I remember it like it was yesterday…
I was working on North Main at Bethel Constructions around 2006 and was often greeted by one man in particular. This guy was homeless and always smelled of booze. Often times he would offer to rake the leaves out front, wash my car, or take the trash out to have some cash in his pockets. He seemed nice and innocent AT FIRST but some days could be quite belligerent.
So one day I decided to come in early and walk to the Piggly Wiggly to get some groceries and place in the refrigerator at work. At the time I was working two full time jobs and working part time, so three jobs in a row. Daddy always said, “a man that doesn’t work, doesn’t eat.” By the size of my waist, it’s apparent I like to eat and wasn’t about to skip meals because I didn’t work. Anyway, this particular day when I was walking back with groceries in my hand this particular guy asked me for some money to get something to eat. I explained to him I didn’t have any money but offered him some of the food I just brought.
What he said next broke my heart! 😔
He called me out of my name and said something along the lines of, “does it look like I have a microwave, I live on the streets, I need money to buy me something to eat and I want a pack of smokes.”
Because I didn’t have any cash I had offered him some of my Red Barron French bread pizzas. Between El Cheapo, Flying J, and other gas stations I knew they had a microwave but he didn’t want it, he wanted cash. For several months after that encounter this man tainted me. It got so bad I had to keep the front door locked at all times until the Office Manager would come in.
I remembered telling Jasmine what happened to me and she laughed. She wondered why I would offer frozen pizza to a homeless man. This is when “world views” comes into play. I looked at someone in need who needed food, I didn’t look at his inability to heat it up, I was only concerned about him eating.
If only he would have let me finish, I would have even gone inside and heated it up for him so he could eat BUT after he called me a female dog and said some other choice words, I decided to hold my mule and walk away.
In this situation what would you have done?
How many times do we see the poor in spirit, the needy, or the sick and say “I’ll pray for you” and walk away? How many times do we have extra but won’t help someone in their immediate need because we don’t see the need to help them now or too selfish to share of our plentifulness?
Why do we see a need and don’t immediately ACT when we are in a position to do so? Why do we help someone one time and after someone pats us on the back we feel as though we don’t want to bothered with people anymore- like we have done our “good deed” of the day so everyone keep it moving?!!!
Is that persons problem not a priority to you? Is their need not of any value because it doesn’t directly affect you or someone in your household? Do you think praying and walking away you did the best thing because “God’s got it?”
Help me figure this one out so I can wrap my head around why so many people see their neighbors in need and WILL NOT HELP!
THIS IS AN INTERACTIVE MESSAGE, I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU, PLEASE COMMENT BELOW WITH YOUR THOUGHTS, COMMENTS, OR CONCERNS
I’m going to leave my personal opinions out of this message and only stick with scripture today. If you continue to read the rest of the scripture above from James 2nd chapter, you will read this:
The Bible says that even demons believe that God exists and they belief Christ rose from the grace BUT were they willing to have faith in God? Were they willing to help someone in need and trust in God to help meet their needs if it caused you to lack something?
James is calling out those with “phony faith.” It’s time to do a self assessment, is James talking to you? So the next time you see a neighbor in need, pray with them AND act in the now to help meet their need at the current moment. Don’t walk away and wish you acted differently. Leaving the comfort of your own home where you have food galore, you decide to eat out because you have “too many” options-so the food you brought is at home gets spoiled and gets thrown in the trash. That same neighbor you could have helped and just prayed for comes and digs in your trash can for food. You ate three meals and two snacks in one day BUT your neighbor in need hasn’t eaten in days. What do you do act or pray?
Today’s challenge is to help thy neighbor: PRAY WHILE ACTING. Do you accept today’s challenge comment below with the words CHALLENGE ACCEPTED!
Challenge accepted. I remeber you telling me about the homeless man and offering ghim some food. I remeber laughing too.
Of course you would laugh horse nose because you know that man scared the life out of me. I was trying to help but I guess he didn’t want it or didn’t like frozen French bread pizza one?!!!!
Challenge accepted!! I try to keep bags of easy to get to food for those who are out with signs as I go about my days. I’ve noticed too that lately I’m having to make more because of giving them all out. The need is so big especially now. It is heartbreaking. Thank you Whitnee for this reminder. Pierce our hearts, Father.
To God be the glory. Yes Ms. Rita you are so right, pierce our hearts Lord. Allow us to serve others who are in need and be a blessing without expecting something in return.
Challenge accepted! It’s sad how individualistic our culture is… even within the church sometime. We don’t see ourselves in “community” or as a part of the “Body of Christ.” We forget this is how God calls us to function. When one part of the body isn’t functioning or is hurting, the Body is affected and the Body hurts. We often spend more time acting as the Pharisees did in maintaining the “rules” and institution of church. Just my 2 cents!
Amen amen amen! Well said my friend, well said!