by Greg Kneller

We Christians are pretty good at justifying the bad rap we feel we get in society.  What we see as being holy and pure is often perceived as egotistically separatist, elitist, and self-righteous; and, be it right or wrong, perception is everything.  After thirty-four years in Christendom, I have acquired an increasing scent of cynicism which calls into question much of what I believe and challenges those of us who believe it—look not too closely and you’ll find a fair amount of ego here also.

Recently, while reading Tom Davis’ Red Letters: Living a Faith That Bleeds, I was called to the carpet.  Tom references first and second century Christians who gave to all who asked and they never asked why.  I immediately justified my position of being gracious to those in need if I could guarantee they wouldn’t spend it on drugs or alcohol.  There are many things wrong with that logic, however.  First, it usually kept me from giving instead of causing me to give.  It also puts me in charge…as if?  And, it is a condition.  I understand that we don’t want to support a lifestyle of which we don’t approve, but again, it’s not about me.  God clearly commands us to give and give freely.  So here was my challenge.

I told God that I wanted to give to someone in need without any judgment.  I went looking.  It was Sunday morning, and I figured I should be able to find someone in need before I got home from church.  As I dropped some stuff off at Goodwill, I gave the cash to a worker who must have needed it—and I hope he did, but I was restless.  There was still a lot of judgment in me and in that gift.  I had found a guy whose circumstances told me he could use the help—I judged that he needed it, and he didn’t even ask for help.

Two days later I turned 41.  I planned a fun evening of Chinese take-out and movies with my family.  My son and I were rushing home for the big event, and it was raining.  As we rushed to the car, a tall, thin man came up to me and literally asked, “Hey man, can you help me out?  I’m trying to get home to my family in Chicago, and my car ran out of gas.”

Uh, oh.

“I’m forty-nine, and I lost my job, and my wife is waiting for me.  If I could just get home tonight, I can send you a check in the mail,” he quickly and somewhat convincingly speaks.  I’ve heard this before, I thought.  I tell him I have no cash, and I turn to leave (my son is now in the car—watching).  But, as I do I remember—give to anyone who asks without judgment.  I pause.  I ask him to wait five minutes. We rush to the ATM and rush back.  I pull up, and the man is still waiting, and he jumps at the sight of my truck.  I hop out of the truck with the door still open to give him the cash.  “Thank you so much.  You’re an angel,” he says as his smile breaks through the dark rain.  I tell him I’m surely not and that I hope things work out for him.  He asks me if there is anything he can do for me, and I tell him there isn’t.  He says it’s a wonderful day and that I really helped him a lot.  I tell him it was indeed—my 41st birthday.  He congratulates me and gave me a hug.  I can smell the alcohol still on his breath, and I again resist judgment and the urge to fill his stomach with food rather than his hand with money.  Carl tells me that life has been hard, but that I made his day and that he would like to pray for me if I would also pray for him.  We agreed; we embraced; and we departed—Carl with a damp twenty and a lighter step, and me with some thoughts to reconcile. 

I don’t know what Carl did with the money, but that isn’t my concern.  God asked me to give and give freely; I asked God to provide that opportunity, and He did.  I’ve been praying for Carl.  Whatever his need was that night, it was met just a little through me.  My need was also met.  Interestingly, it was easier to give the cash than it was to resist running from Carl or living up to our aforementioned Christian stereotype.  Yet, as I continue to ponder that moment and look forward to more, I am struck with this: Carl found a person who would meet his need; I opened my heart, my wallet, and my mind; and my son witnessed a moment that he will not forget.

First, before I start - this is not an appeal for giving to our carepoint.  I am completely comfortable that Ludlati is in God’s hands and that we have no need to badger anyone for support.  Having said that, I do think that we all need to seriously consider how important it is to give generously to support the poor.  Where?..  How?... I can’t tell you that. Seek God with that question, He won’t leave you without an answer if you desire to give deeply of what you have.  Why do I think it is so important to support those in need… to an extent that demonstrates real compassion? (Remember that definition again – the Greek root words mean “to suffer with”).  I’ll start with 48 reasons – 48 reasons among hundreds in God’s Word.  No need to look all these up, they are listed on this site under “About > Perspective” on the menu bar above, or at this link:  “About > Perspective”

