid, pay the bill for him, or buy groceries, or pay the electric bill, but don't give money. That's a lot and there's always the temptation when somebody in needs gets it to spend even a small amount on something like fast food because you can't afford any extra.

I have had people give me money and it's wonderful and feels good, but what he really needs is a miracle from God in his situation. And you can only help so much, you have your own obligations. He is not your responsibility, it's God's responsibility to take care of him and once all help is depleted he will still need God to do something for him.

 

[KimPetras]

$400 is ALOT of money. I think the more appropriate amount to give him would be $250.. I'm sure YOU probably have need of some of that $400 also.

I agree, $400 is a lot of money. Then again, to some people $1,000,000 dollars is a "small loan".

 

[Depleted]

I have a coworker who has come on a sudden financial crisis. He's 28, single, and is raising his two kids. He's a hard worker and management has never had any issues with him. Recently his check was garnished around $250 without our local property knowing about it (it happened at the corporate level). It was garnished for a car debt he had from years ago and he had forgotten about it.

Now his lights are off and he had just bought a bunch of groceries for his kids. He's a brother in Christ so I've prayed with him and for him for several days. He walks around looking like he's on the brink of tears, and when I asked him if he was okay today he said: No not really.

He asked later in the day if he could borrow 100 and he promises to pay it back. If I give him money, I don't want him to worry about giving it back to me at all; it's a gift.

Sometimes when I give, I'm told I give too much, but I want to give him $400 as a gift. I was recently in the hospital and I joined a gym to better my health. So I"m already spending 250 a month more than I normally would and my extra money is now nonexistent.

I withdrew the 400 from my savings, but then I considered: maybe I should only give him 200?

But then I wonder: is not giving him 400 a lack of faith? Shouldn't I just trust that God will replace my $400? The "human" side of me says to be reasonable, but I want to be obedient to God. But if I'm not giving truly cheerfully is it really obedience?

Do you guys see my internal dilemma here? What's the biblical response?

So, it's a day later and this was urgent, and I'm asking. You don't have to tell us what God told you to do, but did you get his answer yet?

 

[Dan58]

Not necessarily. We knew we owed taxes on money we made for part of one year, but before and after we were paid that money we had no jobs and no income

Yes, but I believe the OP was talking about a former debt from a car loan. whereby the borrower had to be aware of it. So the "I forgot about it" excuse doesn't really fly. I'm guessing it was more of a "I thought they forgot about it".. You were obviously dealing with Satan himself, or better said; The most ruthless and powerful entity on earth, the IRS.. And in that case, yes they can shock you with no warning, and they're seldom fair. I can relate, I'd rather get a dozen root canals than get audited again.

 

[coby2]

I have a coworker who has come on a sudden financial crisis. He's 28, single, and is raising his two kids. He's a hard worker and management has never had any issues with him. Recently his check was garnished around $250 without our local property knowing about it (it happened at the corporate level). It was garnished for a car debt he had from years ago and he had forgotten about it.

Now his lights are off and he had just bought a bunch of groceries for his kids. He's a brother in Christ so I've prayed with him and for him for several days. He walks around looking like he's on the brink of tears, and when I asked him if he was okay today he said: No not really.

He asked later in the day if he could borrow 100 and he promises to pay it back. If I give him money, I don't want him to worry about giving it back to me at all; it's a gift.

Sometimes when I give, I'm told I give too much, but I want to give him $400 as a gift. I was recently in the hospital and I joined a gym to better my health. So I"m already spending 250 a month more than I normally would and my extra money is now nonexistent.

I withdrew the 400 from my savings, but then I considered: maybe I should only give him 200?

But then I wonder: is not giving him 400 a lack of faith? Shouldn't I just trust that God will replace my $400? The "human" side of me says to be reasonable, but I want to be obedient to God. But if I'm not giving truly cheerfully is it really obedience?

Do you guys see my internal dilemma here? What's the biblical response?

I wouldn't expect God to give it back. You have savings. Give what's on your heart.
I once gave someone 1200 because he really needed it but then I had 50 a week to spend with 3 kids for months. I'd still do it though. Noone else cares.

 

[lettucepray]

Hey Called4Christ, Interesting reading your situation! I don't know of any scripture which might be relevant to you off the top of my head, only the advice of "Love your neighbor as yourself". This person is your coworker, so you are neighbored to them through work relations... and giving them money when you can afford to is a very Godly act! You can always trust God to provide for you when you need Him, just by doing his will and letting him shine through your private thoughts and deeds. Just be in your coworkers situation, if you were in debt, what would 200 dollars feel like? Pretty great if you ask me. 400 too! Anything would help. Any deed of giving would be worth to the Lord what it would feel like for YOU to receive it on your lowest day. BTW Though, 250 a Month for a gym?!? Wayyyyy too much lol.

