Equal in His Eyes

As Christians we aren’t supposed to judge, are we? Yet, we are human and make mistakes DAILY.

In particular I have found a group of people I have judged quite a bit. You see this group on street corners holding signs. I have avoided eye contact. I don’t want them to see me reading their signs; I want to be in denial about their needs.

The judging begins immediately.

“Why don’t they get a job?” my mind says. “If I give them money, will they really spend it on food OR drugs and alcohol?”

Several years ago a friend and I volunteered for a homeless charity in our area to participate in a survey for the homeless. In a twenty-four hour period, groups of people canvassed the areas in our county where the homeless “live” to interview them, gathering census information such as names, ages, level of education, etc.

It was totally out of my comfort zone.

Of course it was eye-opening. Given neon-colored t-shirts to wear to distinguish us with our set goal, we met homeless who used to live a “normal life” but lost it to mental illness or a job loss or from committing a crime. We met homeless people with master degrees. We met homeless families. We met homeless people who were just plain lazy and lived that way because they did not want a job.

I don’t know what the final census was for that year, but I know what I experienced and my results.

In truth, many of us would be there if we had been born in a different family, time, or place. Because of the grace of God, I have a roof over my head, clean water, and a warm place to sleep at night (plus a whole LOT more blessings).

A few months after that experience, I was getting ready to head out of town with friends for a girls’ trip. Visiting the ATM I withdrew some cash in case I needed it on the trip. Afterwards, I went to fill my car with gas. While getting gas at a local Walmart, I saw a car with an older couple in the back of the parking lot, the windows covered in steam. I had seen this car before and knew they were an elderly couple living out of their car.

Noticing the lady’s window was down, the idea to go over and give her my money came in my head. I knew it wasn’t my idea! It was an intimidating thought. No. I wasn’t going to do it.

I paid for my gas, got in my car, and left Walmart. I wasn’t even a tenth of a mile down the road before the conviction from the Lord was overwhelming. He wanted me to help them. It was *He* who put that idea in my head. I hadn’t obeyed.

Turning around, I drove back and parked a few spaces down. Not really knowing what to say, I walked up to the lady who looked to be in her mid 70s having gray, unkempt hair and wearing a defeated expression. I handed her the money, gave her information about God’s free gift, and told her the Lord loved her.

That was it. I left. I knew I had obeyed the Lord. It made other times of helping the homeless easy.

God wants us to help the fatherless, the widows, and the poor. However, selfishness wants to creep up in all areas in our lives especially if we feel someone isn’t really trying to do their part in life. And what WILL they do with the money? Are they taking advantage of us? We’ve all heard the stories of the people working the corners or parking lots and then being seen walking back to their nice vehicles and driving off with easy money.

Here’s the thing. Jesus taught in Matthew 5:40-42 that even if someone is suing you and takes away your shirt, give them your coat also. And if someone asks you to walk one mile with them, go the extra mile – walk two. Give to the one who begs from you and let them borrow from you too. Yep, sounds like they are taking advantage of you. And it sounds like Jesus wants you to help them anyways.

Why? To show His love and generosity. Jesus showed these two things to those who hated Him and loved Him, to those who crucified Him and stayed at the foot of the cross throughout the ordeal.

You may have heard that the level is ground at the foot of the cross. It means we are equal in Jesus’ eyes. He loves us all. 💚

“Have you ever noticed how much of Christ’s life was spent in doing kind things?”

Henry Drummond

We teach our kids the Golden Rule – “do unto others as you would have them do unto you” – yet we don’t always live up to it (Matthew 7:12). Many of us have little eyes (or in my case almost adult eyes) watching us. What are we teaching? Selfishness or Christ’s love? Judgmental attitudes or obedience to God’s commands?

“The first question which the priest and the Levite asked was: “If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?” But the good Samaritan reversed the question: “If I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him?”

Martin Luther King, Jr.

What do you do? First of all, you do not have to give money. I know a family who has made this decision and while they do help others, they will not give cash. They will buy a meal or groceries, gas for a car, or a night’s stay in a hotel instead. If you make this your policy, when someone asks for money, then you can tell them your decision and ask how else you can help.

I have taken meals to some who live out of their cars. I have given others cash. You can also make bags with some basic needs to keep in your car and give out to bless a homeless person. (Here are two links for ideas: 1. Portland Rescue 2. Dallas Hope) If you are comfortable enough to spend time with the person, then offer to pray for them while there. Don’t help just for the sake of helping, show true love and compassion.

You will never look into the eyes of someone God does not love. You will never look into the eyes of someone Jesus Christ doesn’t want to accept His free give of salvation that He paid for on the cross. If we are to love others as Jesus loves us, then we should see everyone through His eyes.

Like many of the commandments, it’s not easy. We are human; we are flesh. We overanalyze; we make excuses. Our self-righteousness gets in the way. But love and give we are commanded; so love and give we should be obeying.

While praying about what to post for this week, I had the opportunity while visiting my daughter in California to talk with a homeless family outside a Target store. This couple with two young kids were from Chicago. We laughed about how we were all from out of town. Needing to get on my way to meet my daughter, I didn’t have time to ask their story, but I did help them. What did they do with the money? I don’t know, but again, I felt compelled to give them something instead of averting my eyes, ignoring their pleas, and quickly walking by.

I’m human and don’t always make the right choices. (Ask my family!) I may do exactly that (avert eyes, ignore, walk away) next time I encounter someone asking for help. Or I may feel the Lord wanting me to help. I’m trying to let Him guide and direct me through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and not my fleshly nature.

“I shall pass through this world but once. Any good thing therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any human being, let me do it now. Let me not defer it or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.”

Henry Drummond

It’s definitely an area where I am growing. Living life is not about staying in your comfort zone, staying stuck in how you’ve always done it and never stretching yourself. We should continue to increase our knowledge, deciding with the Lord’s help what our next step should be. Even with the homeless. Those we encounter in our every day are not on accident.

What about you? How have you shown the love of Jesus to the homeless? What ideas do you have to show His love to those in need? This post was specifically about the homeless, but we are also commanded to help the fatherless and widows (James 1:27). Alone we cannot help everyone, but together we can help many. As Christians we can make a difference in their lives by showing the Love of Jesus. Are you willing to make THAT difference as you live your portion in this life? 💕