May I Have Your Attention Please!!!
It had already been a long morning.
Woke up at 6 so I could go on a date with the kids b4 leaving to Cali.
Got to work around 7.
Chugged through some emails and then had our 4th floor bible study.
This has quickly become my favorite time of the week.
We are pushing our way through the book of James.
Trying to not come out too bloody.
Today was James 2:14-16.
Finished up, ran out the door, got on the train to the airport, and met this guy…
EXCUSE ME!!! LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, COULD I PLEASE HAVE YOUR ATTENTION!!!
My name is blah blah blah and I got kicked out of my blah blah blah and I am trying to get my life back in blah blah blah…
The lady across the train was having NONE OF IT…
And honestly, neither was I.
She went on saying how he gets on this train everyday and changes his story and he ain’t got no kids and his house didn’t burn down and she’ll pray for him but he ain’t gettin none of her money.
So I looked at Heather and she got up without me having to say anything.
She came back with a 5 and slipped it in my hands.
I called the guy over who was probably lying about his story.
I looked him square in the eyes and handed him the 5.
I smiled and held his hand a second or 2 longer than I’m sure he was used to.
I let go of his hand and he held on a second longer.
Letting go of whatever thug dignity he had left.
RAIN IT DOWN
Yes, bring it man … I'm sure that look spoke to him … who knows what God could say in that moment. Sounds so awesome – you and Heather were both in agreement …. when that's flowing, go for it. Awesome.
ballsy, love it.
cool story…you don't get this fun on SoCal freeways!
I have seen that dude on marta like 6 times.
I do personally do not give money in the street, I will however give food.
Props to you man. I honestly can't say no to this when someone asks me. I hear "What you do to the least of these…" echoing in my head. I know that it may be lies and they may be after a quick buck, but if they really need it and I refuse it, I know that I could never live with myself.
James is one of my favorite New Testament books. James just brought it. There was no mincing words with that brother. He just came out and said, "This is the way it is."
It was no coincidence that you studied that passage today. The Lord said, "I'm going to see what Carlos does with this today."
Awesome indeed.
That's being Christ right there.
We did the same thing with an Egyptian windscreen washer when driving around Ireland last year. But we both had to be in agreement for it to "work". And I'm sure I didn't look him in the eye as convincingly as you did.
That lady's face is *priceless*
You couldn't have gotten a more honest reaction out of anybody. And the 5 bucks – worth it for the story and the handshake.
Wow, walking the walk very nice.
blows up the 'normal' church policy huh? do it!!
Awesome story, Los. And I agree, that photo of the lady is priceless.
If you would have ended this post the way that SO MANY other Christians do I would have been so disappointed. Most of the stories end with, "You know they make so much money, right? You know they aren't even homeless, right? You know they probably buy booze with that money, right?"
Thanks Los.
that'll preach
When I moved to Chicago, my then supervisor (now husband..shhh) said, if someone asks you for money and you give it to them , it's not yours anymore and you can't be angry the next day if they are back. You do what you feel is right and leave it in their hands to do what they feel is right. Lead on!!!
I wonder if I'll see him one day.
My 12 year old daughter has gotten up every Thursday at 4:30am for almost two years to go cook and then feed breakfast to the homeless population of Baton Rouge. They feed them, let them shop in a free boutique for clothes and offer counseling for addictions and help getting a job if they wish. Over the last couple years we have seen many of these men start attending our HPC Baton Rouge Dream Center campus, some are no longer homeless, many are meeting Jesus. What my daughter and the No Place Outreach team also do is after serving the breakfast they go out to the Levee, overpasses, crack houses and "camps" to bring food, blankets, sometimes Medical care and always prayer BUT they never, never give money. Shocked? Don't be, one guy confessed that he makes 150.00 a day asking for money with a sign on the highway. They really don't need money. I know we think they do and it makes us feel better that we "helped" but really they need relationship, long term connections with people that will care how things go with them day in and day out. The man on the bus needs people that will help him in more ways then money.
