Reaching Out To The Homeless
“He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.” —Proverbs 19:17
People often write to me, asking me what they can do to make a difference and help others. The greatest need is to help the needy. It's sad that we hear so much nowadays about tithing, stewardship, and making charitable contributions to A MINISTRY; but the poor are hurting and starving on the streets. I would 10,000 times rather give my money to a homeless person living on the street, than to some fat slob called a "minister" (which means 'servant') that drives a nice car, lives in a warm house, eats three meals a day, and enjoys the good life. What about the homeless?
Most churches talk about helping others, but mostly help themselves. They talk about using their ministry to build people, but in reality often use people to build their ministry. What about the poor? How often do we see church banquets, chili suppers, cookouts, barbeques, with all the trimmings; BUT, what about the homeless? Every church should have a ministry to the homeless in their community. If your church is in a ritzy area, then you ought to be reaching out to the poor through a bus ministry or frequent visits to needy areas. Phooey on church pew Christianity! The Christians in the book of Acts, i.e., the New Testament Church, went out into the streets, helping the needy, and preaching the Gospel. They didn't hide in their secluded building, waiting for people to come to them. They went out as the Lord commanded.
Every church ought to schedule times when they reach out to the homeless, bringing them some hot food, Gospel literature, and a Bible. You can find the homeless in any major city in America: in the parks, subways, on the streets, et cetera. Church has become a big game in America―growing richer, fatter, and more complacent―while the homeless continue to suffer unnoticed. How many churches today have sparkling chandeliers and lush padded carpeting, but do little or nothing to help the homeless escape the cruelty and misery of the streets. Do churches today care?
Oh! The foolishness of professed Christians today. Should it be surprising that so many televangelists refuse to be upfront and honest with the Better Business Bureau concerning their finances? Wherever the money is going, they don't want the public to know. Yet, idiots continue to send such ministries tens-of-millions of dollars, while homeless people in their community starve on the streets. How ridiculous and insane! Are we truly good stewards of what God has given to us?
I would never tithe a dime to any church that didn't have a ministry to the poor. You work too hard for your money to support some lazy, deadbeat pastor, who does nothing more than visit the sick, prepare sermons, and sit around the church. I personally believe most pastors ought to work part-time secular jobs. We often hear preachers quoting Paul concerning "a cheerful giver" (2nd Corinthians 9:7); but not too many preachers mention that Paul made tents for a living as well (Acts 18:3). The Apostle Paul was a working man, not a lazy rascal who sits around the church planning "Big Days," while never even considering protesting outside the local abortion clinic. God deliver us from church pew Christianity.
Have you ever thought of starting a ministry to the homeless? There is so much that one person CAN DO to make a difference. If churches won't do it, then we as individuals believers must. The need is great, but the laborers are few. I challenge you whoever you may be, to consider what you can do to help the poor in your community, especially to get the good news of Jesus Christ to them. Jesus Christ died for all (2nd Corinthians 5:14,15; 1st John 2:2).
"And of some have compassion, making a difference" ―Jude 1:22
