The False Beggar

A man dressed up like a beggar one day and went out on a street corner. Many people walked by, ignoring the man, until finally a young woman stopped and gave him one dollar. He said to her, "You have been generous with what you have, so I shall be generous in return," and he gave her a fifty dollar bill.

The young woman was surprised by this, and she went and told her friends.

A few moments passed, and an elderly man stopped by and gave the man disguised as a beggar some money. The false beggar told him, "You have been generous with what you have, so I shall be generous in return," and he gave the old man a fifty dollar bill.

The old man was surprised by this, and he went and told his friends.

A few minutes later, a married couple stopped and gave the false beggar a few dollars. The false beggar said, "You have been generous with what you have, so I shall be generous in return," and he gave the couple a fifty dollar bill.

The couple was surprised by this, and they went and told their friends.

After the couple had left, the man went home. Later that day, dozens of people were out on the streets giving money to the poor, hoping that they would find the beggar who handed out fifty dollar bills. Although none found him, the poor were helped, and the people who had given money out felt good that they had helped people, even thought they had not received money in return.

So if people would be willing to help the poor if they thought they would get fifty dollars, why would you not if you knew you would receive eternal life?