Is It the Church's Job to Alleviate Poverty?

We recently began a book study with the volunteers from Food for Life in which we are studying the book, "When Helping Hurts, How to Alleviate Poverty Without Hurting the Poor and Yourself," by Corbett and Fikkert. We will be continuing the study through the end of September. During this time that we are reading the book and considering its teachings, we are asking ourselves the age old question, "Is it the church's job to alleviate poverty?"

Well, such a question can cause all kinds of thoughts to rattle around in the mind of a Christian. Ultimately, we all know that God alone is equipped and able to truly alleviate poverty. So the answer to that question ultimately is, "No, it is God's job." However, did God not call believers over and over again to submit themselves to be the instruments through which He cares for the poor? The echoing answer to that question is, "Yes, yes, yes!"

Those who have traveled throughout the world know that poverty in the U.S. looks very different than poverty in many other countries. However, Scripture is clear that God calls believers to be involved in ministering in the community in which they live, specifically to the poor, widows, and orphans. Well, there is a growing ferver for taking care of the orphans. Adoptions are taking place all around our communities. As well, in most cases widows are taken care of by their own families. However there seems to be a lack of passion in many cases when it comes to taking care of the poor. Or could it be that there is a lack of understanding as to what that will have to look like here in the "Land of Opportunity"?

Most believers understand the story of the Good Samaritan, and would gladly do the same, if by some random chance they saw a person beat, wounded, and in need of clothes on the side of the road, they would not pass him by but would lend a helping hand. However, most of the poor among us are not going to be in such obvious need before our very eyes and in so directly in our path that we trip over them.
So to the church here in the U.S., what does helping those who are living in poverty really look like? One might be tempted to even say or at least think, there is opportunity everywhere, if they are poor, it is their own fault. So then we must ask ourselves the question, is it the job of the believer to pick and choose who they should help? Do we have the privelege of making judgements about who "deserves" our help and who doesn't?

I propose to you that there are two chategories into which most people living in poverty in the U.S. will fall. One chategory includes the individual that is poor due to no fault of their own, for example the widow, the orphan, or the abused spouse that has been abandoned with little financial resources. The second chategory includes those who are experiencing poverty due to the results of their own sin, for example those who are lazy, irresponsible, trapped by additctions, etc. Is it the church's job to be instruments of mercy to both chategories of poverty, or do we get to differientiate which chategory each poor person falls into and then decide who deserves our help? And then when that determination has been made, is it going to be as easy as helping the Good Samaritan, a sacrifice that only involved about one day or so of service and financial assistance. Wouldn't it be easy if we could do random acts of kindness that only took one day of our time, energy, emotion, and financial resources and feel that our job was done...we had accomplished helping the poor as the Scripture says.

I propose that the answer to the question, should we be willing to help the poor in both chategories according to Scripture is most assuredly, "Yes!" The difference will be in how we help. There are individuals out there that only need a little financial assistiance, a job, or a home and their lives will be improved forever. However, those who are poor due to their own sin need help as well, but that help must come in the form of relationship. The sacrifice is much greater when a Christian answers the call to help the poor individual in this situation, because it is not just a one-time act of sacrifice, it is a lifetime of building a relationship that with God's power will change that person's life and alleviate poverty. That is the call that God delivers to the believer through Scripture, "Come and share your life, Christian, to be an instrument of mercy to the poor?" Will you answer the call?
~Charity

Reconciliation

He can be a little intimating, especially if he is under the influence. I always have to remind myself that God loves him and we should too. To have a private conversation is difficult but tonight he wanted to talk to me about his situation. He said he was tired of living this way. Last month he was fined for a nusiance charge which took about half of his disability check and now he was here trying to get some food. He said alcohol had him by the throat and demonstrated it by grabbing his throat. He said he knows he should trust in Jesus and I reminded him that he would also have to repent. I explained that it was more than just going a different direction but it was a change in desires. And the only way to accomplish that is by the Holy Spirit. Then you will have different desires and different friends. I told him how God has changed Paul in so many ways and immediately tears started rolling down his cheek and he said “I can’t let anyone see me like this”. As he wiped the tears away, another homeless showed up and started talking to him and his demeanor changed and he regained control of emotions. Something happened in that moment that turned his attention away from the spirit to the world. It was time to eat.

Paul is currently teaching a Bible study for the volunteers based on a book titled When Helping Hurts (short title) by Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert. This discusses homelessness and poverty and how to alleviate them. To understand how to do that we have to understand what the universal problem is for them and us. The bottom line is reconciliation. Since the fall we are all separated from God. Reconciliation means to put things back into the right relationship again. That can only be accomplished through Jesus Christ. “The goal is to restore people (homeless or not) to a full expression of humanness to being what God created us all to be, people who glorify God by living in right relationship with God, with self, with others, and with the rest of creation” (page 78). This is a necessary first step to help others come out of poverty and addiction.

