You Go

     You know what scares me the most about this project? Ridicule from fellow Christians.

     I can hear all of the reasons to not do this project:

You are keeping them in poverty by giving them free things. Support a non profit that helps them find a job.

 How do you know these people aren't just going to turn around and sell these items for drugs?

God helps those that help themselves.

Be a solution to the problem of homelessness, one coat isn't even a dent in the need. It's a waste of time.

     Yes. These things have been said to me and others about various projects. I don't know if people would say it if they could see how horrendous it looks when written down. And how it is the opposite of what Jesus said.

     We Christians love programs and organizations, don't we? We love the statistics and the lists. We give money to big organizations because they are making the biggest dent and we want to feel like we are a part of that. If I give them $50, I can feel as though I am providing a hundred homeless people food and a bed tonight. And so we write out our checks, then go to bed in our $200,000 home with central air, hardwood floors, and four bedrooms.

But they are organized. They can spend my money in a more efficient way! If I give to them, I know it makes a difference.

     I think this is what we tell ourselves to feel better. When, really, organizations are not the way Jesus called us to live at all.

But Jesus said, "They need not go away; you give them something to eat." (Matthew 14:16)

Then the king will say to those at his right hand, "Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me." (Matthew 25:34-36; emphasis mine)

     These "yous" are all plural, since He is talking to a group of people, but the implication is still the same. And, at the time, there weren't any nonprofits to do the dirty work of Christians. They had to literally extend their hands to others. There were no checks to write so that the Christian could feel altruistic but no inconvenienced.

     To be honest, although it would be incredible to see poverty ended, scripture tells us that this will never happen, so that cannot be our goal all the time. Our goal should always be the glory of God. So that is what I am doing. Seeking to glorify and make Him known to one person.

     And next week that will have to be enough.