An estimated 630,000 people are homeless in the United States, according to one study from 2012. Walk by a street corner in many cities and you will see them. Many are sitting or standing with signs, asking for money for food or other help. A few will even ask for jobs or offer to do something to earn a dollar or two.
It is all too easy for us to become accustomed to seeing these people and even develop the mindset that they choose to live this life. We label them as “the homeless” and never attempt to see the person behind the label.
Jesus’ Command
In the Bible, Jesus gave a very direct command to His followers to feed those who are hungry, give water to those who are thirsty and to clothe those who are naked. Why? Because in doing so, you are doing it to Him. How our views about the homeless would change if we could see them as Jesus did.
Homeless people are not a new phenomenon. In Jesus’ day, they were called beggars. They may not be homeless, but they relied on begging to provide food and other necessities. Just like then, life circumstances often led to their situations. Jesus saw past the current issues to the potential these people had and understood what caused them to reach the point of being without the basics of life.
Understanding the Homeless
Many of us have become calloused when it comes to the homeless, especially if we live in areas where they are seen every day. A large number of them are veterans while others are people who lost their jobs and homes. They are often drug addicts and alcoholics who lost everything because of an addiction. But before you judge them, realize that they are like everyone else, including you. They made some wrong decisions, choices they would change if they could. These decisions led them down a wrong path that they feel unable to walk away from.
Addiction is not an easy condition to break. Many of the homeless lack the financial resources to get the help they need. If they could be honest, they would tell you they wish they had never taken that drink or used that drug. Others through no fault of their own, have lost everything and have no hope of living a better life.
Helping the Homeless
Because of the high rates of alcoholism and addiction, it is never recommended to give the homeless money. However, there are many ways you can help them and show them that someone cares. It may be the incentive they need to pull themselves out of the hopelessness they feel and to get the help they require.
- Volunteer at a soup kitchen or homeless shelter
- Host a fundraising event to raise money for one of the organizations that help homeless people
- Find an organization that provides food for the pets of the homeless, such as Pets of the Homeless
- Collect items that homeless people need, such as warm clothes and blankets – don’t forget simple toys such as stuffed animals for the homeless children
- Make local government aware of the homeless in their cities and advocate for more resources
It often begins with you volunteering at a shelter or helping out in other ways to get to know the homeless and their needs. They have no voice, but instead rely on others to be their voice. Look past the signs they hold and the dirt and grime and see the person – a person that Jesus loves.