They is such a loose term.
I don't know that. So I gave.
But I thought that way for a looooooong time.
So I understand.
I just dont agree.
gotta agree with you bro. Worked a homeless shelter for years…
It's not the cash… its the heart behind it they need. We hold on to our cash so tightly, and it shows how tightly we hold on to our true compassion.
It's 5 bux people. Give up your freaking starbucks, give them 5 bux and tell them Jesus loves them, no matter what anyone says, no matter if their story is a lie…
Or do what I do for the dude that begs at the redlight I have to stop at every day. Get him a double quarter pounder with cheese and a sweet tea from McDonalds, see his name is Barry… and I know that because I talk to him. He IS an addict. The money DOES go to drugs… but you know what? JESUS is bigger than ALL of that… and he knows my name, and that this Jesus dude is what makes me LOVE HIM. He has noticed.
May the Lamb that was slain recieve the reward of His suffering!
We don't serve them because of them… we serve them… BECAUSE OF HIM!!!!
Wait; you don't agree that:
"they need relationship, long term connections with people that will care how things go with them day in and day out. The man on the bus needs people that will help him in more ways then money." ??
or
just that: "They really don't need money."?
I used to think like you, Carlos, and I ALWAYS gave money — to every guy on every street corner at ever light. I thought, "Who am I to judge?"
But then I realized that I wasn't helping them at all; I was just making myself feel better for not doing anything substantial.
I'm not dissing you for giving him $5 — your heart is in the right place. But Carole and her daughter have been volunteering in the inner city for 4 years now (maybe longer?) and they have formed relationships with these people. And what little time I've spent there has shown me that what she says is true.
Money creates more problems than it fixes.
not sure what to do with this. i'm shooting a video for a homeless shelter and am processing a lot of these issues. after watching @hardlynormal twitter and fb for awhile, i'm convinced that it's going to take a lot to change all of the poverty. if i can be involved in the fundraising process by making a video/website that would benefit others, that would be something i could live with.
That's so cool. But most of the time, I'm just like that lady..
Kudos. As far as I read the Bible, it just says to give. It doesn't say to give if you think the guy won't drink it away. It doesn't say to give unless you think the guy's lying. It doesn't say to give food but not cash, or to give a five but not a twenty.
The Bible just says to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And however that worked out in your heart today, God bless you.
Out of curiosity, which Bible references are you referring too?
I quoted 2 Corinthians 9:7. But also look at Luke 6:30-36. Or how the prodigal father responds to his son when he returns home after blowing his inheritance on prostitutes a lewd living. Or Acts 20:35.
Honestly, I struggle with giving to beggars, also. I want to be the hands of Christ, but I want to be a good steward. I'm just saying that Carlos had a God moment with the guy on the train.
Interesting that the words you didn't use spoke the loudest.
Huh, I will have to bake this idea in my head a little more.
That's what I'm talking about Los!!!! Proud to know who you are brother!
Hey man thanks for that…. what an awesome reminder for each of us. But really I don't think that guy is very much different than the rest of us. We all do what he does. We all tell a story or wear a mask to get what we want or need from life and/or people. I know I do. We all hide behind some variation of the truth of our lives because many of us either can't or just plain refuse to be vulnerable and honest about our real situations. We all are needing something from life and those around us such as a hug, a $5, acceptance, love, grace, etc. This man needs something, he thinks it is a $5 but he is needing something much deeper and stronger than what money can buy him. He probably thinks if I tell people the real truth they will laugh at me and not care or tell me to screw off……..
………..continued…………….Little does he know that most people are doing that because he is lying (alledgely lying sorry). See Satan tells us to hide and lie and isolate because people will reject you. However, Satan is setting us up because people will actually reject for not being real or transparent (even though they themselves are too). God had it right when he tells us to be a community that is open, honest and vulnerable to each other no matter what our story or situation is. This man on the train is merely a very obvious example of each and every one of us at points in our lives.
Ok… sorry for the rant but God has really been knocking me flat with some of this stuff and this story just hit home for me. Nothing but love! I need it!
