Ask Rosie

Dear Rosie:
I am a Christian who attends church regularly. A few months ago, I loaned a sister some money to pay her water bill, and told her to pay me back when she had the money. I hadn’t thought about it until she told a friend of mine that she just bought a new car. I’m so mad, I feel like suing her for non payment. What should I do?
Mad in Maitland

Dear M in M:
You committed two grievous errors when you loaned the money. Not only did you lend money with the expectation of having it returned, you also considered court action against a brother or sister in Christ. Deuteronomy 15:8 tells us to be openhanded and freely lend whatever a brother or sister needs. Dr. Luke teaches us we should not expect repayment for anything, for “what credit is that to you”? As for pursuing court action, God tells us that taking a brother or sister in Christ to court is a definite no-no.
What you can do is pray that your sister comes to see the error of her ways, and that you reconcile yourself to continue to love her despite what happened, and chalk the matter up to experience. Never lend anything you cannot part with, and always give with the spirit God intended for us to have. The fact that you gave freely says volumes about your character. God will deal with the rest.

Dear Rosie:
I currently find myself at a crossroads and have some serious decisions to make. I’ve prayed about them, and doors seem to be opening. My concern is that I don’t know if this is of God. How do I know if the Lord is opening these doors or if Satan is trying to lure me into something down the road?
Sincerely,
Searching for Truth

Dear Searching:
There are three ways to test for God’s leading in any circumstance. The opening of doors is one way, but, it must be tested against two other immovable truths. Ask yourself if these open doors can in any way lead to sin? Is there anything shameful, deceitful, shady, or dark in any way? Will you have to hide any information about this open door from anyone? Is it honoring to God? Even if it is not outright sin, the Lord can have nothing to do with anything that is dark in any way. If it passes the ‘dark’ test, then, test the circumstances against the ultimate authority, God’s Word. Get a complete concordance and see what the Lord has to say about your circumstances.
The three way test always works. Our God is an awesome, unchanging God.