I've heard the debate plenty of times. If you give them money, they'll buy beer. But if you give them money, at least you're trying to help. The argument goes back and forth. That's why I was excited when our friend gave us this bag of goodies the next time we were faced with the opportunity to share with a homeless person.
Matthew 25:34-40:
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
What can we do for the least of these?
Here's one simple thing.
Take a gallon plastic bag and fill it with a few items.
A few easy items you can place in your bag are wipes, a fruit cup with a plastic fork, peanuts, a toothbrush and toothpaste, peanut butter cracker and breath mints, because we all like minty fresh breath.
Get creative and change it up.
I'd love to hear if you try this and what response you get.
Good idea! I often have my heart go out to a homeless person, but giving them money is usually not the best way to help them and sadly, there are a lot of people that pretend to be homeless to prey on giving people. This is something I can do without feeling guilty. It would help them no matter what their situation is.
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