“Let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more.”
I live fairly close to Atlanta. I’m usually there a couple times a month. Once while I was in downtown a homeless person came up to me and a friend asking for money. My friend suggested we go get them a meal at McDonald’s. I thought that even though this person wasn’t asking for food they might appreciate some. It was not far so we walked there, bought the meal and brought it back to the guy. While we chatted he enjoyed the meal. As he finished and we began to head back to our conference I handed the man a $20 bill. About a block down the road my friend asked me why I did that since we got him food and he would probably spend that money on alcohol. After agreeing that he might I shared that although I was glad we got him a meal he had asked for money. I didn’t know what he would use the money for but I felt ignoring his request and giving him what I thought was a better idea was condescending. Of course he would not complain but I didn’t see Jesus wanting this man to feel that way after an encounter with His followers. There is long compassion but for a one time chance encounters there is now compassion. Knowing that the odds were I’d never see him again I handed him the money and mentioned that God truly loves and cares for Him and the only way I knew to show him that was to treat him with loving kindness. Today be God’s hands. #BeTheEdge
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Colossians 3:12 NIV
