I just blew a great opportunity....

[Pearly Gator]

A minute ago, my phone rang while I was busy surfing the Internet. The caller ID showed the number and indicated "PAY PHONE." I answered the call and said, "Hello, this is Gary." The recorded voice said, "This is a collect call from the County Jail for anyone from, "Danny Medina." "

Instinctively, I just hung up the phone. Then, Holy Spirit smacked me up-side the head. What a great witnessing opportunity I just missed! Here I could have shared Christ's love with a needy stranger.

Oh, Lord. Let me not miss another opportunity to share your love with a stranger who catches me off guard. When I'm busy and get interrupted, let me think of the needs of others above my own. Amen.

Matthew 25:37-40, Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."

:cry:


PG

[Old Believer]

A minute ago, my phone rang while I was busy surfing the Internet. The caller ID showed the number and indicated "PAY PHONE." I answered the call and said, "Hello, this is Gary." The recorded voice said, "This is a collect call from the County Jail for anyone from, "Danny Medina." "

Instinctively, I just hung up the phone. Then, Holy Spirit smacked me up-side the head. What a great witnessing opportunity I just missed! Here I could have shared Christ's love with a needy stranger.

Oh, Lord. Let me not miss another opportunity to share your love with a stranger who catches me off guard. When I'm busy and get interrupted, let me think of the needs of others above my own. Amen.

Matthew 25:37-40, Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."

:cry:


PG

That's tough. I missed a great opportunity awhile back. I was talking with a colleague at school about evolution. She asked, "is there anything else?" Just as I was going to respond the bell rang, instead of saying let's talk later, I just left. At that point I felt my heart sink, as the Holy Spirit let me know I'd let him down.

[stephen]

happened to all of us. We have to recoginze (like you did) we missed it, repent of it, and ask that God would help us to recognize these opportunities, as they arise.

One thing i used to do, was tell homelss/panhandlers I had no money on me, when they asked if I could spare some change, cause I had fallen for the argument that they are either going to spend it on drugs/alcohol/cig's, not on food.

Well one day I got convicted, and I about faced on that. I have had numerous opportunities to talk about Jesus now to dozens, upon dozens of people. Now I do use a little wisdom, and the person is looking nervous, fidgety, or a little too anxious, and they are asking for money to by themselves something to eat, I tell em stay right here, I'm gonna go get em some food, and while they eat, I tell em about Jesus!

[reverbbb]

SCAM! SCAM! SCAM!

Perhaps I am wrong in your specific case. But these random collect calls from the jailhouse are the initiation of a scam. It nearly happen to me. Here is how it works.

You get a collect call from someone at the jail that you never heard of. In my case, I thought maybe it was an unknown friend of someone that I knew that needed my help. The person begins to nearly cry and tell you a very convincing story about how they got caught with a warrant for a minor traffic situation. Then they may tell you a story about how they had their kid was with them when they got arrested. They begin pleading with you that they only can make one collect phone call but they need to get the child's grandmother to come pick up the child before CPS takes over. All they want you to do is hang up, wait for them to call back, dial #84 (I'm not sure of the actual code) then hang up. The code then opens your line for ALL (let me repeat) ALL collect calls from that jailhouse phone to be billed to your phone account until it is deactivated by you. That might be weeks before you get your phone bill and know that this is happening. In the mean time, every prisoner call call ANYWHERE, ANYIME and talk as long as they want on your phone bill. I have heard of this scam being as high as $4000 to an individual's phone bill.

The police and the phone companies are aware of this scam. I have even seen it mentioned on the news.

When they had called me, it was 11:45 on a Sunday night. I listened to the whole story. Having a caring heart, I ALMOST fell for it. The thing that did not make sense was, how was my entering the code going to allow the grandmother to get access to the jailhouse phone. The one detail that bothered me was that, I was supposed to enter the code the next time the call came in and then I was to hang up. Well, they kept calling back but I would not answer. They called back 5 times (by this time, it was well passed midnight and I needed my sleep so I could go to work the next day. So, I called the police. They sent a policeman out to investigate and log the complaint. But the scammer never called back while the police was there or ever again.

PLEASE be careful. Continue to have a caring heart and be a servant for those in need. But at the same time, don't let yourself get scammed.

[reverbbb]

Well one day I got convicted, and I about faced on that. I have had numerous opportunities to talk about Jesus now to dozens, upon dozens of people. Now I do use a little wisdom, and the person is looking nervous, fidgety, or a little too anxious, and they are asking for money to by themselves something to eat, I tell em stay right here, I'm gonna go get em some food, and while they eat, I tell em about Jesus!

About two weeks ago, I came out of a grocery store and had a dollar and some change in my hands. But the change belonged to my aunt who had sent me to the store. A wrinkle faced skinny lady approached me and asked for some change. I told her that I didn't have any and kept walking. My son said "you told her no and you had money in clear sight?". I began to tell him about scams and also trying to help people who are really in need.

