The Least Of These
Posted February 25th, 2008 by ErnestSo there’s a homeless guy that you see around town pretty often. One day, he approaches you on the street, asking for money. You compassionately give him a couple bucks.
You know, the “least of these” and all that.
The very next day, you see that same homeless guy sitting on a park bench, obviously drunk, with a beer in one hand, and a cigarette in the other. He’s still begging, but since he’s intoxicated, he’s pretty aggressive about it. Do you ever give him more money?
Surely someone would claim “stewardship,” saying that it wouldn’t be very responsible of us to continue “wasting” money on someone who obviously doesn’t use it wisely.
Do the actions of others ever release us from our responsibilities as Christ-followers? Did the homeless guy deserve our help this first time, but not the next? Can accountability exist outside of a personal relationship? What is our motivation for generosity?
I believe that missional living requires that we demonstrate what it might be like to live in a right relationship with the world around us. The proper way to relate to sin it to confess it, repent from it, and run from it. The right relationship with all people is love.
What is the right relationship to a stranger in need?
Today I gave 20 euros (which, considering the current exchange rate, is something like $600 US dollars) to a homeless man who “lives” around our neighborhood. He was drunk, and had a cigarette in one hand. Giving felt like the right thing for me to do, but it really bothered me that the man didn’t seem to appreciate it.
Unless writing a lot makes one a "writer," Ernest is a former missionary. After more than six years in Western Europe, he moved to Portland, where he drinks too much coffee and over-analyzes human behavior. For more about Ernest, visit the About page where you can read a long-time reader's interview with him. Or, if you don't mind waiting a very, very long time, send him an email.
5 Responses to “The Least Of These”
February 26th, 2008 at 4:38 am
Yeah, growing up in South America I have struggled with this all my life. But, when you really think about it, how much help is it to hand out money every once in a while? That is really an easy way to appease our sense of duty. If we really want to help it takes a little more effort. Truly helping the least of these takes a lot more time and investment than most of us (myself included) are usually willing to expend. And in the end, it is frustrating when we make the effort and a person rejects our real help. “I just want your cash, Mister.” Why does it have to be so hard?
February 28th, 2008 at 10:31 am
I recently gave a guy twenty bucks so he could buy a “part for his car” I knew better, but still gave him the cash. I see his mug in the news this week, saying he got arrested for forging a check. I probably still would have helped him out.
I’ll never forget what a former homeless guy told me one day as I was serving alongside him in a soup kitchen. I asked him how he felt, knowing that many of these people in line were drug addicts and prostitues or just plain lazy bums. His reply was “Jesus told me to feed the poor, not try and figure out who is cheating me.” That changed my perspective.
watchman
February 28th, 2008 at 1:04 pm
Jason,
I totally agree that people need more than a handout. I really mean it when I write that we need to build redeeming relationships with people.
That said, I’m pretty sure it’s a good thing when we give anything- even just a one-time handout. I’m afraid that we paralyze ourselves from doing even that because we realize that a greater investment would be better.
Watchman,
That’s exactly what I mean. How cool that you heard it from someone who was in those shoes.
I think God is pleased when we give to people in need, no matter how the recipients manage what’s given.
March 16th, 2008 at 3:55 pm
I think we must give as led by the Holy Spirit because we simply aren’t capable of making judgments in this area. Money and our knowledge of good and evil has too strong a pull on us apart from the guidance of God – it is only in Christ that we can be strengthened to do all things.
I think it is interesting that people want to debate all the circumstances in light of a command to give to those who ask of us. But I admit I do it too.
March 16th, 2008 at 6:57 pm
Bryan,
Good point about our need to depend on the Holy Spirit every step of the way. He knows what’s best for the begger and the rich man.
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