Matthew 5:42 says, "Give to those who ask, and don't turn away from those who want to borrow."

That seems easy enough. Most believers are happy to give to those who have the courage to ask. But what should your response be when the need is obvious, yet the request is unspoken? And, how do you follow Jesus' command to meet the needs of others when you can barely meet your own?

I asked myself those questions while buying diapers at a local grocery store. A few weeks prior, my husband and I had moved with our six-month-old son to center city Philadelphia to begin a new church and "save Philly for Jesus!" Brad and I were young, in love with the ministry, and felt ready to serve God in a radical way.

In short, we were passionately clueless.

I was attempting to buy the cheapest package of diapers with Stephen strapped securely in the cart. "What exciting piece of plastic will be on your butt this week, Stephen?" I asked.

Stephen just looked at me with his big blue eyes. One day, he would wonder ...