2 Thessalonians 3:10-12 - The Chicago Con Artist

Even though I grew up in the Chicago suburbs and frequently visited my grandmother in the city proper, it was always in a safe bubble. My dad would drive us to grandma's apartment on a weekend day and we didn't wander the streets; we just stayed inside and visited, most of the time.

So I was a bit naïve when I began college studies at Moody Bible Institute in downtown Chicago. The only panhandling I'd observed was from the comfortable interior of my dad's car--someone on a street corner with a crude, cardboard sign asking for help. I'd never been approached directly.

As an 18 year old, I soon had several encounters with people asking for twenty-five or fifty cents. Sometimes I gave them money.

But one time, a man shuffled toward me as I was walking in his direction. He stopped directly in front of me, blocking my way and reeking of alcohol.

"Yougot fifty shents fora shanwish?" He slurred.

"Look, there's a McDonalds right there... let's get you a hamburger there!"

"Wusthematter? Doan youtrusht me?"

I again offered to walk with him to McDonalds. He just swore at me and stormed off.

The apostle Paul wrote:
“10 For even when we were with you, we used to give you this command: 'If anyone is not willing to work, neither should he eat.' 11 For we hear that some ...are living an undisciplined life, not doing their own work .... 12 Now such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to work quietly and so provide their own food to eat.” (2 Thessalonians 3:10-12, NET Bible)

Lord, some people need our help and it's not always easy to discern genuine needs. But when it's obvious that someone has created their own problem, give us grace to creatively confront irresponsibility. Temper it with the same compassion you show us when caught in our own folly. Prepare their hearts to hear about Jesus, the only one to really get their life back on track. In His name we pray, Amen.