St. Thomas Aquinas Praying - Ethical Dilemma

O God, grant that whatever good things I have, I may share generously with those who have not, and that whatever good things I do not have, I may request humbly from those who do. Plant deep in me, Lord, all the virtues, that I might be devout in divine matters, discerning in human affairs, and burdensome to no one in fulfilling my own bodily needs. Order me inwardly through a good life that I might do what is right and what will be meritorious for me and a good example for others.

- St. Thomas Aquinas

A couple of weeks or so ago I was facing a small dilemma in my life and ministry. Some of our colleagues in Mexico - Mayans - have relied on an agricultural project to help with their support needs. We have been doing this for about 10 years, now. 

Well, the guys have run out of capital. So, what do I do? Do I use some of my money - an inheritance from my parents that we really need for our retirement? It was weighing on me, because I believe that Jesus really meant it when He said.:

Luke 6:30

30 Give to everyone who asks you,

So, what do I do? I had already given the lion's share of the money to my husband to invest somewhere for retirement. We are missionaries and our income is on the lower end of the scale. No, we are not poor, but we are on the bottom of middle class. We are fine, but are also getting to that age where retirement is looking more like a real possibility all the time. No, missionaries don't really ever retire, but they do transition to other kinds of ministries. So, I would be taking back some of what I had already given to my husband. 

Anyway, that's the context of this dilemma.  What to do? 

A friend reminded me that in the story of the Good Samaritan, he did not take the wounded man home. We can reason from that fact that our own homes come first. Yes, be generous, but do not give away what your own family needs.

I think that has an application to ministry. How many children of pastors and missionaries lose their faith because the parents were giving away what really belonged to the children - their parents' time, love, and care for them as part of the family unit. Many Christian workers are no better than infidels in that regard. 

My own family needs that inheritance money - which is not a large amount, but it is something. 

Anyway, my friends in Mexico still had a need, and it still weighed on me. 

I stumbled on this quote from Aquinas, and I think that in what he says, there is proper Christian, Biblical balance. Be generous. Do not be a burden on anyone. If you are not able to meet a need you know about, then ask people who do have the means necessary to help. 

So, I have asked others for help in this.I was trying to figure out how to do it on my own, and maybe God has another idea.  If God provides through them, then isn't it like His saying that the project is His will and it needs to go forward? I am going on the assumption, one that we have lived by for all our married life. I don't want to implicate God as if I know exactly what His mind is, but I asked for help. 

We have until January.  For now, I am at peace about it.  We shall see. No, I am not asking anyone who may read this for help. This is not a fundraising post. It is about how Christians resolve ethical dilemmas using Scripture, common sense, and sound reasoning - like Acquinas and many others have done before and since. 

If I just went by some gut feeling, I would have sent the money down, and made my family unhappy. I had not considered all options, including the fact that it may not be God's will. My heart is willing to give, but that may not be enough in all cases.