Too Many to Help

     In this new town, we have moved to, there are many homeless individuals filling the streets with tents, campers, old cars, or just lying on the ground. Any attempt to help seems infinitesimal compared to the vast sea of unhoused people. Yet, it's also a great reminder to be grateful for what we have including our health and medical care. 

    The Bible reminds us that God sees the poor and destitute and will listen to them if they call to Him, "This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles" (Psalm 34:6). We are also reminded to help the poor as a way to glorify the Lord, "Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God" (Proverbs 14:31). Lastly, we are told that if we bless others, we too will be blessed, "Those who give to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to them receive many curses" (Proverbs 28:27). 

    So even though I've heard people say, "No good deed goes unpunished," scripture indicate that God sees the good that people do for others and blesses them, "Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done" (Proverbs 19:17). I have found in my own life, that I can't out-give God, "And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work" (2 Corinthians 9:8). So essentially, He gives to the givers so that they can give more. 

    I felt a bit discouraged today as I peered over the fields of tents and ragtag people struggling to make it in life, but as disheartened as I felt God reminded me that rather than think that there are "too many to help," I need to change my mindset back to the Starfish parable that this blog is named after. The boy in the story said he couldn't save all the starfish that had been washed up on the shore in the heat of the day, but as he picked up one and tossed it back into the sea, he noted that he could help that one. 

    It's a great reminded that we might not be able to help everyone, but we can help someone. 

Luke 3:11, John answered, "Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same."