I would like to give a special thanks to all the GE employees who held a fund raiser last Friday night at Star Lanes Bowling. The money raised will be donated to Food for Life and another worthy charity. I was surprised how many people showed up for this event and it looked like everyone had a good time. Their goal was to raise $1,500.of which some of the funds will be used to purchase kitchen equipment for Triune Mercy Center. We are grateful for all of the volunteers who support Food for Life.
~Marc

Packed House

When Paul assembled all the volunteers in the kitchen for prayer, it was packed. There were so many volunteers that they flowed out into the hall. Closing the door for privacy was not an option tonight. Most were youth and adults from Simpsonville First Baptist Church and East North Street Baptist Church. It is always a pleasure to have local youth come out and assist us in ministering to the homeless

After the preaching, many of the youth set up a table of pictures as a way of sharing the gospel with the homeless. For instance, they asked them to pick out photographs that reflected their current situation and their interpretation of God. These questions lead to further discussions to consider. Even though many of the youth were very young, they were not intimidated dealing with the homeless.

In addition to unusual amount of volunteers, we had a packed house of homeless who had come to get out of the heat. We served 110 meals with the assistance of 32 volunteers.
~Marc

Regulars

Even though he is a large man, most would not know he was in the room because of his quiet nature. He usually comes in and heads for the back of the room and stays mostly to himself. But tonight he seemed a little agitated. I know him by name because he has been around since the start of Paul’s ministry. Usually he will acknowledge me by a few words and go about his business of getting some food. I remember years ago, I asked him if he believed in God and his response was “only a fool wouldn’t”. However, further discussions at that time revealed that he didn’t believe in the deity of Christ.

He walked up to me and placed a little book in the palm of my hand. The title was “Love”. I flipped through the pages and it appeared to be poems. On the inside cover I noticed there was a list of names he had written. I asked him about the names and he said the first one below his was his sister whom he has not seen for 22 years. The second one was his brother. I couldn’t read his shaky hand writing so asked him his brother’s name. He told me and then asked if he had spelled it correctly. Before I could ask about the other name he abruptly went in the room where Paul was preaching. I learned later that he caused a few problems although none that Paul could not handle. It was like he was a different person tonight.

One of our other regulars proudly showed me a letter from a local college that accepted him for the fall semester. As I looked at the letter I wondered about the address since he changes addresses often. He told us how the college had arranged for a loan from the Department of Education to be repaid later when he gets a job. He hoped to receive an Associates Degree as a paralegal. Later as we gave him a ride to a friend’s house, he said that most of the homeless spend too much time listening to their thoughts like “you will always be homeless” or “you will never get a job”, but he says he ignores those thoughts and just keeps on trying. He still has hope for the future.

Tonight, we served 92 meals with the assistance of 18 volunteers. It seems we are getting more people as the temperature rises. A cool auditorium for a few hours is better than hanging out on the street in the sweltering heat.
~Marc

Housing Problems

I watched him limp toward the bridge late Tuesday night. He was fighting the pain as he leaned heavily on a homemade walking stick. The stick was really a substitute for a crutch but did not seem to give much relief. I looked at the under side of the bridge and marveled at the size of the huge concrete pillars. I had driven across this bridge many times but did not fully realize how huge it really was. His home was under the bridge along with many others. It looked as if it could house a small city. Cool in the summer but probably not very warm in the winter. But it was some place to get out of the rain and stay dry. He had waited a long time to arrange his ride from Triune Mercy Center.

Paul had been talking to a homeless lady who was very depressed. She is pregnant and to make matters worse, her fiancée had hit her that day. She felt like giving up because no one seems to care. She said she tries to work so she can pool her money with his so they can get a room each night. That can be difficult because some times she works 12 hours but only gets paid for 3 hours. Many of the homeless are taken advantage of as day labors. She is determined to keep her boy when it is born but knows to do this she must have a permanent place to live. Right now that looks unlikely. Paul kept asking her how he can help but she just shakes her head. He offers to put her in a room tonight but she thinks there are others who need help too. Paul assures her that he can help only one person at a time and right now he wants to help her.

There are all kinds of stories and difficult situations on the street. Although we try to meet many of the physical needs, we are convinced that the best thing we can do is present the gospel and pray for all their needs. Nothing is impossible with God.
~Marc

Give and Take

The homeless have feelings too. Last Tuesday night one of the homeless shared with us that his best buddy died. Through his tears he related how they stuck together by sharing a “bunker” (sleeping quarters) and if the truth be known, also a bottle. I could tell that he had a touch of the same stuff when he came in. We talked and Paul shared with him that this should be a wake up call. The same thing could happen to him. Therefore, he should be ready. But I couldn’t see in his eyes any connection with him and the fate of his long lost buddy. He seemed oblivious to the obvious that Paul was trying to impress upon him. I think he just wanted some sympathy from someone who cared about him. But to change his life style, he was not ready for that.