Leviticus 19:18; Matthew 19:16-21; Matthew 22:34-40; Mark 12: 28-34; Luke 10:25-28; Romans 13:8-10; Galatians 5:13-14; James 2:8-9; Leviticus 25:35; Deuteronomy 15:7-8; Deuteronomy 15:10-12; Zechariah 7:8-10; Matthew 9:21; Luke3:10-11; James 2:14-19; 2 Corinthians 8:12-15; Exodus 22:21-23; Deuteronomy 10:18;  Deuteronomy 14:28-30; Job 24:1-4; Psalm 10:14; Psalm 68:5; Jeremiah 49:11; Isaiah 1:17; Isaiah 1:23; Matthew 18:5; John 14:18; James 1:22-27; Exodus 23:10-12; Leviticus 19:9-10; Leviticus 23:21-23; Exodus 23:4-6; Deuteronomy 24:17-18; Deuteronomy 27:19; 1 Kings 3:10-12; 2 Samuel 12:1-5; Job 29:16; Job 31:17-23; Psalm 112:4-6; Psalm 140:11-13; Luke 18:7-8; James 2:1-7;
Isaiah 10:1-3; Amos 5:6-7; Ezekiel 16:49; Matthew 23:23-24; Matthew 25:34-26; Luke 16:19-26

When you read these, note how many say “you must support a Ludlati orphan”.  That’s right, precisely zero.  I make no pretense to tell you where or how God has told you to have compassion for those in severe need.  However, I will be bold in this assertion:  God HAS told you to have true compassion for those in need.  To love them as you love yourself.  To love them as if they are Jesus… because Jesus said that in some very real way they ARE Him.  To give until there is equality.  He’s told you to do that.  How do I know that?  He made those instructions universally to all of us in His Word. 

I just listed three things God told you to do.  He told me the same thing.  My grades: FAIL, FAIL, and FAIL.  Thank God for grace.  But I will tell you that I believe I may be getting close to a D-minus for effort.  And God has met my weak and feeble effort with a peace and joy, a security in my life and purpose that I have longed for all my life but always failed to find.  God’s goal is not judgment.  It is for us to share in His joy and His heart’s desire.  He loves us… just as much as he loves the poor.  By giving we connect with His heart, the poor see and feel His love through us, and He is pleased.

The email below is from a staff member of Children’s Hope Chest to an online prayer group called iFast58.  As I read it, I was moved to tears and haunted by the question of how I allowed myself to put this in a box and not care for so many years.  I just flat out didn’t care.  That’s the reality, and I’m not going to sugar-coat it.  I knew full well that children like Dima existed, but I never opened myself to any level of personal compassion (that word again) for them.  It is an interesting parallel to the biblical concept that “faith without works is dead”.  I did not really care until AFTER I began to act out of obedience to what I saw in His Word, and my level of care and desire to serve orphans and the very poor has grown exponentially for every small action I take to physically help.  Don’t put off action until you “feel” an emotional call.  God will supply the emotional desire and the joy of doing His will when we act… at least that’s how it worked for me.

As I contemplated the iFast58 request today, my heart was broken. The profile of a young boy named Dima caught my attention. I am not sure why it caught my attention it has been sitting on a credenza in my office for weeks. But today, I began to think about him – how he is a little younger than my son Luke. I thought of how Luke sometimes needs his mom just to hold him or he will just come snuggle with us – Dima does not have that – he is alone. It is easy to dismiss Dima because we don’t know him – he is on the other side of the planet – out of sight and out of mind.
I want you to meet Dima:The is no current information on his parents.

In Russia , when a child is orphaned, they are stigmatized for life. Their options for education, work and a future are very limited. Their suicide rates are high as is their propensity to abuse drugs. Organizationally we have needs but I would prefer that you pray for Dima today. Please pray that he does not feel lonely when he goes to bed at night. Please pray that when he is scared someone will be there to tell him it is ok. Please pray that someone will encourage him and tell him he is special. Please pray that despite his circumstances that he will feel loved and not worthless. Please pray that he would feel the presence of a loving God who wants to him to know that he created him for a purpose.Thanks!