Watching Out For The Poor
One who is gracious to a poor man lends to the Lord,
And He will repay him for his good deed.
In a discussion with a brother in Christ a couple of days ago, we ventured into the subject of people watching. This was because my friend was in a carpark while waiting for his wife, and had the opportunity to watch the comings and goings of others around his car. I love people watching too; I remember as a young man when I depended upon buses for my transport it was a truly rich place to watch people, and also talk to those folk that were open to chat. In the UK we are fervent about queues, which are also good places to watch others. It was in a queue that I learned one of my most valuable life lessons.
There was a time when unemployed people on Government benefits had to attend the local Job Centre to sign a declaration of their unemployed status. Every fortnight you would turn up to queue at your appointed time along with others, it was an alphabetical system thus you usually met the same folks on every visit. In 1993 I was in Dundee and “signed on the dole” down the city centre near the docks every fortnight, where I met another A. Kearns standing in line! This guy by appearance looked dark skinned, but the closer I got I could see it wasn’t colour but rather dirt. The stench that wafted from him as the queue moved forward was something I will never forget. Each time I saw him he wore exactly the same dark clothes…but more worn than previously. Quickly I found myself being judgemental of this other A. Kearns; how could someone allow themselves to be this way. But as the weeks went by something happened in me; God began a work in my heart for this stranger that held the same name. Soon I found myself thinking of and praying for my namesake often, asking God for an opportunity to show some kindness to him. I only saw him a few more times after that, managing to engage him in a nod, a smile or a “hi” rather than ignoring him. I chastised myself, that I had missed an opportunity to share the love of God with a hurting man because of my initial bad attitude. But as time went on it became apparent that God’s primary work in these meetings was with me when I met Mr. Kearns in Dundee.
Dear Reader, people watching is fun and I would also say it is educational. But as we engage in watching others we must be careful not to be judgemental as I was, particularly of those begging outside the supermarket or on the street…especially if they smell a bit. Our negative reactions won’t surprise them but our attitude will be seen by Almighty God. The next time we see a poor soul in need of some kindness, let us not walk by without sharing God’s love in some way with them; buy them a sandwich and/or a coffee, smile and talk with them and, tell them God loves them. In the moment ask God for His guidance, and follow it.
Alan Kearns is a Christian father and grandfather from Scotland. He was raised in the mining villages of Fife and came to know Jesus as his Lord and Savior in 1984. A major influence that leads Alan to Jesus was his Christian mum, grandparents and an aunt. Alan writes regular devotionals in his blog Devotional Treasures
What is Good for Him?
Christians seek many spiritual things: anointing, power, gifts, blessing, fruit, wisdom, prosperity. I pray the Lord will make us thoroughly and completely dissatisfied with THINGS, even the things He gives us, and make us hungry and thirsty for Himself.
May we judge things not by whether they are “good for us,” but whether they are good for the Lord, whether His Will is done in them, whether His Need is met by them, whether His Purpose is fulfilled in them, whether His Son is seen through them. He is the Only One, the Beloved Son of God.
Your Friend- His servant.
Isaac Otieno