“I will praise the Lord God with a song and a thankful heart”—Psalm 69:30 (CEV).
Exiting a freeway ramp in a nearby city recently, I saw a homeless man sitting on the curb near a traffic light. His simple cardboard sign said, “Please help.” With one car ahead of me at the red light, I hit the down button on my car window while simultaneously digging my wallet from my purse.
Before I could hand him the $10 bill I had grabbed from my billfold, the light turned green. As the older man struggled to rise to his feet, I resisted the urge to tell him to hurry up. Continuing to wait patiently, I anticipated honking horns behind me. None sounded. The man slowly stepped out and reached for the cash I gave him. I barely heard his mumbled, “Thank you.”
In the past, I might have been more worried about the drivers behind me and what they thought about the delay on their journey. Maybe that’s because I was always in a hurry myself. I wanted to make the green light before it turned yellow, then red again. My impatience would have won out, and I probably would have honked my horn. However, my patience has improved as God has worked His grace in me.t.
He has also shown me I am rich. No, I’m not talking monetarily. Although it appears I have more wealth than the homeless I see on the streets or those who come seeking groceries at our church food pantry, I do not consider myself wealthy in the sense that society defines wealth.
Being rich is commonly described as possessing a large amount of money or assets. I consider myself rich in family relationships and friends. My cup runs over with love from my sons, grandchildren, neighbors, close friends and my church family. I am rich with good health—even though I’ve been through ten surgeries since I was a child.
I have a roof over my head and the means to pay for it. Although my vehicle is 14-years-old, it is reliable. I never want for anything. That’s more than some have.
Some might criticize my giving to the homeless man. I’ve heard these statements before: “He’ll probably buy drugs or alcohol with it,” or “Why doesn’t he just get a job?”
We don’t know his circumstances nor do we have the right to judge what he does with the money. As I told a friend, “It’s in God’s hands.”
I just did my part and obeyed the nudge from God to share my wealth. Remember the widow’s mite. In Mark 12:41-44, Jesus was in the Temple watching the crowds as they dropped their money in the collection boxes. The rich were putting in large amounts but a poor widow dropped in two pennies.
Jesus remarked to His disciples, “That poor widow has given more than all those rich men put together! For they gave a little of their extra fat, while she gave up her last penny.”
Do you know how rich you are?
I am barefoot but very happy. And all the poor people are my good friends !
Friends are more important than things. God bless you!
In fact, dear Carol, being poor is not meant to have nothing (money). There are a lot of people who have (a lot of money), but they don’t know what to do with them. Of course, not only to buy something for them, for personal use: a larger car, a luxury home, new clothes or exotic trips. But to give some of this money to a man who does not have this. Such people are really poor. A man without soul is a poor man. Even he have more money.
P.S. please forgive me for my bad english.
Thank you for your response and insight, Dinu. I appreciate it! You are so right!
Why are bare feet always used as a symbol of poverty ? Being barefoot has nothing to do with being monetarily poor. This is a belief the industrial lobby and shoe industry created on their round table to stimulate consumer spending through advertisements and other mass media. I am barefoot and I feel very rich, rich because I am connected to our mother nature, I get my happiness by listening to the birds chirp, running streams and rivers, or just by watching the sun rise and set. These are true treasures of life that the masses are oblivious to. It… Read more »
Patricia, You have made a very good point. However, being barefoot and homeless in our country, as well as some others, is a sign of poverty, especially if those who are in this situation are living in very cold climates. I grew up in Louisiana where we went barefoot nearly all year round,and I did just that until we moved to Oklahoma. As I’ve grown older and become accustomed to wearing shoes, I have to admit that when the weather is nice and the grass is green, I love to wiggle my toes in the cool grass. Yes, they like… Read more »
Thank you for your reply… this is exactly what I mean – bare feet as a symbol of poverty. It is wrong to identify poverty with being barefoot. Poverty as we know it, is a creation of modern living. If people would live the way they were intended to there would be no “poverty”. Humans were meant to be social beings, helping each other. Because of industrialism and greed, people in modern society are being forced into isolation. Fear takes over, money and industrialist take control over their lifestyle. In a natural society, in which all live in harmony, all… Read more »