How We Tell If A 
Client Is Being Honest

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Q 
If twenty-five people ask for help how do you select which ones to help if you only have enough money to assist one or two?
A 
Selecting clients to help is also a process in which we use our best judgment after praying for God's guidance.  We hope we don't receive several calls in one day from disabled or elderly persons.  We hope always to give some assistance to these persons when funds are available. 
When we initially interview a person, we generally do not offer to immediately help them.  This way, if a dramatic need comes to our attention late in the day, we still have room to maneuver.
We may initially offer to pay $25, or $30 toward a utility payment, urge them to keep looking for the balance, then call them back in a few days to see how they are doing. 
Q 
How often do you help the same people?
A 
Generally our assistance is a one time gift: an emergency payment to a utility company, a partial rent payment, money for gas, car repairs, prescriptions, or the like.  However, a few people are stuck in a hard place.  In these cases we talk with them about alternatives.  We may help a second or third time.  Sometimes a radical decision by the client is appropriate, such as moving in with a relative.
In a catastrophic situation we may try to locate a group of people to give sustained help for a period of time.
Q 
What do you mean exactly when you say trust God for his direction?  In practical terms how does this work? 
A 
Once we become confident that we are not in charge, this sets the tenor of the ministry.  We are here as God's workers to serve others in His name.  He is faithful to provided what is needed. 
Knowing that we do not have to resolve a clients' larger problem, we can move forward in a relaxed manner and wait on discernible guidance from God.  We tell clients  that God has many resources for aid.  We are just one. 
He makes some cases seem more important to us than others. 
All of this hinges on believing that God wants this work accomplished, and that he uses servants who will lean on Him for answers. 
We do our best to stay in His presence.  The rest is up to Him.
Q 
Can't needy people get their emergency needs taken care of by public non profits, or by governmental agencies?
A 
There are many who, for one reason or another, do not yet receive services.   Governmental aid is decreasing. 
Some truly needy people receive too little to cover emergency expenses. Many elderly person receive $600 per month, or less.  There is no money for replacing a water heater, making roof repairs, or for extra prescriptions. 
Programs that use federal money have drastically reduced their services.   They are giving clients a list of public agencies and churches to call.  Unfortunately church organization are moving slowly to fill the gap.  Many churches still have no local compassionate outreach.

Q 
How do you assist welfare mothers?
A 
There are various reasons people end up on welfare.  We cannot assume that they are all lazy. Some of them deserve limited assistance in emergency situations.  Each has a story that is worth hearing. 
Governmental aid is based on legislative directives, not on biblical truths.  Case workers who have direct contact with clients are technicians who are not necessarily compassionate.  Yet, people who are poor, need a gracious, compassionate hand to encourage them toward a higher godly style of life.
The government does not offer spiritual advice.  They cannot. However, when a client asks us for assistance, we can steer the conversation to our own agenda, which includes their spiritually well being. 
We may offer just a friendly ear.  When a person has no one to talk with about their problems, a ten minute positive, nonjudgmental, conversation can be valuable.   Once, after talking to a single mother about trusting God for her answer, she phoned back a few hours later with a glowing report.  "Guess what God did," she said.  She had found help from an unexpected source.
We often find a way to talk about the godly life style. 
A tangible gift, even a small one, helps.  We may send a follow up letter with a few postage stamps.  God can build on even the smallest seed.

Q 
Do you think every local church should have it's own compassionate ministry?. 
A 
There is no better way to grow as a Christian, than the first hand experience with people who need God's love.  Jesus said, "love others as I have loved you."  People who are suffering from financial lack should be loved just as much as those who are physically sick should be visited in hospitals. 
Even a beginning church outreach budget of $100 to $500 per month is a seed that God will use for His glory.