Obligation and Wisdom

KATHY—Obligation is the binding power of a promise, a vow, a contract or a law, but it is also the binding force of civility and kindness.  That makes obligation a strategic weapon against Christians.  I stood on the sidewalk waiting for Marty.  I had leftover donuts in a box under my arm.  A homeless woman was walking toward me.  Kindness immediately bid me to give them to her, yet I felt a check in my spirit.  I learned later that while it would have been a kindness, it would not have been wisdom.  There was a ministry for the homeless in that very block that met their needs on a daily basis. There were signs setting the order of how and when such ministry was appropriate.  The order was for protection of the homeless so they would not break city rules.  I would have been encouraging that woman to get out of the set order, which would eventually disqualify her for the ministry that sustained her there. We must be wise the remainder of this year and budget our efforts as diligently as our pocket books.