“Are there no prisons? Are there no workhouses??”
Our family was blessed to be able to watch the George C. Scott version of A Christmas Carol last weekend. We have loved and enjoyed the story for many years, but this is the first time we have watched this vintage gem from the 1980’s.
In it, Ebeneezer Scrooge, who is rich as King Midas, refuses to donate anything toward a relief fund for the poor at Christmas because he does not celebrate Christmas himself, and “cannot afford to make idle people merry.” When pressed, he comforts himself that the public institutions he pays taxes to still exist, and declares that if people would rather die than go there for help, “they should do it, and reduce the surplus population.”
We have looked at Scrooge, who is often played as a caricature, as a funny old grumpy guy, but this year, the understated acting of George C Scott made this terrible character seem frighteningly normal. I recognized the ideas he speaks of from today, where they are currently spoken of as if they have merit.
I have to reign it in today, my friends, because I am really torn up. I have been writing for days, but am not communicating the right things. I am angry at the suffering that I see all around me, both in person, and from the stories that Jim brings home from the rescue mission. But I know that “the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.” (James 1:19)
But still! Little children are suffering without a home. No one can blame a child for being homeless, but there are those who will begin, without an ounce of personal understanding or experience, to lay blame. I understand that it is hard to look evil in the face, but evil exists in the form of suffering all around us, and we can do something about it. We must!
But first we have to care.
This is not a political problem. It’s a heart problem. I have heard so many arguments blaming the victims of poverty. They made bad choices. They were not personally disciplined. They were gullible, or lazy. They got addicted. And who knows if that is true or not. You would have to get to know each one of them on a case-by-case basis, and find out their story. But regardless of how they got where they are, they need help today.
“For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy in the land.” Deuteronomy 15:11
“Open thine hand wide . . .” The truth is that poverty, homelessness and suffering exist, and will never go away completely. Most who want to eliminate homelessness go about it by removing the homeless population so they don’t have to see it. It sickens me to see armed guards breaking up homeless encampments and evicting people who have nowhere else to go. I know that we can do better. But it takes time. We didn’t get here overnight, and the root problem won’t be fixed quickly, either.
They say that some prefer homelessness. (But if it is so, that they prefer that terrible existence, then what do they see as the horrific alternative?)
I met a homeless man who said that to me. He had been homeless for decades, and he spent his days sitting by the side of the road holding a picture of Jesus up before the flowing traffic. He said he preferred homelessness, but then spoke bitterly about how it was a stain on the community that an elderly man in his seventies would be living on the streets. (And he was right.)
While we talked, one woman came up and gave him a twenty dollar bill. He was not begging. Another person dropped off some bottled water. He thanked me for stopping to check on him but he said he was fine. So off I went.
Why would someone prefer to be homeless, to be at the mercy of strangers?
I wonder if one reason might be that the kindness of strangers is vast, indeed. And it mostly comes without strings. The exchange is simple: A person or group offers solace in the form of money or resources to someone in need. The person helped is grateful and gets his or her needs met. He or she feels better about humanity and hope is revived. The person or people who help go away feeling better about themselves, too. It’s a win-win situation.
I think often of that man in the winter. My parents found him trying to sleep in a movie theater many winters ago, and put him up for a couple of nights in a hotel. He said he remembered them when we talked. And I believed him, because he had described my mother accurately.
“Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” (Hebrews 13:2)
What if a homeless person is really an angel, sent by God to test us?
Matthew 25 contains the parable of the “Sheep and the Goats.” Jesus tells that one day, He will return in all His glory, with the holy angels with Him, and all the nations will be gathered before Him as He is seated on His throne
“And He shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He shall set the sheep on His right hand, and the goats on the left.” (v. 32,33)
Notice that the text says “His sheep,” and “the goats;” “His right hand” and “the left.” These are grammatical hints about ownership. The sheep are “His” and are on His right hand.
“Then shall the King say unto them on His right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was hungry, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
“Then shall the righteous answer Him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee hungry, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
“And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” (Matthew 25: 34-40)
Try to ignore the “voice of reason,” that tells you to measure out your gifts to the poor, and consider yourself first. That is not what Jesus told us to do; rather, He counseled us to put others before ourselves.
And if you are worried about yourself, consider that God may be looking for a reason to bless you. He will not leave you alone or destitute, especially because of your charity toward others! Give freely as He leads you, and you will be blessed in return. (Luke 6:38)
“He who has pity on the poor lends to the LORD, And He will pay back what He has given.” (Proverbs 19:17)
That urge that you feel to do good is a leading from the Holy Spirit (for who else would prompt you to do something good for someone else, something that isn’t in your own interest?) Selfish considerations come from the opposing (and much lesser) force. Instead of considering yourself, I urge you to forget yourself, and think of others! It’s the shortest route to your own happiness.
“God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.” (1 Peter 4:10 NLT)
Perhaps your gift is not financial. But you have the ability to bless others in some way. God made you with a special ability that He wants you to use. Discover your God-given superpower and use it!
And God bless us, every one!
I hope each and every person who is reading this will get the chance to read or see A Christmas Carol this year! We love the Patrick Stewart version. But there are literally dozens from which to choose. The Albert Finney musical from the 1970’s (titled “Scrooge“) is fun, too. In it, Tiny Tim sings “On this beautiful winter’s morning, if my wish could come true. . .somehow.”
That longing for a more beautiful, more loving world is so present in all of us, and that song taps into that feeling as you feel compassion for Tiny Tim. Oh, I’m crying already!
God bless you, everyone. Look for the precious people (or angels in disguise) you can help, and just do something. It’s not all up to you, so don’t be overwhelmed by the need. Just follow the prompting of the Spirit and help. You CAN make a difference.
Perhaps the door between life and death hinges upon your smile!
The Fullers Four 