That Smelly Old Beggar

Not loving the poor is common to everyone who has more than the basic food and clothing that they need. Show me a thousand people that own a few basic signs of wealth such as a television, a car, and a sterio. And I will show you nine hundred and ninety nine that are afraid to welcome someone into their home because they are afraid what they have will be stolen. ... Hebrews 13:1-2

Matthew 25:31-46 teaches us that we are accountable as individuals regarding the people that we meet one on one and do not give to. So many like to hide behind what they put in the collection plate and then say they have given to the poor. But when was the last time we snubbed an unkept smelly fellow with the excuse that we would simply be helping him with his alcohol addictiont.

Sure that 'excuse' might work regarding giving him money; maybe. But if you follow Christ then you know he gave us an example of 'stopping' whatever he was doing and spending several minutes, or perhaps even an hour with the smelly old beggar that might be buying a couple of swigs of "the good stuff" with the money he's been given by others. When was the last time you invited "an outcast" to eat with you. You know, that person that would make non Christians look at you and stare.

Once again this doesn't apply to just the U.S. .. It applies to each of you reading this. This applies to me.