As it turns out, I saw the same lady about two minutes later in a different part of the parking lot accepting some money from a lady with children. It occurred to me that she could easily "earn" $400 a day with that begging technique. Then I also remembered recognising her from 11 years earlier. She and a one legged man would stand on the corners at traffic lights and beg. The City of Dallas banned that practice. Just think, $400/day 5 day a week for 11 years. Sad thing is, she probably still lives in a dumpy house and drives a broken down car and is always late on her rent. Am I stereo typing? Of coarse I am. But I see very little evidence of people in "need" living any other way.

The real needy folks are getting rejected by United Way and state agencies. Am I bitter? Yes I am. I have known many (repeat) many folks that could not get help when they needed it from the United Way. To me, they are the worst beggers of all and they choose who and when they are going to help - or not.

[SAguitar]

I agree Reverbbb! I actively support the Union Gospel Mission in my city instead of giving to those with their hands out. I know and trust those who work and serve at the Mission, and they have a proven record of aiding in helping the needy get their lives truly converted. Jesus ordered us to be giving and meek, but also to be wise.

...Not that I haven't passed on opportunities to share. Those hurt when you realize it, but at least you're sensitive enough to be hurt by it, and maybe next time you'll be ready give evidence for the Hope we have in Jesus.

[ptrallan01]

We have all had them.

Even if the call is a scam our witness may be effective. Have you ever been in the middle of doing something wrong and somebody started talking about the Glory of God? Or for those of us who were once drug fiends did you ever try to read the bible while you were high and suddenly become cold sober? Strange experience that one! Remember that both thieves on the cross mocked Jesus but one stopped in his tracks and asked Jesus to remember him!

As far as begging goes there can be some very good money in it. But it is a lot harder work than you might think. Try it sometime and you might find a new respect for the people who do it. There is an art, science and craft to begging effectively, so that you are not a threat, and can get money from people that is sufficient to make a living while standing on the same same corner day after day, in the hot sun, cold wind or falling rain. This is work people!!! And many of these beggers go home to nice homes or apartments. Some don't some do you'd be surprised.

I lived in the American Mecca of begging in New York City. I have tried it, studied it, watched it since I was a child. The best beggars are honest i.e. the lady who stood on 6th ave and 42nd street for about 8 years saying nothing more than, "Coins, quaters, dimes, nickels, pennies. Coins, quaters, dimes, nickels, pennies." Ad naseum. She made a living though and never stole anything, never created a problem and didn't deceive anybody. No threats or coersion was used and if YOU CHOOSE TO GIVE what harm is there in it if it something YOU can afford to give?

Yes, I will buy food for you if you tell me you are hungry rather than give you money. But if you ask me for a quarter, with no other claim, I'll probably give it to you if I have it! If you misspend it, that's on you. But I believe in giving.

Love

Peter

[reverbbb]

:lol: :lol:

I had not had my coffee yet this morning when I went off ragging about beggers and scams.

I clearly see your point Peter. It is not easy for us to make a judgement with every encounter of a begger. It seems easier to assume the scam prevention posture. This is clearly not what Jesus taught.

I should meditate on this subject for a while and see where it leads me. Perhaps God will test me again very soon.

[bvmjethead]

DO NOT answer collect phone calls from someone in jail.....

EVER.........

Trust me.

[seagullplayer]

"Salvation Army"

You can give these people money and never worry about where it goes. This the best charity on the planet. They don't feel it's there "job" to help people in need, they feel it's their "call".
God bless them and their work.

[stephen]

But, what convicted me was, during Jesus' ministry, He met peoples needs. I dont recall Him denying to meet there needs. Yes He rebuked, when someone was wrong, but whatever He had tp give them, He gave.

I dont have the gift to know if someone is trying to scam me, or lying to me (dont want food, wants alcohol), so I would rather err on the side of WWJD. I dont know what there story is, whether or not I'm being lied too, or confronted with a real crisis in this persons life, but I just decided to do it unto the Lord, and let God sort it out (and He does that really well too!)

I always give, either money or food, or assistance as I can, and I always talk to em about Jesus!

[SAguitar]

A very good point, Stephen! You've opened my heart and my eyes a bit, and that's a good thang. I will try to be more open to those opportunties in the future. I know that every time you give someone some money, you are handing them an item with God's holy name on it, and what they choose to do with it is for their accountability. "In God We Trust."

[Teleguy]

"Salvation Army"

You can give these people money and never worry about where it goes. This the best charity on the planet. They don't feel it's there "job" to help people in need, they feel it's their "call".
God bless them and their work.

Amen!
AND, their top official gets only a nominal salary, whereas things like United Way, American Red Cross, etc., have CEO's that make BIG bucks!

[SAguitar]

My day job is workin' for a printing company. Years ago, the company I was with was doing a lot of work for the United Way. When I saw the way the wasted money just in a few printing jobs alone, I decided right there I would never give to that "charity" again. :roll:

[reverbbb]

I think that many of these points are related to Gary's original post. However, there are times when this thread resembles a hijacking. I am mostly to blame for that.

