Interfaith Network Reaches Out to Help the Poor

“When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not wholly reap the corners of your field when you reap, nor shall you gather any gleaning from your harvest. You shall leave them for the poor and the stranger: I am the Lord your God.” (Lev. 23:22)
“Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come you blessed of My Father inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world for I was hungry and you gave Me food, I was thirsty and you gave Me drink, I was a stranger and you took Me in, I was naked and you clothed Me, I was sick and you visited Me, I was in prison and you came to me.” (Matthew 25: 34-36)
“Assuredly I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of My brethren, you did it to Me.” (Matthew 34:40)
The Bible contains numerous passages that deal with God’s deep concern for the poor. One of the best-known parables in Scriptures is that of the Good Samaritan, the kindly gentleman who stopped and cared for a stranger in need when neither the priest nor the Levite would. The priest and the Levite were the presumably “good” people of Jesus’ Jewish society. (Luke 10) This story, told by Jesus, was an oral rebuke to the religious leaders of that time, convinced of their own self-righteousness, they had become calloused and judgmental toward those experiencing troubles.
Christ transformed history by his benevolent actions. Christian charity evolved from his example; and like him, his followers extended their compassion and generosity beyond the circle of fellow believers. In his book, D. James Kennedy reports, “Emperor Julian ‘The Apostate,’ the last Roman emperor to try to stamp out the Christian faith, marveled at how the Christians loved even the pagans, even their enemies.” (What if Jesus Had Never Been Born?)
The church became known for sheltering and feeding the homeless, providing counseling, and effectively doing all the work of a social service agency. Prominent examples are the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA), founded in 1844, and Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA), founded in 1855. These ministries took care of the physical and spiritual needs of millions of poor in the urban areas of the world.
Unfortunately, through the years, many American churches departed from the biblical values of assisting the deprived and destitute. Instead, they built lively social programs designed mainly to entertain their own congregants, while reaching out to the sick and hurting in the community became almost an afterthought rather than the primary intention. Where the church diminished its role, government filled in the gap — and church members, to their shame, have adopted the attitude of Ebenezer Scrooge: They pay their taxes, which support welfare programs, and that fulfills their obligation toward the impoverished.
These church members fail to grasp, however, the terrible spiritual void that a secular system can never fill.
Recently, as I sat in church one Sunday, I was rocked by the powerful testimony of a young woman. I had observed her regularly at worship services. I saw her as bright, attractive, and articulate — but as she spoke, I quickly realized that I had no idea of her personal strife.
She shared how she had become homeless in a sudden economic downturn and had to suffer the humiliation of seeking help, uprooting her children, and navigating a system that is impersonal, detached, and complicated. She even spent time living in a tent. She introduced our church to the work of the Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN), an organization composed of over a dozen local churches that seek volunteers from among their members to not only open their hearts but their own church doors to house the homeless.
The stereotype of the homeless person, someone who was mentally ill or abused alcohol or drugs, has been joined by a new paradigm. Families with young children are the fastest growing segment and now account for up to 40 percent of America’s homeless. It is a simple mathematical equation: Declining wages and lost jobs equal people with multiplied problems, people who are unable to afford housing, food, health care, child care, and education.
The young woman explained the many different ways church congregations can help. The most tangible way is transforming rooms (such as Sunday school classrooms) into warm, inviting bedrooms for the families in crisis. Then, volunteers take shifts with the family: sleeping at the building; making breakfast in the morning; providing lunch, dinner, homework help, and access to social programs.
I was inspired by the opportunity to serve in mission work right here in my own back yard. I volunteered, and received so much more than I gave. The families blessed me with their affection and friendship. I was touched and personally encouraged by their optimistic attitude, certain calm buoyancy they maintained despite their heart-wrenching stories and circumstances. I was reminded once again how much we take all the stuff in our lives for granted, and how unnecessary most of it really is.
The families helped me to not only count my own blessings, but far more importantly, to desire to actively be a blessing. This particular church program exemplifies the meaning of the Body of Christ, to be the living eyes, ears, hands, and feet of Christ.