October 10: World Homeless Day

October 10:  World Homeless Day 

I work with the homeless almost every day.  Like so many things, my perspective has been shaped by my experience.  Over the years, I have come to love and respect those who are/were homeless like never before.  My heart also breaks for them.

That the poor and homeless have a special place in God’s heart is undeniable.  Both the Old and New Testaments urge us to care for them.  “Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?” (Isaiah 58:7)  “And one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?” (James 2:16) 
Actual care and genuine help are difficult, nuanced and challenging.  It is not about a handout or even a place to stay.  Immediate needs must be met.  Food and shelter are critical, which is why every church should have a good working relationship with food pantries and shelters.  Does yours? 

The greatest need is to identify what brought them to that point.  My experience has been that addiction issues, financial irresponsibility, even mental illness are often root causes.  There are those rarer occasions where someone or a family is taken unawares by circumstances beyond their control.  But most often, the homeless are that way because of poor choices or because of undiagnosed illnesses.

What can you do?  First, understand.  Roll up your sleeves and get involved with your local shelter.  Serve.  Get to know these people.  They are just like you in so many ways.  They feel and hurt and long for love as we all do.  Second, do your homework.  Learn the real statistics.  Read books like Toxic Charity and When Helping Hurts.  Do the most good for the most people in the best way. 

Most importantly, do all you can in the name of Jesus.  Religious do-gooders abound.  We don’t need more.  Homelessness is first of all an issue of the heart.  Hurts need to be healed,  habits need to change, and hope has to be real.  All of those are only truly possible when our hearts are changed by the power of the gospel.  Make a commitment today that your church, wherever it is, will step up to care for the homeless in new and more effective ways.  And never take having a roof over your head for granted again.