When the boy asked for a new bike, the request should have been translated and the request should have been granted if at all possible. "Give to every man that asketh of thee....". Luke 6:30. An opportunity was missed by denying that young man. It is not up to us to judge, justify or rationalize what or why we are asked for something. God knows what He is doing by allowing everything that comes our way.

Any of us who are sent to a particular group of people need to remember that we are not going there to make ourselves feel good about the great "work" we are doing for God. We are going to the people God sends us to so that our lives BRING GLORY TO GOD. We go, not for ourselves, but because those are people Jesus died for and He loves them. Paris Reidhead said it best. Go to www.sermonindex.net and listen to 10 Shekels and a Shirt.

I had the same experience in Pakistan. Over two years there and I can honestly say that I did not have one positive experience with a Pakistani. I have lived overseas much of my adult life, including two other Islamic countries, and have worked to join groups and become part of the community as much as possible. I like to think that I worked to find common ground and expand our understanding of each other. I was able to achieve this everywhere except Pakistan. If one could not/would not be of use to them, they did not see any benifit of getting to know you. It is funny that they mostly hate the US but would give their soul to live there.

I was in Romania a couple of times in the mid 90s teaching an extension class at a large church. While I was there the price of bread doubled during the weekend. Basic staples for life were becoming unafordable. I remember my interpreter saying, "you Americans have a lot to teach us, but one thing we could teach you is how to be a family." I also remember the pain in they eyes of the elderly.

The boy didn't ask for a new bike; he asked for money for a new bike. That in itself would make me wonder, and it’s not unSpiritual to do so. When we go overseas, it is to share the Gospel. If there is an immediate hunger or medical need, sure, let’s meet that need, but we are not there to hand out money.

Perhaps the Lord used Trevin’s response to teach this young man lessons about greed (the Lord's certainly said "No" to certain things I wanted, even for others), hospitality ("When people visit my country, maybe it is not right to hit them up for cash first thing – or ever"), or perhaps He even showed this young man that his brother & sister Christians from the U.S. are brothers & sisters to be loved even if they don’t have a dime to give.

Having said that, here’s a tale from the flipside: I went on a mission trip to a Communist country, and one of my co-missionaries, extremely wealthy, was handing gobs of his money out to nationals. Just dispensing it like a human ATM. Very sad sight to see people clamoring around him while we stood off to the side with no hope of even handing out 20 whole dollars the whole trip. I felt that the man’s action was a distraction, put the attention on everything besides Jesus.

I am glad the writer realized that his love for the people was divinely implanted, and that he was able to continue serving from the right motive, rather than becoming a cynic. As to the imperfection of all people, I concur 100% - C.S. Lewis said in “The Four Loves” that to have an agape love others is very much like acquiring a taste for rancid meat.

HOW CAN I BE A GOOD FOLLOWER OF JESUS