Some of the homeless panhandle each Tuesday night among the volunteers. One finally was noticed by the pastor of the church and was banned for three months from entering the premises. She told one of the volunteers that she has to use parenting skills as much as skills learned in seminary to deal with the homeless. We certainly can relate with that.

One thing I have learned with dealing with the homeless is that many want to help. Of course, they can not come into the kitchen and start cooking (some have tried). That area is strictly for volunteers. However, they are welcome to help clean up which is a necessary job that most of the volunteers shy away from. So many times I try to use anyone that offers to help. It helps me and I thinks gives them a sense of accomplishment even if it is just sweeping the floor or taking out the trash. Most of these individuals never ask for anything other than to help out. Why not allow them to contribute each Tuesday night.

So we see each Tuesday some that give and others who take. The homeless are no different from the rest of society. I think that is why we can’t stereotype the homeless as lazy or alcoholics, even though some are, because we can see the same characteristics in our families, friends, and coworkers. The homeless are just people. They are all different. But one thing they have in common is a need for redemption from sin. Of course, that is why we go down each Tuesday night to share the good news for us and them.
~Marc

Medical Needs

I have mentioned many times about the various needs of the homeless. Some are life threatening and others are not. One of the individuals that assist them with their life threatening needs is a nurse that is assigned or loaned to Triune from St. Francis Hospital. I got to talk to her last Tuesday night.

She outlined her responsibilities for minor things like taking blood pressure to major things that revolve around medications that are necessary to maintain their health mostly for diabetics or high blood pressure. The homeless can go to the emergency room for a health assessment and get their prescription, but getting it filled is another thing. Since most don’t have the money they rely on her to help them cut through the red tape and get it filled.

Currently, the nurse told me that they have to go to one agency to be certified as homeless. This agency will issue a letter to that effect which they must be taken to another agency to get the prescription. That is a lot of walking or they need a bus pass to get from one place to another. After that is accomplished, then there is the challenge for them to keep up with the prescription and take it as directed. Since they don’t necessarily have a place to stay, it is not uncommon for them to lose it within day on street. Then there is the problem if they are incarcerated. Any kind of prescribed drugs are taken away from the homeless, so when they get out they have to start all over to receive the necessary prescriptions. Even though it is challenging for her, it is obvious she loves her job because she genuinely cares about the people she is helping each day. All of us at Food for Life salute her for her unselfish service and dedication to the most vulnerable in society.

This week most of the requested needs ranged from tooth ache medicine to a roll of toilet paper. Although not life threatening, I guess both requests are very important to that one individual.

We had a good crowd this week. We served 65 meals with the assistance of 18 volunteers.
~Marc

It is Sad

It is sad to witness the condition of many who cannot resist the devastating effect of stimulants on their body and spirit. Also, it is sad when it not only affects them but also others. The purpose each Tuesday night is to share the gospel and love on others. But when someone can’t stand up and wants to stumble in while Paul is preaching, you know things could go very wrong.

That is what happened this week. When I saw him I knew there would be trouble. But I thought to myself, maybe not this time. But I should not have ignored the signs of trouble. I wasn’t in the room but I could see through the window. Everyone was standing up in the corner and two men were yelling at each other. Many immediately took control and ushered both from the room. Unfortunately, they continued their disagreement on the side walk. One hit the other and he fell in the street even though others were trying to break up the fight. I knew at that point that I had to call 911.

Two patrol cars showed up and everyone scattered. Some took off across the street and others that were helping to break up the fight went back into the building for the rest of the sermon. No one was arrested and everyone calmed down. It was a good outcome to a very tense situation. I guess many of the homeless experience this many times each week but we don’t deal with this very often. Most are very respectful and some even grateful for the food and fellowship. But our desire is to reach everyone so we can not turn some away just because there might be trouble.
~Marc

God's Invisible Attributes

It was hot last night and all of the homeless couldn't wait to get inside to feel the cool air conditioning. A large container of ice water was appreciated by everyone. Usually in this kind of weather we see hot tempers as well, but this week everyone seemed to be content to just "cool it". The weather continued to go from one extreme to another. A thunder storm moved in with heavy rain and lighting. I wondered if we would lose electricity before we could finish cooking the dinner. Fortunately that did not happen until everyone had finished eating. And by then the sun had come out and there was enough light for everyone to finish their meal. As everyone was leaving there was a beautiful rainbow in the sky. Most did’t notice but some did and commented that they were amazed at the power and the beauty of God. I thought about Romans 1:19-20. “For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.” God was reminding everyone of His existence.

