When was the last time you spoke to a homeless person? I can probably guess the answer. What stops you from wanting to talk to a homeless person? Are they scary because they look and smell dirty? Do you think you are putting yourself in danger?
Proverbs 21:13
Those who shut their ears to the cries of the poor will be ignored in their own time of need.
Ok, now lets look at a different perspective. Lets say you lost your job and could not support your family anymore and you could not find work. So, you lost your house, car and all of your prized possessions, and it forced you to live on the street. How would that make you feel? Well, guess what? That is the case for MANY homeless people. Now, let’s think about this. How would you feel if you were homeless and no one ever stopped to talk to you or even offer you food, warm clothes, or money? And the reason no one stopped to care was because you looked and smelled unpleasant because you haven’t showered in no one knows how long and because everyone was just too busy and selfish to want to care. After all, we can’t miss our football games, we have to make it to the big sale on the newest video games and we can’t miss going out to dinner at a nice restaurant with our friends and family…right?
Proverbs 17:5
Those who mock the poor insult their Maker; those who rejoice at the misfortune of others will be punished.
If you were homeless and no one talked to you would you feel lonely? If no one cared to cater to your needs would you feel lonely? If you were cold and had nowhere to go, would you feel lonely? And you know that you are not scary. You are a fun, out-going person that just found yourself in an unfortunate situation; why wouldn’t anyone want to talk to you or even help you? What is so wrong with you that no one would want to help you? Well, you’re scary looking and you might be dangerous. And you are thinking…but I’m really not! I’m just a person just like everyone else. Are you getting the picture here? Seriously, close your eyes and picture what this would look and feel like to you if you were living in the shoes of a homeless person.
The homeless are people just like you and I. They seek to be included just like you. They get hungry just like you. They have desires and goals just like you! You and I are no better than those more unfortunate than us.
Proverbs 22:2
The rich and poor have this in common: The Lord made them both.
Proverbs 29:13
The poor and the oppressor have this in common-the Lord gives sight to the eyes of both.
I assure you that just taking the time to talk to a homeless person means the world to them. It brings a smile to their faces because they don’t get to socialize much because people are too afraid to accept them in our everyday society. How do I know this, you ask? Because, I cannot count how many times I have stopped to talk to a homeless person on the side of the road, especially those who are so desperate that they are standing at on and off ramps of highways begging for your help. I have given them food, water, and money so many times. I assure you I have never encountered danger in such an act of service. I am not saying that danger is not possible; I am saying that if you are being generous there is no reason for you to be taken advantage of. Most of the homeless people that I talked to are men, older men. And yet, they are people too. I have never been harmed, threatened, or had the reason to fear danger in these situations. When you give in generosity, believe me, these people are nothing but grateful!
I beg you: do not let fear, nor stepping out of your comfort bubble, talk you out of helping someone in need, especially someone who is homeless. I will tell you why helping the homeless is so important:
I spent about an hour at a Tim Hortons just the other day. Across the room I saw this older man sipping a hot beverage. He was wearing a bicycle helmet. As I looked at him I had a feeling that he might be homeless and by the look at the sleet coming down outside and knowing how cold it was…I just had a strong sense that he may even be in need of food, clothing, or even a warm place to stay. Surprisingly, he sat at his table the entire hour I was there and I was hoping to catch him and speak with him before I left, but as I was on my way out he was nowhere to be found, but his bike was still sitting outside. So, I figured he was in the restroom and I decided to just proceed and head out to the car and go home. So, I started the car and I left. I got half way down the road, towards home, and had this strong feeling that he may not have a warm place to sleep tonight and I couldn’t imagine experiencing sleeping in such cold. So, I turned around and headed back. Sure enough, he was still there and he was preparing himself to get onto his bike to leave. I pulled my car over towards him and asked him if he had a warm place to stay for the night and he assured me that he did and that he had an apartment a few blocks away. This man was so tickled that I stopped to talk to him. I could tell because he couldn’t stop smiling and he was very conversational. He told me that he is 78 years old. Can you imagine traveling by bicycle in the sleet and such cold temperatures? He told me a little bit about himself and he told me that there are so many homeless people and that he knows many of them personally. He said that he tries to help others when he can. Here, this guy clearly didn’t have much. He was traveling by bike and he had a grocery bag attached to the front of it and even he reaches out to help others that are in need! How interesting is that, someone who clearly does not have much is more giving than someone who has substantially much more than he. Think about that for a moment.
Proverbs 28:27
Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to poverty will be cursed.
So, here was the most heartbreaking thing that I heard during our very hearty conversation…he said to me “There are a lot of homeless people and they are dying because they are so cold and hungry” WHAT!? People are dying because of the cold temperatures and because they are hungry? I have food in my fridge and I have a warm home, why am I not giving to these people and preventing them from dying? That is heartbreaking!!!
Proverbs 29:7
The godly care about the rights of the poor; the wicked don’t care at all.
Proverbs 19:17
If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord – and he will repay you.
You know, God loves these people just as he loves you and me. And sure, you can pray for help for these unfortunate circumstances, that these people are enduring. But, don’t you know that we are to be the hands and feet of Jesus? These people are dying because we are too selfish and are more concerned about our “little” problems. We are not even supposed to look down on the homeless!
Proverbs 14:31
Those who oppress the poor insult their Maker, but helping the poor honors him.
Proverbs 14:21
It is a sin to belittle one’s neighbor; blessed are those who help the poor.
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