Volunteers

[stanshall]

I am unemployed and am putting my faith in Jesus to help me find the right job. Until then I've been volunteering at a local Baptist mission hanging up clothes on the racks, etc. But I am having a spiritual problem on what's going on inside the mission.
The door to the mission is opened to the homeless, low income, etc at a certain hour. They are allowed to go and freely choose items for themselves (clothes, knick knacks) for a 10 minute period. Then a pastor speaks Scripture for a short time before allowing these people to get a free meal.
My problem is this: Most of the volunteers get first pickings on the items meant for the poor. "I want that."I'm taking that home with me!" are normal catch phrases I've heard on a regular basis. What part of The 10 Commandments is lost when it is well stated, "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's possessions"? Don't get me wrong, most of these volunteers are wonderful people, but if Scripture's Word is eternal, and you proclaim to be Christian, how will they answer to Jesus when they are judged? I have never taken any possessions donated for the poor and have even been offered to take what I want. But I can't do it. This week I saw some shorts that immediately I considered asking for but my conscious would not allow it. When someone brags about having a wardrobe of hats and clothes from the mission at their house, something spiritually doesn't sound right. If I am over analyzing this too deeply, please let me know.

 

[Brother-Paul]

Greetings my friend

My heart is troubled, I feel your is too, you have a good heart and what you see is wrong.

It seems to me, though I could be wrong I am not there, that volunteers have free run, is the pastor there to guide what is right or wrong, if he isn't I feel you should politely and apologetically tell him of your concerns, allow him to look into the matter express your concern in love as you have above.

What you are saying does happen, it happens at bring and buy, at fayres, money raising events etc, although the people should know better there does not appear to be any control, if the minister wants these things to take place, although he/she is a busy person, he/she has a duty t make sure it is done correctly.

May the Lord Bless you and guide you, meanwhile we pray for you.

Jesus loves you we do too.

 

[Hekuran]

Yes. Agree that you should raise this to the person in authority. But it's not necessarily the pastor. Who is overseeing the volunteer's work and the distribution of clothes?

Hope the right job comes up soon. I was unemployed at the beginning of this year and hated it. Give your best to the Baptist mission and keep trusting God.

 

[Christ4Ever]

I am unemployed and am putting my faith in Jesus to help me find the right job. Until then I've been volunteering at a local Baptist mission hanging up clothes on the racks, etc. But I am having a spiritual problem on what's going on inside the mission.
The door to the mission is opened to the homeless, low income, etc at a certain hour. They are allowed to go and freely choose items for themselves (clothes, knick knacks) for a 10 minute period. Then a pastor speaks Scripture for a short time before allowing these people to get a free meal.
My problem is this: Most of the volunteers get first pickings on the items meant for the poor. "I want that."I'm taking that home with me!" are normal catch phrases I've heard on a regular basis. What part of The 10 Commandments is lost when it is well stated, "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's possessions"? Don't get me wrong, most of these volunteers are wonderful people, but if Scripture's Word is eternal, and you proclaim to be Christian, how will they answer to Jesus when they are judged? I have never taken any possessions donated for the poor and have even been offered to take what I want. But I can't do it. This week I saw some shorts that immediately I considered asking for but my conscious would not allow it. When someone brags about having a wardrobe of hats and clothes from the mission at their house, something spiritually doesn't sound right. If I am over analyzing this too deeply, please let me know.

First welcome to Talk Jesus Brother,
Next, this is something that you should bring up with the Pastor. Maybe, putting someone in charge of the distribution of items as mentioned by Brother Hekuran might be a suggestion you can also bring up. Leadership always appreciates it when you identify the problem, but have a solution in mind.

Once again, welcome to Talk Jesus and I hope God opens a door for you that you might find a job.

With the Love of Christ Jesus.
YBIC
Nick
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