Awake! Put On Strength. Shake yourself from the dust and arise!

“The poor is hated even by his neighbor, but those who love the rich are many. He who despises his neighbor sins, but happy is he who is gracious to the poor.” (Proverbs 14:20-21 NASB)

I will give some background information but will try to get to the point as quick as possible.

I currently work at a church across the street from Texas A&M. I am their maintenance guy and on Sundays after I open the doors and clean up the trash from the bars left over from the night before, I sit at the secretary’s desk and provide help when needed.

I have had several opportunities to try to minister to some people: victims of addiction, poverty, themselves, and enablement. This past Sunday I was picking up trash around the perimeter of the church and came upon a man reclining on a bench with his hat over his eyes. He looked dirty, homeless, and different from my white-bread, middle-class culture. I’ve named him Stephen.

He looked up and said “Good morning,”

“Good Morning. How are you doing, sir?” I asked automatically as I swept up some trash.

“Oh, not too good. I’ve been up all night crying.”

What? Most people just say fine and move on.

“You’ve been up all night crying? Why?” I ask.

He told me a story about being married for four days, having two boys in the 11^th-grade, and no money to buy food. By a quick examination of his eyes I could see that they were indeed red and irritated, but from tears or chemicals I could not ascertain, and praise Jesus, I ceased to care. His story was typical of most stories I heard: I couldn’t tell if this one was true or not. I remember James 2:16 condemning those who say “Go in peace, be warmed, and be filled” and yet don’t give them what is necessary for their body, so I looked into my wallet to prove I wouldn’t be lying if I said I had no money.

“Nah, Man. I don’t want to ask you for any money,” Stephen objected.

“Well, that’s cool. Nobody likes to ask for charity, but love should be freely given.”

With more talk, I discovered that Stephen does get a check from somebody but he had to spend it to get his woman out of jail, who is a lawyer. There is no way the lawyer part is true.

However cynical I sound now, I wanted to help him so much because I knew what he really wanted, but didn’t know it himself, was Jesus. I told him I have a friend, whom he has probably heard of, and I wanted him to meet. My friend doesn’t promise all the problems will be taken care of or even happiness. However, He does promise Joy and Peace. (I sort of mumbled something similar. I wish I had been that concise.)

Of course, Stephen had heard of my friend named Jesus and said that he reads the Bible everyday. So I misreferenced Matthew 6:33 about seeking first Jesus and His righteousness and all these things will be made unto you (If he had known Matthew 5:32, the place I said, he would wonder why I was referencing a verse on divorce). I absolutely bumbled through the Gospel with this man because, contrary to scripture’s teaching, I wasn’t ready with it.

After a few more words with Stephen, listening to him and trying to offer some kind words, I went on my way with work. I turned around and looked at the Starbucks two feet away in which walked many a Sunday-dressed family, including myself, on their way to church. The dichotomy brought me to shame.

And as I sat down at my desk I began to think of everything else I wished I had said to Stephen. I wish I had gotten close and sat with him on the bench, and not four feet away as if I was afraid he would reach out and steal my credit card. I wished I had told him more about Him who is the bread of life and the living water and through whom whoever would drink of it, would never thirst again. I wish I had invested my heart with him and told him to praise God for the Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away, blessed be the name of the Lord. But instead I sat down and drank my coffee.

Some people get stuck in a victim attitude where they see all the harm done to them and none of their own responsibility. Some people are plagued with demons of alcoholism, drug addiction, and disease for the wages of sin truly is death. Some people find others they can manipulate and victimize (I know two separate people who have been victims of the same con man).

And yet they still need Jesus. They are seeking for Him, they want Him, but they just don’t know it yet. I wish I had the power to touch the lame, heal the sick and give them what their heart desires; it is the charismatic in me. We can only do so much before the other person has to come the rest of the way. God conquerors our hearts, he certainly conquered mine. Yet some have hardened their hearts against Him who offers peace and love.

I praise Jesus that I have parents that provide for me and have taught me a work ethic! I Praise Him for the circumstances in which I live and get a world-class education. I don’t feel guilty that I don’t live in a cardboard box. I work and earn my money, even the bit my Uncle Sam steals from me. But that doesn’t give us an excuse; we still have the power to help.

Programs will not work. It is not a matter of mere sacrifices and aid, but a matter of the heart. Welfare enables a slothful lifestyle of taking advantage of the system. Social Security doesn’t benefit everybody anymore, and I don’t think I’ll ever see what was taken from my check. Give your love, dear heart. Give your finances and/or support with your precious time to the church, missions, and honest charities that work to disciple and show Christ’s healing to those that have never tasted of it. “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it. Do not say to your neighbor, ‘Go, and come back, and tomorrow I will give it,’ when you have it with you” (Proverbs 3:27-28 NASB).

Shall we not put to death our selfishness and stay in our comfort zones? Shall we live in our brick houses and ignore the shanties down the street? Thank you Jesus I live in Bryan where I am exposed to reality instead of Rock Prairie in College Station, surrounded by frats and peers of my socio-economic class. I am disgusted that for so long I have passed my eyes over the half of this community that has nothing compared to us.

I am disgusted that I can read an article on CNN about General Taylor’s armies of 15-year-old rapist soldiers in Sierra Leon and then have the next headline be about how “Knocked-Up” did at the box office.

We need to go.

In Revelation, Jesus says He will spit out the lukewarm for not being hot nor cold. I would vomit too if I had to taste our apathy.

–Matt

http://www.ststephenssociety.org/