Pay Day

I did something I normally don’t do the other day. I was pumping gas and a young guy approached me asking for money, saying he only had $1 on him. Meredith was in the car, the station was busy, and I was getting ready to pay with my credit card. I told him no, I didn’t have anything to spare.


In the minute after, I thought, do I really not have anything to spare? Here I am, able to fill up my gas tank, and the price of gas is crazy right now. People that may have been getting by a few months ago may now have a hardship because of the price of gas. I’m not huge into labels and brand names, I buy stuff on clearance or sale a lot, and am pretty thrifty, but in that moment I thought, really, Kristen, with your Keen shoes, RayBan sunglasses, tank full of gas, daughter off to yet another lesson, did I really not have anything to spare?

I went into the car to my wallet and pulled out $5, went over to the guy’s car and gave it to him. I said it won’t get you far. He said thank you, and then I saw him and a young lady up at the station window, counting out dollars and pennies to pay for some gas.

I was on my way taking Meredith to swim lessons. Randomly, in walk this guy and the girl. I will say, it sort of wigged me out, but they weren’t there looking for me. They were meeting someone else, who I will assume to be one of their mothers, and appear to have a son in the other group of swim lessons as well. I’m not even sure he recognized me, and if he did he pretended not to.

I couldn’t help but watch, make up stories in my head about their situation, and try and figure out the irony of running into them at the pool. I called Frank on the phone, who instantly was in protection mode saying make sure they don’t follow you out, or follow you home. I told him I would, but I could tell they weren’t there to follow me.

I read a sarcastic statement once that said “I always give money to strangers for fear that it is Jesus in disguise”. And well, isn’t it really? Aren’t we all sort of “Jesus in disguise”?

I know we are all protective of our money, and want to be sure our donations are used in the right way. Jesus said give. He didn’t say, give, but only tax deductible, organized, with 50% of profits or more not going to administration fees.

In a way, I can only control my action- one that should be of selfless giving. I can’t control the actions of others. Maybe he used it to buy his son an ice cream after swim lessons that he otherwise couldn’t afford, or the gas to get there to see him, or maybe he used it for a 40 oz. of beer. It’s possible. I don’t know what that $5 was used for, and really, I don’t care. He is responsible for how he used the gifts he was given, just like I’m responsible for mine.

Matthew 25: 35-40

35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’