The Question No One Can Answer

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

Everyone is NOT called to run a homeless shelter or food pantry. And, frankly, I am tired of the guilt trips. Everyone doesn't have the same calling or burden placed on their lives. Some people are not capable of handling the work of running a homeless shelter or food pantry. I am not called to work in a country like Sis. Alvear. I am not going to feel guilty about that.

I'm just saying that most of the saints I know have made little room to even volunteer once every three months. Many of these shelters desperately need hands. And I'm primarily talking about those healthy and strong enough to volunteer. And I'm also talking about only maybe four hours on a Saturday or another day once every three months. Something.

I think it's a bit ridiculous to call such a benevolent Christian nation a bunch of slackers on helping those in need. There are people getting help and there are people who don't want God, they just want a bunch of freebies. So, do we continue to feed them?

I see a big problem with this quote. We don't serve others, feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, care for the sick, and offer help in general in order to make them choose God. We do it because it's the right thing to do. The poor we will have with us always. Some are slackers. Some are not. Most suffer from mental illness. Many have been ravished by drugs and alcohol. Most still struggle with drugs and alcohol. It would be nice to see them get clean, but many have given up. We don't cease helping those in need if they suddenly say, "Hey, your Jesus thing isn't for me." We smile, and say, "That's fine. And we're still here for you." Besides, we don't chose God. God chooses us. No man comes to Christ unless the Father draws him. Sometimes, when one is full of the Spirit, one can sense who God is drawing out of the crowd of needy people. Minister to them. Become the door through which the Father can draw one to Christ.

Certainly, it's not for me to worry about their mindset.

I believe we are our brother's keeper.

God taught me a lesson one day when I was at a concert with my son. We came to see a Christian group who were not the headliners. A massive group of young people were in attendance. They weren't there to see the Christian band, but the headliner group.

I had such a burden for them. God spoke to me and said that I should pray that ONE person in each community would rise up to reach them for the Gospel. All He needed was ONE person in each community to get the ball rolling. It wasn't my job to go and feed, clothe or proclaim the Gospel to them. It was too much for me to handle. All He asked me to do was pray, and He would do the rest.

Are you saying you couldn't volunteer at a local shelter or pantry for just four hours every three months?

Not one person at a homeless shelter would call getting fed a greater miracle than someone standing in line suddenly growing a limb.

Of course, that's the carnal mind. The carnal mind wants to see miracles and fireworks. Those who see through the Spirit find that seeing people (who are sinful and selfish by nature) giving of their time and resources to help another without any desire for repayment to be a far greater miracle. It's rare. For example, Mother Theresa's service to the sick and needy in India is a greater miracle than a man's limb growing back. So what, a leg grows back. Medical science is getting to the point where they can grow organs and limbs too. Ah... but overcoming self, pride, ego, and serving others without the desire to be repaid or to have them do as you want... that's truly something. (In my opinion.)