So, let's try to keep the discussion away from the 'pros & cons of charities' and back to the 'opportunities of ministering to folks'. The charities discussion would make an interesting new thread.

Carry on my brothers.

[stephen]

Carry on my brothers.

Again with the carrying! Hmmmm, lets see, "Roadies R Us": we hardly break any instruments. :yikes The search goes on!

Oh, and staying with the thread: I do believe, we do have to take some chances. Now when I say that, I dont meaqn inviting a hockey masked hitchiker, carrying a chainsaw into your home to spend the night. I mean, the guy standing near the drive thru, with burns on his lips (most likely from a crack pipe), tattered clothing, and he looks like he hasnt bathed in 2-3 months +, wreaking of cheap alcohol, and asking if you have a little change to give him.

Now 5 outta 10 times, I usually buy them a meal (something I would like, not just the bargain menu item), and while they are eating, I talk with them. I tell em about Jesus, I tell em about the salvation army, and give em directions to where they are (thery have some housing there too), and I tell em where all the good church's are in the neighborhood. And Yes, I have seen some turn up at mine, and I am always blessed to see em coming.

The other 5 outta 10, yeah, I'm taking a chance, but I'm still giving. The thing that always goes through my head when I occassionally get the fleeting thought, "Awe, come on, someone else can help em this time", or "Hey, you cant save the whole world yourself!", the song "The Sheep and the goats" from Keith Greene starts runnin through me. At that point, I just cant walk away from this person that has a need: a temporary one, and an eternal one.

[bvmjethead]

When you get a $750 phone bill, talk to me about "sharing Jesus" with inmates.

I'm done with this thread.

[Crunchyriff]

bvmjethead-

Who on earth has been harping on phone calls from prison? Nobody.

Sorry if ya got ripped off, but you need to chill, bro. Really. :mrgreen:

Relax, this thread is about the needy. Not prisoner phone scams.

[SAguitar]

Call me collect. :innocent

[reverbbb]

I'm sorry that I pointed out the posibility that Gary's contact might have been a scam.

As bvmjethead has pointed out, this is a serious scam that really does happen to people and some folks might not be aware. That's the main reason that I posted it.

But I sure don't want folks to get side-tracked and sensative about this topic. Currently, we are far from it.

I'm still waiting for my next test that God will serve to me. I pray that I make the best decission that pleases God and helps someone in need.

[MrMike]

I'm not sure how this fits in, but here the jail charges guys to use the phone. The inmates are charged a daily room and board fee, which they are billed for when they get out. I think it's in the neighborhood of 30 bucks per day. However, the phone service at the jail is contracted out to a third-party carrier. One of my clients told me (I work at a substance abuse treatment facility) that a local phone call can cost as much as 12 bucks, which is added on to their bill at the end of their stay.

[stephen]

Hey guys,

Nothing in this thread to get anyone upset about. Lets all take a deep breath, and thank God, that were brothers and sisters in Christ, and we can through the Holy Spirit, edify one another.

I thank God, that reverbbb, & bvmjethead posted about the intricacies of such a scam, and warned us all. I also thank God, that we all can talk about giving ourselves away to the less fortunate, because truthfully, when we give to them, we are giving to Jesus also!

[SAguitar]

That's a True Fact!

[Teleguy]

Yes, sometimes when we try to help people, we're helping the wrong people. That's a chance we have to take in this business.

However, let's not beat ourselves up too badly when we are confronted by our own failures.
I have to believe in a God that can use even the wrong things I say or do for his good purposes, if I have surrendered the day to Him.
After all, Ps 139 tells us, "...behold, you know a word before it is on my lips."
He already knows what I'm going to do or not do, and can still bring about His purpose. I just don't share the glory much if I stay unavailable.

In Genesis 12, we hear Joseph say to his brothers (who sold him into slavery so many years before and have now come to Egypt begging grain):
"...What you meant for evil, God used for good."

I take that as a Biblical principal, and so trust that God can use me even despite all my dysfunctions and defects of character!

We cannot see our influence over our surroundings anymore than Jimmy Stewart in "It's A Wonderful Life."

But the adversary would sure be happy to have us beat ourselves up over our failures.
Smile, you're a child of the King! He Loves us!!!

[Pearly Gator]

Well, I'm glad Reverb brought up the scam issue. It's something that I did not know about. Because of that, I don't feel so guilty and now see that Holy Spirit was actually doing the right thing: protecting me from a financial loss.

Ain't God wonderful? :angel

Gary

[Teleguy]

Every day!

[SAguitar]

From everlasting to everlasting! :cool:

[seagullplayer]

I had not heard about this scam before either, so thankful for the post. I'm so glad God has my back.

Sorry about the "Salvation Army" quote, I didn't mean to redirect the thread. :oops: