Taken advantage of in Eastern Europe?

(click for larger pictures)
Photos by Reid Geary
May 4, 2008

At least twice in the last 48 hours we have experienced situations where someone was kind and helpful to us, only to then tell us how much we “owed” them for their kindness. In my many travels, I have experienced this often. In the past, I would get angry and sometimes even argue. This trip has been different.
First, let me explain what God is teaching me about money. It is all His. Whatever I think I “own” is really just a temporary ownership. I have temporary stewardship of everything….my home (someone else will one day own it), my children (they will soon be on their own), and my money (it simply flows through me to whomever God decides, whether I recognize that or not). What I need to be aware of is how I steward what God has given me. One day I will stand before the Lord and give an accounting of all that He has entrusted to me. When I look at my life from this perspective, it really brings all that I do and where I spend my time and money into a different perspective. That perspective takes on a more eternal perspective versus the temporal perspective we often have of this life.
Now I have known and understood this concept for several years however lately God is teaching me a deeper meaning. If indeed someone has taken advantage of us or is unjustly taking funds not due them, then they are really taking the money from God…not me. I have recently learned that God can deal with those who are unjust or dishonest much better than I can. I have also learned that what may seem inappropriate to me, maybe God’s way of getting funds to someone else from me. I do my best not to judge their motivation. Only God knows their heart, not me.

Secondly, I understand that everything I do reflects on God. As a Christian, I am called to walk in His ways. As I profess Jesus with my mouth, my actions need to speak more clearly than my words. If I argue about the value of their service, then money becomes more important than the person in front of me. From God’s perspective, nothing and I mean NO THING is more important than the person in front of me. If my actions taint the words “Jesus Christ” than I will have to give an account of that on judgment day too. Far be it that I would be a bad influence on another. This is much easier to say than to do. In both cases when I was told to pay for their services, I simply smiled brightly and paid up. I then thanked them profusely for their help, placed my hand on their shoulder and said, “May God richly bless you.” I meant what I said. I trust that God, who is a just God will make right any wrong, whether from me or to me.
You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD. Lev. 19:18

The great benefit of this is I walk away blessed and I don’t have to worry about someone’s motives when they help. I have been helped (and in both cases we really needed help) and they have received what they felt was proper pay for the help. If I feel the least bit taken advantage of, I just give that to the Lord. I trust He will take care of it.
May I also give credit where credit is due….it is God’s grace that has changed me. The more time I spend with Him, the more He molds me to be more like Him. I praise God for His goodness in my life. Please praise Him too!

We have discovered that
one can learn real humility
and appreciation by
downsizing from a 4000
square foot house
to 4 suitcases!