Homelessness and Compassion: A Christian Perspective

Homelessness has been studied, discussed, politicized, argued over, ignored and confounded. There seems to be no solution. While this is a major problem, particularly in cities, it is an enduring problem – a problem that in reality will never fully go away. It will not go away for a variety of reasons. The causes are diverse – high housing costs, drug addictions, mental illness, unemployment, bankruptcies, to name a few. And for that reason, the solutions must be diverse as well.

So, what is a follower of Jesus to do when confronted with homelessness?

It is unrealistic to think there is a solution that can be articulated in a few hundred words but here is a summary of thoughts about it.

We have a mandate

Throughout God’s Word, we see various commands and instructions to care for the poor, the uprooted, the refugee and the foreigner – those that are disenfranchised and have very little cultural or actual power to change their circumstances.

There is a biblical call to action. The need is overwhelming. Individually, there are things that can be done. Corporately we can pool resources to help even more.

Action is already being taken

Numerous homeless shelters, soup kitchens and refugee centers are operated by dedicated followers of Jesus. Supporting these efforts is critical to helping those in need. Financial help and volunteer help makes a difference.

Homelessness and compassion

To be callous about the need is not a biblical approach. It is easy to become somewhat cynical about it, so we must continually guard our hearts and seek the heart of Jesus. Homelessness and compassion go together in the life of those who follow Jesus.

This is an uncomfortable situation for us as we confront this problem. It is so much easier to try to ignore it but that is clearly not the right thing to do.

Small acts of kindness

For many, small acts of kindness are possible. For most of us, a few dollars given to those who are begging will not result in personal hardship. Over the years, my wife and I have given money, offered food and meals, talked with, encouraged and prayed with the homeless we have encountered.

Some have held a position that if you give them money they will just spend it on drugs or alcohol and that may be true. However, that does not change the need or the reality that many of the homeless simply want a better life and are hungry and in need of hope.

Small acts of kindness can at least give a little hope. A conversation and prayer can communicate that the homeless are not forgotten or ‘invisible.’

Changing our thought process

How we think about homelessness often governs our response to it. Frequently, as I observed the homeless, I think about their lives. At one point, they were tiny babies, innocent and helpless. For some home life was difficult, for others not so much. At no point in their young lives did they aspire to living on the street. They believed that they would live a ‘normal’ life.

Trying to see people in the light of their whole life rather than their immediate circumstances is key to changing our thought process about the homeless.

Your thoughts

I didn’t set out to provide any kind of comprehensive solution to homelessness. But I want you to think about your response to this problem. I would like you to link homelessness and compassion together in your thoughts and actions. Follow the prompting of the Spirit as you pray and do your part to minister to ‘the least of these.’