1) It's not my responsibility. Luke 10:30-37: In answering a question about loving your neighbor, it was asked, 'Who is my neighbor?' Jesus gave the story about the Samaritan man helping a wounded man. Jesus said, "Go and do likewise".2) I have problems of my own. Matt. 10:8: Luke 6:38 The Bible says "Freely you have received, freely give." Also, "Give and it shall be given unto you."
3) We have programs for them.1 John 3:17: "This is how we know what love is…if anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?"
4) They are lazy and deserve to be there. James 4:12 , Matt. 9:12-13, Col. 3:12: There is only one lawgiver and judge, the One who is able to save and destroy. Who are you to judge your neighbor?
5) We have others in our church that do it for us. Proverbs - 3:28, 19:17, 21:13, 22:9: Do not say to your neighbor, "Go and come back, and tomorrow I will give it," when you have it with you." "He who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord." "He will reward him for what he has done."
6) If you give to beggars, you will get more beggars. Matt. 4: 23-25, Acts 10:38: Jesus attracted crowds of poor, sick and desperate people, and He did not turn any away.
7) We are setting a bad example if we give in to their needs. John 13:15, 1 Peter 2:21: "For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you." Jesus was our example in service, suffering and giving.
8) The Bible says "You don't work – you don't eat." Matt. 14:13-20: Jesus had compassion on the multitudes and multiplied fishes and loaves to feed them.
9) I didn't know there was a need. Acts 17:30: There was a time when God overlooked ignorance, but now God holds us accountable to what we know.
10) I don't know how to help. James 1:3, Luke 11:9: Ask for wisdom, ask for the Holy Spirit.
Submitted by an UrbanMinistry Blogger on Friday, April 24, 2009, http://www.urbanministry.org/bloggers
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4 comments:
I just started readling your blog.
I just wanted to share a something from St John Vianney that had a big impact on how I look on the homeless. I certainly fall far short in my charity.
"There are those who say to the poor that they seem to look to be in such good health: "You are so lazy! You could work. You are young. You have strong arms."
You don't know that it is God's pleasure for this poor person to go to you and ask for a handout. You show yourself as speaking against the will of God.
There are some who say: "Oh, how badly he uses it!" May he do whatever he wants with it! The poor will be judged on the use they have made of their alms, and you will be judged on the very alms that you could have given but haven't."
St. John Vianney
Wow! That's powerful from St. John Vianney. Thank you for sharing.
this really touches my heart and having been homeless, yes people are truly that harsh and that mean to people in the streets. sure churches fed me there were places i could sleep in winter and most certainly there were places i could shower......do you know when you are homeless you are now at the mercy of street thugs? i had a friend who was a vietnam vet who slept outside a cafe and whenever i got money or could help i would bring him food or even cigarettes if it was what he wanted, just to help....and i was in the same circumstance. One night when "Fred" was sleeping some thugs came and kicked him and beat him in his sleep breaking his arm and badly hurting one of his legs as well as almost giving him a concussion......heres the moral folks as yes this story is true. you have NO IDEA what people go t hrough and all you see is a lazy bum sitting on a corner asking for money.....the next time a homeless person asks you for money reconsider for a moment and at least ask him his story.
Nicole, thank you for sharing!
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