I used to disbelieve and even scorn church people who sympathetically claimed that they have no money in their pockets (yes, not even a single cent!) when I approached them for donations - yet they drove off in BMWs, Jaguars and Ferraris!
This was my attitude until one fine Sunday when I was approached by little children asking for donations and I had to sadly reject them because I ran out of cash at that moment (after generously patronising our church canteen) - all of sudden, a penetrating thought hit me like a truck: those church people whom I previously disbelieved might have similar true and legitimate reasons like I did! How could I judge them so hastily?
Well, this was just one of many incidents where I experienced what I term "The Boomerang Effect" where I do the very thing I condemn... God certainly knows how to give good lessons!
I've now learnt the graciousness of always giving people the benefit of the doubt - because people may have acted with good reasons unknown to us.
This was my attitude until one fine Sunday when I was approached by little children asking for donations and I had to sadly reject them because I ran out of cash at that moment (after generously patronising our church canteen) - all of sudden, a penetrating thought hit me like a truck: those church people whom I previously disbelieved might have similar true and legitimate reasons like I did! How could I judge them so hastily?
Well, this was just one of many incidents where I experienced what I term "The Boomerang Effect" where I do the very thing I condemn... God certainly knows how to give good lessons!
I've now learnt the graciousness of always giving people the benefit of the doubt - because people may have acted with good reasons unknown to us.
"Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God." (1 Corinthians 4:5)
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