We have all been there, driving by or walking by someone who is in need of assistance. (http://www.buzzle.com/articles/homeless-people.html) The first questions and thoughts that often pop into our minds when our eyes meet is, “Do I give them money or not? Do I give them a gift card or not? Maybe they are just taking advantage of me. Or maybe they truly do have a “legitimate” need that I can help with.”
Our church helps serve a meal for the residents at the Churches United for the Homeless (http://www.churches-united.org) on every 5th Sunday. I have joined them one time in preparing the meal and it was a great experience for me. At the same time I was overwhelmed by the need. It was the only time in my life that I was at a loss for words when someone asked me to pray before the meal was served. The homeless are just one group of people who need assistance in our country and the world. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homelessness_in_the_United_States) But then I had the thought, “How many people in our own churches have physical, emotional, or spiritual needs as well?”
The impression made on me that evening motivated my wife and I to send the organization a financial gift shortly afterwards. However, I don’t believe I was even close to the spirit of the following verses we find in Acts 4:33-35: "God's grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostle's feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need." Who is “anyone in need?” I am sure most of your churches and your personal benevolent guidelines try to explain who “anyone in need” is.
Do we apply those verses in our lives? How many people do we know who are in need? If someone we have contact with could not pay their rent, would we drain our savings to meet the need? If someone in our small group wrecked their car, would we give them ours? Would we send a check to a ministry that helps the less fortunate in our world? Would we really dare to view our things as our “neighbor’s” things as well? If we did incorporate this view it might lead to more friendships with others and especially those who are less fortunate not only physically but emotionally as well. Nelson Mandela said in his book, The Long Walk to Freedom, “There is little favorable to be said about poverty, but it was often an incubator of true friendship.” I will be the first to admit that my attitude needs an adjustment in this area. In this rich country we live in we probably don’t expose ourselves enough to those who are in need.
Do we pray to God - grant us success at work, in business, and with our money so that we can help those around us? According to Jeff Manion, “the chief inhibitor to generosity isn't greed; it’s fear. A person asks if I support a Compassion International child at $30 a month, will I have enough for me?” Let’s not be afraid to be generous. God does supply all our needs. Let’s step out in faith and overcome acedia in this area of our lives. The next time you see a person in need step out of your comfort zone and do something you have never done before.