Bottom line. You did what you felt led to do.
And that means you made a difference.
Some people felt led to donate time. Others money.
Neither one is wrong.
So many great comments. I believe that you and Heather did what you felt led to do. I know you didn’t do it lightly, because you try to be good stewards of the money God blesses you with.
The truth of the matter is this: God tells US (believers, followers of Christ) to GIVE. He doesn’t tell us to qualify the recipients, to determine how they will use what we give them, He just says, give.
That said, He mentions different ways of helping the least of these — food, clothing, hospitality, visits. I believe he’s telling us to meet their deeper need by providing something others (non-believers) won’t or can’t do. They can’t “be” Jesus to them. You did. You touched him. You held him. You let him know with a look that you knew his story was bogus, yet you were gonna love on him anyway. I hope you get to see him again. A lot. I hope you get to learn his name and visit with him and maybe sit down with him and tell him WHY you gave.
So true bro, I often wonder how much of these sort of situations rest on the person starting them. I think that often we are just called to do our part. To Love and to show our love by things we do. I always have to wrestle with this, wether I am making a wise choice (with my money or time) or showing love and not giving into that a second thought. Good choice Los.
Sweet boots.
Yessssss.
How often have I seen this person in my life and not done anything for them?
We use our minds to quickly come to a conclusion that either:
(a) this person is worthy or our time/money/love or
(b) this person is not worthy and a liar.
But where are we ever called to judge? And while it is true that we should always use discernment from the Holy Spirit, we are always called to love. And I know I have a long way to go to learn how to do this.
Thanks for sharing.
Above all LOVE….thanks for that great story of love in action!!
Been camped in Luke 6.
30"Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back."
But my arguement with the Holy Spirit is, but God, I'll be broke, homeless, and miserable if I do that. HIS reply is continuous, "When was the last time someone asked you for anything?"
Then a couple verses later…..
38"Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
Do I trust God, or am I clinging to "my" "wealth"?
Finally, "For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil." "Where your treasure is, your heart will be also." and "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.""
That's all easy for me to say, I don't ride the MARTA everyday.
I also failed at this the other night. I deliver pizzas at night for extra income. Was approached by a prostitute. She only asked me for money. I told her I was broke and drove off. Those verses I mentioned above, immediately popped in my head and slayed me. What I wouldn't give for the opportunity to go back and give her $20 so my conscience would be clear and she might not have to work so hard that night. I won't have to answer for her actions on her back, but I will have answer for withholding grace, what I've been given so abundantly and unending, from her just because it was an awkward situation. Who knows, she might've been a cop. But I'd have rather gone to jail for being obedient and with a clear conscience then knowing I messed up a divine encounter.
That's my take. Thanks for letting me speak up.
Love you Los! I pray for you man! I've finally lost enough weight to wear the Ragamuffin shirt I bought 8 months ago. I need to send you a picture.
Jamie
Los, this was a great post man. I've struggled with those feelings and those types of people and not many realize there's the underlying story, regardless of the lies. Though I will say sometimes it's been hard to let go of the fiver because you know the stories been spun.
You my dear, are a bigger man than I (nevermind the fact that I am a woman!) I wish I could manage to step out of my comfort zone just a tad to do something like this. Hmmm, perhaps I will remember you and your actions next time. Thanks for giving me something to think about.
Dang bro great post!
I struggle with this principle all the time!
Way to go, almost made me cry yo!
Very cool Carlos!
I shared a pizza with a homeless woman sitting on her cardboard box in the middle of a busy parking lot. It was one of the most amazing moments of my life. I wrote about it here if anyone is interested in what God taught me. http://hollybirdswords.blogspot.com/2008/08/sorry…
blessings on you for seeing the man and not the need.
Holly
I love the study of James with our group! And it is amazing how one event goes with the other! Hope you are having fun in Cali. See you when you get back.
Great word man. I always felt guilty about giving those types of people money. You've now given me a different outlook on the situation. Thanks.