This week we served 90 hot meals with the assistance of 18 volunteers. Many were the GE employees. No one could miss them with their green company shirts, although one individual only had his shirt hanging around his neck. I guess he fulfilled the requirement for company attire.
~Marc

What I Have Learned

The following is the testimony that I gave last Sunday at North Hills Community Church. Marc asked me to put it on the blog this week. ~Charity Blumer

When I first started going to Food for Life, I was not even dating my husband. I had met him and thought that it sounded like a great ministry, so I started volunteering.

I believed in the church’s responsibility to care for the poor, but I thought that would look like me giving them money or items that they needed and maybe serving a meal at a place like Food for Life. At first, everyone who volunteers, including myself, starts to wonder what makes a person live a lifestyle of homelessness, since many of them have been coming to Food for Life for years. I quickly drew some conclusions about them, like this one is a drug addict, this one is a bad alcoholic, this one can’t read therefore can’t get a job. I observed their lifestyle choices, the drugs, alcohol, prostitution, immorality and general disregard for marriage, and without premeditating to do it, that is how I defined them when I thought of them. It was how I made sense out of why they are the way they are.

It has taken me all the way until this year to alter my thinking, after really learning some things about my own sin nature and also getting to know some of them better, and re-evaluating my whole way of thinking about how to help the poor and needy. I started getting to know their stories, and I discovered that there isn’t just one reason that they are the way they are. They aren’t homeless just because they are drug addicts, alcoholics, prostitutes, or lazy. There are many layers that explain why they are living this sad lifestyle.

And the thing that I have been struck with the most is that they really aren’t that different from me. There was a time when I would have said, “I could never be homeless, I would rather die than spend one night on the street, and I would do anything to make sure that I never had to.” But I would have spoken out of ignorance. As I have considered their histories, I have realized that most of them have experienced more abuse, neglect, and hardship than I can even comprehend. If I had experienced the kinds of things that most of them have, I would be just like they are.

What makes me different from them really has nothing to do with me. I was born into a different life, with wonderful parents and great opportunities and the grace of God all around me. It was a gift that had nothing to do with me.

So now when I look at them I don’t think, “How could you let yourself live this life,” I simply feel overwhelmed with compassion, and even though I know that for many of them it is going to take a Holy Spirit miracle for their lives to change, I hope and pray that I get to see the miracle take place.

GE Day

Volunteers from General Electric came in force last night. They were all in green company shirts filling every space in the kitchen. Many of the homeless had not seen them before and one asked me if it was St Patrick’s Day which I replied that it was just GE day. It is good to have volunteers but it can be difficult to coordinate that many new volunteers. But the food was prepared on time although the banana pudding was made without the pudding but no one seemed to notice.

Zak preached for Paul tonight. He brought a powerful message and didn’t seem to be distracted by the comings and goings of people in the room. That can be difficult at times unless you stay focused on the message. There were a few disturbances but most were resolved although one individual was sent packing.

As usual there were many requests such as rides every where, money, socks, shirts, gasoline, electric bills to be paid, medication, and two stamped envelopes. One individual wanted us to take some legal action against the police for harassment. We did as much as we could for the resources available.

We had a smaller crowd last night. We served 68 meals with the assistance of 18 volunteers.
~Marc

What's His Story?

I have had many volunteers say to me “what’s his story”. What they mean is why is he homeless or what happened to him that resulted in his situation. Of course there is no one answer. We all end up in our current situations because of the influence of others and our own personal decisions. But most of the time nothing turns out like you would expect it. Most would not choose homelessness. Although there are a few that has learned to live with it and probably would not give up this life style. Many have had terrible family situations more varied than I have time or space to write about. Then there are many that just make bad choices i.e. drinking, drugs, or crime to name a few. Then it can be a combination of both problems. All of this can devastate anyone and the street is the result.

Many of the volunteers are reading a book titled “When Helping Hurts” (short title). The authors premise is that the poor is a result of brokenness of foundational relationships. Everyone was created to live in a right relationship with God, self, others, and the rest of creation. But the fall was a problem for everyone. So the first thing is to realize there is no difference between them (homeless) and us (volunteers). We all have the same problem. So when we say what’s his or her story, we could just as easily say what is our story.

Our story last Tuesday night included serving 68 meals with the assistance of 18 volunteers. We were blessed to have a group from East North Street Baptist Church. They jumped right in helping in the kitchen, serving, and spending time with the homeless. We are always grateful for active volunteers. There are always a lot of needs and no one person can possibly help everyone. ~Marc