How many times have you seen a homeless person and just walked or drove past them without helping? I know I have, and it felt awful every time. It is important to be honest about these things. To be aware of our downfalls and sinful nature is good. It is all about what we do next, that matters. It is when we justify our actions for not helping those in need, is when we can get in a lot of trouble and very off track from God. Psalm 41 teaches us, 1“Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble.” What we learn from this passage is that God acknowledges us when we are generous to the poor. He is also more willing to help us through trials if we are kind to others. Think about the story of Lazarus, the beggar, and the rich man. The story goes like this. 2“There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.” The first part of this story teaches us that our blatant disregard for people’s needs can land us in hell. This is very important to understand. Know the importance of helping others and share this truth with those you know. I’m sure you’d hate to see any person you care for in hell.
Let us examine the second half of the story of the rich man and Lazarus. 2“And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house: For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.” We learn from this story that hell is real. There is eternal fire and torment there. Those that blatantly disregard others in need, including the homeless and people in stores that can’t afford their groceries, could find themselves there. As Christians, we are to stand apart from the world. Lend a helping hand and even help pay for someone’s groceries that are unable to themselves. A couple dollars is nothing in the long run. I pray that next time an opportunity arises to stop and help someone, that you do so.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, give us bigger hearts to help one another. Help us love those in need and do things out of the kindness of our hearts. Help us to be more generous with our money. Help us to be willing to pray with those that are in need of comfort. Help us lend an ear to those in trouble. Help us show sympathy on people’s lives, all around us. The next time we drive by or walk by a homeless person, give us desires to walk up to them and lend assistance. Even if all we have to spare is a water bottle or a candy bar, give us the desire to give it to them. Lord, anyone in need of comfort, give us courage to pray with them. If people are hungry, give us willingness to buy food for them. My heart brakes for those in need. Every time I see the homeless, I wish I could be the person to help them get off the streets. I know Lord, You give me this passion to help them. Thank You for filling my heart with Your love. I pray that this love will shine forth into the people’s lives I meet. I love You. Amen.
Let us read the Bible:
Note: Any Numbered References, found above, are listed below.
1Psalm 41:1-3 (KJV)
1 Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble.
2 The Lord will preserve him, and keep him alive; and he shall be blessed upon the earth: and thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies.
3 The Lord will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing: thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness.
2Luke 16:19-31 (KJV)
19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:
20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,
21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.
27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house:
28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.
29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.
30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.
31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.
