A (small) Step of Obedience

Recently, I've been in several "discussions" and heard many teach about the poor and about the Church's response and responsibility to them.  While I could spend days discussing the ins and outs of this, the principle that cannot be denied is this: Jesus called us as Christians -- not the government, but don't get me started -- to serve the poor, the orphan, the widow.  I must say that something that bothers me when Christians speak about helping the poor is that they rarely talk about WHY we help the poor.  I believe we do not give to the poor to merely meet their physical needs and thus "fulfill" that item on our To-Do list.   We can't separate their spiritual needs from their physical condition!  While a meal or clothing is incredibly helpful, and often a first step of obedience to Christ's command, what they need most is JESUS Himself.

With all of this discussion going on, I've been challenged to not only discuss, but OBEY.  I think our knee-jerk reaction is to shy away from the extremists with whom we disagree, but I want to discover BIBLICALLY what I am supposed to be doing. 

Enter Hungry Man on the corner of I-240 and Western.  We make a right turn here at least 3 times a week -- on our way to CHURCH no less -- and we frequently exchange waves and smiles with the man.  But I always have that pang of guilt(?) when I drive away having only smiled.  His sign says he's hungry, and let's just be honest here, I don't believe him.  For as long as I can remember, my first response to a homeless person has been, "Yeah, right."  I immediately question his integrity, wonder how many people have been suckered in today by his act, etc.  Well, I'm discovering that, while I should be wise with the resources God has entrusted to me, it should be my response to (wisely) GIVE with compassion.  Does my heart break for the man who has been reduced to standing on a street corner begging for food?  And more than that, do I see his SOUL? 

So, since he's asking for food, and because I believe giving cash does not fall under the "Give Wisely" category, I'm going to try something new.  Today, I got out breakfast bars and granola bars and packaged them with a gospel tract in a brown lunch bag.  I'm going to keep a few in my car, ready to hand out the window when I feel it's needed.  I am going to be the one who may possibly be suckered in, and that thought drives me nuts, but MY heart is the issue here.

And I hope that is the heart that comes across in what I've shared.  I say all this only to encourage others to obey -- in whatever way the Lord directs.  This is one SMALL step forward on the long journey of learning to be a disciple, and how grateful I am for the Lord's patience with me.  AND for providing precious companions to walk before and beside me.  To HIM be the glory!  That ALL may hear!

UPDATE:  I made these, and the next FIVE trips to church, our man wasn't there. Also, I had not seen another person ANYWHERE. Finally, on our sixth trip, the man was on the corner, and I had the opportunity to give him the bag, a smile, and a "God Bless You."  He told me that I was beautiful and thanked me, and I drove on.  And I have yet to see him, or another person, again...