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Reaching Out to the Down and Out in Love

March 13, 2017 By Author John Leave a Comment

Down and Out

A Christian Writer’s Devotional Reflection

Beggars, Begging, and Giving to the Poor

I was driving a couple to the airport when we passed a beggar standing on a corner holding out a cardboard resume. After we had passed, the lady asked me what went through my mind when I saw a beggar standing on the corner. A brief discussion ensued as to how we should respond to street corner beggars.

I left the couple at the airport and thought about beggars all the way home. I kept asking myself, “How should I respond to street corner beggars and the down and out in general?” Then the question came to mind, “Well, how did Jesus respond to beggars, to the down and out?” Back in the office I sat down at the computer and looked up all the passages on beggars, begging, money and the like.

BeggarsIn brief, beggars and begging are mentioned numerous times. “The poor” are mentioned numerous times. Money and giving are mentioned as well. However, there seems to be no precedent for giving money to a street corner type beggar. We are not told that Christ or the Apostles tossed coins to beggars. On the other hand Christ and the Apostles kept a purse, and it is indicated that from their funds they gave to the poor. Also, Paul took up an offering for the poor from among the churches.

It is significant to note that Christ reached out to beggars in love and helped meet their real needs—eyesight for the blind and healing for the lame and afflicted—but again, there are no examples of His giving coins. His example tells us that a beggar is not to be despised, and implies that a better stewardship of funds would be to “give to the poor.” But what does that entail?

Well, I suppose giving to the poor would involve giving to agencies that distribute to the down and out according to their need, and/or giving directly to people according to their needs—buying a meal, buying a warm coat, paying their electric bill, and so on.

Giving money to the corner beggar is likely not the best way to help them. On the other hand, we should not withhold our hand from the poor either. After all, in the book of proverbs we read that “he who has mercy on the poor is blessed.” (Proverbs 14:21)

For further consideration, Got Questions has a good answer to this question as well.

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Filed Under: Author Blog Tagged With: devotional, fun read, good book, Once Upon a Knight

A Christian Author’s Devotional Reflection

February 22, 2017 By Author John 2 Comments

Christian Author's Devotional

This Week’s Thought and More

An Attitude of Gratitude

“Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, let us shout joyfully
to Him with psalms.” Psalm 95:2

Devotional ReflectionFor what am I thankful? Yes, all the usual things like family, friends, sins forgiven, peace with God, a roof over my head and food on my plate. But I am also thankful for things I too often take for granted: Tears spilled once again in the same old puddle; smiles given and received; laughter that pushes daily burdens out of view for a while; eyes that sparkle with “I love you’s”; a touch that warms the heart; hugs that dispel shadows of loneliness; a kind word that chases off that niggling mouse named Sadness; and the quiet presence that says “I care.” I am thankful for these prized blessings from the hand of God, realized through the touch of family, friends and acquaintances.

In response I look to the heavens and whisper, “Lord, thank You for the preciousness of relationships!”

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Filed Under: Author Blog Tagged With: attitude of gratitude, book synopsis, devotional, existence of God

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John Edgell, Author

John has experience as a school teacher, a pastor, and has been a writer of stories since his two sons were knee high to a gnome.

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