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and sorry to act like it's a big deal

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ORIGINAL: dt29

I often thought about this verse and how God expects us to use what He gives us for his Glory and to reach others.

Something happened tonight that really is weighing heavy on my heart, maybe some of you have wrestled with this before. But I encountered what I believe was a homeless man in the grocery store spending some handout money he might have just been given. He looked the part and acted like an outcast. He was quiet, stood off to the side and certainly did not appear like he belonged in that venue and he seemed to believe that himself. He dug through the deli case and found a premade sandwhich and was waiting to pay for it as I ordered some food from the deli myself. I had a few things to get and told the deli worker to ring him up first if she liked and she did. He didn't buy a drink, just the sandwhich and then sat down and ate there at the deli. I decided to get some extra chicken strips and a gatorade and then sat them at his table and told him it was for him. He looked at me with a surprised look and said thank you. I don't believe I have ever felt someone truly express so much gratitude in the simple reply of "thank you".

I think about how people I work with will bring food or snacks into work as treats on someone's birthday or just to have snacks. We are never hungry or fearful of going without food, and if I ever say thank you it's rather customary than anything esle.

I have never had much exposure to the homeless, but my heart does ache. I know circumstances can be different from homeless person to homeless person, but I find myself longing to tell this guy that he mattered. Not the way I matter to my coworkers or supervisor as an employee, and not the way I matter to the government as a voter or taxpayer or productive member of society. But rather that he mattered to the God that breathed life into him and sustained him and allowed him to be sitting in that grocery store at that very moment so God could truly bless me with the act of giving. I felt just as blessed as that man probably felt.

This was a new experience that God introduced and sorry to act like it's a big deal but I just wanted to share with others.

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ORIGINAL: rolling

Here's my beef with churchianity. Years ago when my wife and I first got saved we had a strong desire to help the needy on the street. Does anyone remember where the mission used to be in downtown Omaha? We did the unpardonable sin and took our 'tithes' and bought about 80 hamburgers. We bought some coffee thermoses and went downtown across from the mission.
We set up shop on the back of our car. We had our 2 small children with us. I went looking for some clientel. Out of the alley walked this guy who looked like he'd 'been through it'.
We offered him coffee and a burger. Before long, we had a crowd of street people all around us. Here's the kick. We had not felt the power of God like that ever in 'church'. The anointing could have been sliced with a knife. The following week we went down again to do the same. This one guy, about 40, walked up to us and began to thank us for what we were doing. He dropped a big WOW on us. He said 'I've been watching what you are doing here. Your children with you. My heart has been touched. I've decided to go back home to my family in Alabama. Thank-you'. Tears in his eyes. We saw a lot of tears with these men.
It doesn't get any better than that.
We had another fellow that poured out his life story to Kathy while I staid busy with others. He said he had been to Vietnam and his life was a shambles. Later God gave me a song titled Glenn's Song. That was his name. He was an american indian. If you care to, you can listen to this song at www.soundclick.com/devonleesley
The sad part is that we could no longer, after a while, afford to do this anymore. We are taught that you have to give a required amount to the 'church' weekly which left us with nothing to help the poor with. In fact we suffered for years financially. I submit that helping the poor and missionaries/apostles is the scriptural focus. Most folks I known through the years never had enough to fulfill Christ's concerns for the needy.
So we lost out on this ministry of the Spirit. That was 28 years ago. Last summer I re visited this 'pastor' that we had at the time. He told me that he was sorry for not supporting us with that street ministry.....to little, to late.
We have been delivered from the 'churches' narrow view about 7 year s ago. We now are directed by God on our living and yes, our giving. We are old now. It took a life time to 'see the light' on this, but at least we see now. The poor with in and the poor without. These are the ones we are to help. This will further the gospel more than anything.
I remember a few years ago we were in Lexington at a dollar store. I sat in the car waiting for Kathy to get what she needed. Out came a mexican family with a couple of kids. They proceeded to get into an old beat up car. My heart broke. I reached for a couple of twenties and went and gave it to him. The rest of the day my wife and I had our own personal Holy Spirit time. Driving down the road with tears streaming down our faces.
We never experienced this kind of blessing by merely writing a check out to this months 'awesome visiting preacher'. I realized some will try to correct me on this but please don't bother. We've been around the block some and now we know God's heart on 'how to give' and 'to whom'.
Funny how we are instructed week after week that we are to 'be led of the Spirit'.....except when it comes to money. You're under a law on that one. Wrong! God bless. devon and Kathy

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ORIGINAL: MrFribbles

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and sorry to act like it's a big deal

It is a big deal! It sounds like you've had a very powerful experience. Have you considered volunteering at a local homeless shelter?

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ORIGINAL: Prairiehiker

Thank you for sharing. It brought tears to my eyes.

My heart is always close to the homeless. I've had that same thing happen to me numerous times. There are so many homeless close to where I work. WHen they ask for money for coffee or food, I buy them the food to ensure that they actually get fed, and not use the money for other vices.

There's a homeless man that goes in our congregation. His name is Jim and he's mentally ill. I'm not sure what' swrong with him, but he goes there consistently. He doesn't ask for money; he even makes donation to the coffee fund. OFten times, I think he comes in just to take shelter from the cold. I consider him part of the community and when he's not there, I often wonder if he's ok. I know I"ll be very sad if something happens to him. He does't go to the shelter/soupkitchen that I volunteer in, but I"m sure he goes to the other ones.

I once bought him a really warm pair of gloves and gave them to him and he gave a smile that brought tears to my eyes. Just like you, it was a very heartfelt thanksgiving.

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ORIGINAL: rolling

The sad part is that we could no longer, after a while, afford to do this anymore. We are taught that you have to give a required amount to the 'church' weekly which left us with nothing to help the poor with.