In 1973, Darley and Batson did a study where they took 40 seminary students and asked them to write a sermon either about their future job or about The Good Samaritan parable. When being sent to deliver their sermon, they were either told they had a few minutes to get there, or they were told they were running late. On their way, they passed a victim that was laying on the ground and would cough twice as they passed. Only 10% of those students who were 'running late' would stop to help the victim, despite their assigned sermon topic.
Curious isn't it? We all know the The Good Samaritan Parable (if you don't, you can click on the title of this blog to find it), yet how many of us help a person laying on the ground... even if we're busy?
I know I've been raised with much skepticism about people 'in the streets' asking for help. They could be pretending to get money, to get drunk, to kidnap me, to do whatever what was on their ill willed agenda. Because of this, I must say, I have neglected to help the homeless more times than not.
Matthew 25:44-45 They will reply, “Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?” And he will answer, “I assure you, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers ans sisters, you were refusing to help me.”
There were a few times I took time out of my day, money out of my bank account, and shoes off my feet to help those I could see were suffering. When I selflessly gave to these people, my heart was filled with a joy that couldn't be created by any other thing in this world. And you know what??? I didn't die, I wasn't kidnapped, I wasn't drugged, I wasn't beaten or bludgeoned.
The Lord protected me and used those moments when I helped those around me. He didn't use those moments just to provide for those people, but to deepen my faith and realize the joy that only He can provide.
Matthew 25:34-36 "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. 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, 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.'
On the other side of that coin, there have been times when I have been suffering. I haven't always known where my next meal or tank of gas was going to come from, but God has always provided. He's used friends and family and strangers to bless me. It is a comfort to know that God has given them joy and to know that He in turn has blessed them for their kindness and generosity in their time of need.
2 Corinthians 9:6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.
I think I need to start stepping out in faith more instead of stepping over those in need.
That study is pretty interesting (and creative). I have to admit, I don't know if I would have done any better than the theology students.
ReplyDeleteI have seen a lot more homeless the past month, which has broken my heart. That said, I still have a policy of not giving cash. I might not get robbed, or beaten, or kidnapped, but chances are I am contributing to a vicious cycle as they give that money to the drug dealer, who takes more control of their lives and contributes to an international drug trafficking problem. Even if they aren't using drugs (many are, esp. since many suffer from mental illness and don't receive the correct treatments), money is not always the best answer (see http://www.freedomreeves.com/?p=342)
What I do instead is keep McDonalds giftcards in my pocket. I also want to try to buy some MTA giftcards as well. Unfortunately, I'm not in a position where I can offer most homeless people help in getting a job, since the school systems don't hire anyone with a felony conviction, but if I were able to do that, I think that would be more valuable as well.
I know other people who see the same homeless person every day (riding the bus or walking to work) who work to build relationships, which I also think is more valuable than giving cash. Donating time and money to organizations that help the homeless I think is also a better way to show God's love. Second Harvest Food is a good food bank in the area, and Catholic Charities do a lot in Nashville, to name a couple. Our church is involved with East Nashville Co-op which has been providing that type of help in East Nashville for awhile.
We live in a very different society from Jesus'. That does NOT excuse us from his commands to give joyously and help strangers, but it does mean we need to use more wisdom in our generosity to make sure we are helping and not contributing to the problem.
Proverbs 16:16
How much better to get wisdom than gold, to choose understanding rather than silver!
- Laura Carrot
Very good points.
ReplyDeleteI guess I should clarify though... when I meant that I've taken money out of my bank account - I've bought food for people and actually sat down and eaten with them on the side walk...
The only time I ever do the cash thing is if they're selling flowers or something and actually trying to work.
I do agree with the cash delima and using wisdom in these times.
Thanks for sharing.
Very beautiful! Encourages me to DO and not just be.
ReplyDeleteAmen, sister. So good. So true.
ReplyDeleteJenny M
I like the fact that different seasons of your life are a walking testimony of how Jesus wants us to treat others...
ReplyDeleteI've always wanted to sit down and eat with someone that's homeless.... time to bust outta the shell :)
Thanks for the inspiration!