 

[slave]

"I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourself, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings. (Luke 16:9).

This is where God is inviting you to look at life thru His eyes. He wants you to live life thru Spiritual truth and nothing outside of it, lest ye be a victim of worry..

Here is a humble man, in your friend, who is striving to support his family, and he has actually asked you for help in time of need to do so.. God teaches us that in this situation without fail, we should be prepared to offer resources and wisdom to those in need. Now the battle begins right? How much? How much is right according to God's will, and what amount would be best over good enough if I want to show my love to my Lord best served?

Verse after verse tells us to procure a generous heart, yet He also talks about living on the basis of His wisdom and not our own. So, first things first: Be in continual prayer, and "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will direct your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6).

In Gen. 1:26-29, God starts us out with Him handing us the torch of stewardship of the things of this earth. God wants us to voice our personality in Him and act out on His behalf. So, God trusts you to trust Him in other words, as you are in Him wholly. With that said, the actual dollar amount is up to you giving way in you understanding of both what you desire to gain in the truth of Spiritual truth and in way of responsibility in love offered congruent with the responsibility of stewardship, thus concluding with the guidance of the Holy Spirit the amount you will give. Meditate on things God has made already clear in principles to you, from His Word, and life experiences, and ask God to invest in you to come up with the correct dollar number, don't be afraid to pray specifically.. God will give you His "ought to" for you.

Satan is dying to get involved too. Ask God to guard your heart, for if you give to be honored by men for your great generosity, you are giving for the wrong reason. If 200 felt good, but you feel guilty for not giving 400 this is not the voice of God, guilt is not a tool of motivation from God, it is not the voice of God. If you give to gain as an investment of stuff over a gain in faithful closeness to your relationship with God, which He promises then to reward, you have not used Luke 6:38 correctly either, "Give, and it will be given to you."

And then there is financial folly. God wants us to use our mind, to be efficient in our love bearing gifts. He asks us to save, to work, to pay attention to investment and return values best served for His Kingdom. Spiritual Stewardship, is not concerned with worldly Stewardship, but is wanting us to take control of the things of this earth, for His Kingdoms sake.

Also, God's Word says, to use wealth to "gain friends" for yourself, but doesn't say to "impress people" so that they want to be your friends. This too is Satan side-stepping you in gift-giving. Ultimately it comes down to: "Love God as a verb, never stepping outside of whom you are as a Christ-lead human being, and all things will turn out good for those who love the Lord." And after testing the Spirits, God will quietly and assuredly place an "Ought-to" in your mind. I suggest you go with that.

 

[seoulsearch]

Called4Christ,

Kudos to you for wanting to help someone in need!! People have already given you sound advice here, but I'd also like to add:

1. I agree with sassylady as far as having the person bring a specific bill to you and paying it or buying them groceries, because you don't know what the person may be doing with the money. I've known and tried to help lots of people "in need"--and then found out they were spending the money on drugs, alcohol, or trying to help other people without getting their own priorities straight.

2. This person asked for $100--personally, I'd give no more than, let's say, $25, and see what happens. The problem is that once you start, it becomes an endless cycle. The next thing you know, this person is going to come to you and say, "Hey, my kids could really use some new clothes for school, and I can't afford any right now. Would you possibly be able to help?"

It's up to you if you want to become a steady stream of income for this person. But from what you've described, I wouldn't be surprised if that's exactly what happens.

Don't think you have to give in big amounts to make a difference. After years of enabling irresponsible behavior, I've put my personal limit at $20. Now of course, there's always exceptions--especially with long-time friends and family--but for myself, I've learned to be a lot more cautious.

Yes, this person probably does have a lot of problems. But you don't know how many of them they might be sustaining with their own choices.

 

[Chuckt]

I think he needs to use a little wisdom from the Bible not to get into this mess:

Biblical Perspective on Debt

 

[Called4Christ]

Hi everyone,
Thank you for your responses, sorry it took so long for me to log back in. I prayed over it as Depleted suggested and thought a lot about everyone's responses, my own heart, and I asked God to please just tell me, somehow, because I had no idea what to do. I went to sleep. I literally dreamed about finding $200.00 on the ground and thinking "This is for _______". When I woke up, I considered the dream, prayed again, and felt at peace with giving my coworker $200. It's just 40 shy of the entire bill and it's double what he asked for. (I found later that the exact amount he was garnished was closer to $240)

When I gave it to him, I told him it was a gift and to not worry about repaying me, to be at peace.
The next day when I saw him his spirits had lifted.

Last night I got a call for a last minute babysitting gig and they gave me a bonus- for a grand total of $50! I also earned enough overtime this pay period to earn nearly $100 (before taxes of course) in OT. All of this extra will go back into my savings account to replace what I had given my coworker.