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What to do when someone repeatedly takes advantage of Christian generosity?

As believers we should do our best to show God's love by helping people who ask for our help. There always will be folks that seek to take advantage of our generosity. Because every able-bodied person needs to be responsible for his own life, it's important for Christians to know the limits of charity.

A family member came to me asking for money to pay his rent. I considered it my Christian duty to help him out. Later on, he returned asking for another handout. I declined to give him any more financial support because he was making no effort to turn his life around. By refusing to give him money, I helped force him to take the drastic step of getting a job.

"For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat" (2 Thes. 3:10).