Not being a Bible scholar, I may be overlooking something, but I don't ever remember Jesus telling anyone "no" when they needed help, healing, or handouts. All scripture I can recall shows Jesus as always available to those who sought him. Even when he went to mountaintops, the crowds followed.
How do we tell others "no" when Christ, our role model, seemed to be in a constant state of giving and serving?
The pat answer is pray and only do what the Spirit leads you do to. In theory, simple. In practice, not so easy.
1. At times the Spirit and our personal wishes can sound the same. If I am not excited about a particular act of service or giving, I can impose my will to the point I fool myself in to thinking the Spirit has spoken to me.
2. (I know this should be secondary, but it is reality.) When we tell people we run the risk of them being upset with us, which no one likes. There is also the risk that we hurt our witness to that person.
3. We don't want to admit that we cannot do it all. Pride and vanity keep us feeling like Superman and Wonder Woman.
As I sit here writing this, a thought just came to mind. For my in particular, I need be more selective in how I spend my "free" time so that I will have the time I need to help those who the Holy Spirit directs to me.
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