This time of year, our neighbors without homes weigh heavy on my heart and mind. As I lay in my warm bed, I am acutely aware that there are many who are out in the cold. As I choose from my many sweaters and coats, I am aware that there are many who have none. As I eat the food of my choice, I am aware that many will go to sleep with empty tummies. As I ponder these things and pray for solutions, I ask that you will pray also and consider these lessons I have learned from a Homeless Man.
Matthew 8:20, ESVAnd Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.”
Our Savior was a homeless man. I believe that gave Him a unique place to speak from about caring for our neighbors without homes. Throughout the Old and New Testament, God conveys His concern and care for the poor, hungry and homeless through His commands to us! These are some lessons I have learned from Him and from the homeless that I am blessed to spend my days with.
God is the maker of us all, we are made in His image and when we honor each other, we also honor God.
Proverbs 22:2, NIVRich and poor have this in common: The LORD is the Maker of them all.
Proverbs 14:31, NIV He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.
We are all in this together. It is beautiful to see the community and family that develop within our Room In The Inn population. They look out for each other. They celebrate each other’s victories and bear each other’s sorrows. When one goes to the altar, they all go to the altar.
Romans 14:7 For none of us lives to himself alone, and none of us dies to himself alone. What we do and how we live affects others.
We can only keep that which we give away. Be thankful for your blessings and share with others!
1 Timothy 6:17-19, NIV Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
Matthew 6:19-20, ESV Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.
Our lives are found in Him when they are given away to others
Matthew 16:25New International Version (NIV) 25 For whoever wants to save their life[a] will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.
When we serve others, we serve Him and present an offering that is acceptable in His sight.
Isaiah 58 “Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?
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? Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, ‘Here I am.’ If you take away the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness, if you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday And the LORD will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail .
Matthew 25:34-40, ESVThen the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who 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 drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you?
When we love others, the world knows we belong to Him
John 13:34-35New International Version (NIV)34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Mark 12:33 To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
And you will be blessed!
Shirley Chupp
Marshall County Homeless Ministries &
Lean into Jesus Ministries
#shirleychuppblogs
