This has always been a tough one to figure out for me. I think everybody here has some valid points, regardless of their stance.
It is hard in this world when sadly most of the time most people WILL take advantage of a giving person. I feel like there have been times when I've not been appreciative when someone has helped me, or that I even used the blessing wisely. Most of the time, not even meaning to, but truth be told I know I am not innocent in having taken advantage of some kind hearts. So I guess, I can say I've been on both ends.
Before we had children my husband and I took in a childhood friend of my brother's, who I also loved dearly. He was a heroine addict and we did everything to try and help him but he continued to use, steal from us etc etc. Oh, he would cry and break down and swear he was so sorry, and would never do it again, and that really made it hard for me to put him out on the streets. I was so scared something awful would happen to him. My husband thought I was a sucker but I would get so upset that he would let him stay.
So he eventually ended up in jail and when he got out he came back to live with us and the same horrible cycle started all over again. Eventually my husband had enough and told him he needed to go.
Thankfully, from what I understand he finally got his act together several years later and is living a clean life. Did my husband and I make any difference in his life? I have no idea, but I would do it again, even knowing what a struggle it was.
But to this day, I still pine after a favorite lamp of mine which my parents bought me, that he stole and pawned. How crazy is that? Talk about not being able to let go of the past. After all the emotional ups and downs I still think about that stupid lamp when I think of him. It's laughable! It's like the lamp symbolizes something I thought was MINE and DEAR to me and somebody STOLE it...it was out of my control. But God has been teaching me that NOTHING is really mine, but belongs to Him who gave it. And God controls it all, so I'm thankful for the blessings and am learning not to worry about the past or the future and who's doing what to whom.
As for how to really love our neighbour as we love ourselves.....most days I haven't a clue as to what that actually means! Got to start studying Ray's material on this subject!
God Bless,
Diana