People taking advantage of people is, unfortunately, a common experience in our world today. As Grace has experienced a recent text and email scam, our community is not immune to being abused by the outside world. Although we are vulnerable to scams, we need not give in to the machinations of evil people.
Scams come in different forms but they have the following attributes in common:
A compelling story intended to touch our hearts that highlights some problem.
An urgent request for action usually involving giving money or sharing personal information.
A communication that looks normal but actually has something off about it.
An impostor posing as someone familiar to you.
You can counter these lies by being logical and calm:
Church staff are not going to ask you to solve an urgent need all by yourself.
Church staff will not send an impersonal message to you asking you to save the world.
Church staff will not try to force you to do something that seems illegitimate.
Instead of falling to the deception, you can trust your community and your leaders to act in ways that do not take advantage of you but instead invite you walk a life of grace and truth.
If something feels off, it probably is. Read the message carefully multiple times to find the error or lie.
If you aren’t sure about something, ask a friend or family member or someone from the church for guidance, before you do anything else.
Educate yourself on the different types of scams and become familiar with the ways that evil people will try to take advantage of you.
Use logic and common sense.
Here are some helpful resources for further guidance:
You can trust the Lord to protect you, but you also need to be wise about the way you respond to requests that are out of the ordinary.
Here is a prayer I wrote for God’s protection:
Almighty God, we know that you watch over us as your people. Protect us, Grace Church, Oh Lord, from the evil scams and intentions of evil doers. Grant us wisdom to discern those who seek to take advantage of us, that we will continually glorify you with our lives, and lift up your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Stay safe and let me know if I can help you to stay safe in this crazy world!
Father Brian+