We live in a time and generation where people are less compassionate and are not always willing to help those who are hurting in any form. A lot of people see the homeless or people who are impoverished as a burden. They may believe they could have better if they just tried harder. There are people who believe if I can do it everyone should be able to do it. There is even the mindset that if I had to struggle, they can do the same, and I am not going to make it easy on the next person.
These are all forms of selfishness. I know most will say that is harsh, but is it? How many times do you ride past a homeless person and these thoughts I just mentioned cross your mind? Honestly, your thoughts toward people in impoverished situations could be worse than I describe. Some think well they should just get a job. The reason they may be struggling is because they had a job and got laid off or their position ended. They were once a person working just like you. A large portion of people believe those who live in poverty or face homelessness are mentally impaired or have an addiction. They believe they fail to manage the addiction or mental illness properly or are lazy.
Statistics of the poverty in America
A report by the National Bureau of Economic Research estimated that on any given night approximately 500,000 to 600,000 people are homeless in America (2022). This includes the homeless who can find shelter and two-thirds of this population who live on the street or cannot find shelter. According to National Public Radio based out of Washington, DC in 2022 once financial aid from the government ended from the pandemic, many people faced homelessness. The 600,000 rose to 650,000 homeless in America each day and night.
I was someone who faced homelessness during the pandemic, and it was mainly due to financial struggles. Another big contributor for me was struggling to manage the stresses of life while battling a mental illness during the pandemic.
Homelessness is something that knows no bounds. It can happen to anyone. All it takes is the right financial hardship or a string of unfortunate circumstances. Many people try everything they can, but as life would have it all their efforts to avoid homelessness failed, and just like that, they ended up homeless.
As you get cozy in your bed tonight think God that you are in your bed because a large percentage of the US does not have that. The next time you ride by someone who is in need put yourself in their shoes instead of turning your nose up and looking down on them. Some of us reading this message may have family members who we know have faced these struggles. You may even have biases or superficial reasons for looking down on your family or friends.
There are many circumstances that can lead to homelessness. These can include: a lost job, a spouse who was the main provider dies, major hospital bills that just kept piling on, an eviction due to decreased income, partner violence, or leaving a dysfunctional and abusive household, and the list could go on.
In a fallen world we know many people care only for themselves with no regard for others. God wants us to put ourselves in the other person’s shoes. His word teaches us to esteem others above ourselves. We even see the story of the good Samaritan in the word (Luke 10:30-37). Jesus always came to the broken. No matter how the pharisees judged his efforts to help those in need He was drawn to them. He knew they could not help themselves.
What does God word say about how we should treat those in need?
For the poor will never cease from the land; therefore, I command you, saying, ‘You shall open your hand wide to your brother, to your poor and your needy, in your land. (Deuteronomy 15:11).
By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth (1 John 3:16-18).
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.” (2 Corinthians 9:6-9).
God’s word is clear He blesses us so we can bless those in need. We often misinterpret the scripture “God loves a cheerful giver”. There is so much more to this scripture. We are to humbly give expecting nothing and with no strings attached. We don’t give to get something later. When we give, we trust that God will bless us in His timing for the love we showed through giving. Giving cheerfully is about giving from the heart with no strings and not keeping a record to control or manipulate someone.
Remember to help those in need.
Resilient Inspired Spiritual Excellence R.I.S.E. 