My Stingy Wallet - The Story of a Bum Who Exposed my Selfishness

Quick Statistics:  January-2013

* 11,167 people are homeless in Denver

* 43% are women

* 62% are adults with children

* 25.4% are newly homeless

* A mother with an infant child living in Denver County would need to earn $15.51/hour working full time ($32,760/year) to make ends meet.

* 1 in 5 Colorado households cannot afford to make ends meet

(Information obtained from http://mdhi.org)

The issue of homelessness has always weighed heavily on my mind.  I, like many others, am guilty of avoiding eye contact with the individual on the corner holding a sign which lists the details of their particular situation.  Why?  Because I am in love with my wallets' contents.  

Are you like me?  Whenever someone asks me for some spare change I run through a list of reasons why I "can't afford" to empty the dimes and nickels from my pocket.  Ten minutes later, I will walk into the convenience store and purchase a $1.69 bottle of Dr. Pepper.

Then, my mind will dutifully remind me that this person will likely spend the money I give them on drugs or alcohol.    

I remember when I broke away from that train of thought.  I happened to be watching a comedian who was speaking on the topic of homelessness.  He said, "when you give a homeless guy a pocket full of change what do you think he is going to do with it?  Go make a deposit in his bank account?" 

Homelessness brings light to my selfishness.  This is an area of weakness in my life.  I love my things.  I am attached to my things.  I work hard for my things and I only want to share what I have with my family.

Matthew 25 v. 42-45 says, "For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me. Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?' Then he will answer them, saying, Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me."

I am also reminded of the man who Jesus told to sell everything he owned and follow Him. The guy couldn't do it.  He was attached to his stuff.  Just like I am.  Just like you are.

I used the word "bum" because that is what I used to call them (the term has long been removed from my vocabulary).  In my mind, they were all lazy addicts who merely want to live off the taxpayer dime.  There is some truth in this statement.  2/3 of homeless people report that drugs and/or alcohol were a major reason for their becoming homeless and there are people who have no drive to get a job.  

Addiction does exist among the homeless population.  I would argue that this does not give us an excuse to love them less nor should we let these individuals cast an example over the entire homeless population.  There are several top reasons why someone might be homeless including economic crisis.  And you know firsthand we are seeing a lot of that right now.

I'd like to encourage you to watch the attached interview with Chicago resident Ronald Davis (see link below) who was homeless as of this year.  

As I watched Ronald's story, I couldn't help but think about my own need for grace.  We are all broken in one way or another.  Romans 3 v. 20-24 says, "For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. The Righteousness of God Through Faith but now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus."

We should be engaging the homeless population as Christ would have.  Talk with them.  Their stories will move you.

See Ronald Davis' story HERE.