There are homeless people all around. You live near them, walk by them, and see them almost every day.
But what do you DO about them? What can you do?
If you give them money, will they spend it on drugs and alcohol? Aren’t they homeless because they don’t want to work? Shouldn’t they just go get a job? Isn’t the government taking care of them?
There are so many questions about homeless people. And so few of us have any answers.
Learn the answers to these questions and learn how to love homeless people from someone who spends large amounts of time with the homeless every week.
Learn how to help the homeless
Sam Riviera has been loving and serving the homeless people in his area for many years. I have recently been trying to begin showing love and service to the homeless in my own area, and asked him for suggestions and advice. In response, he wrote 13 blog posts on how to love the homeless.
The stories Sam shares are often heart-wrenching, but more than this, Sam’s deep love for Jesus and how he wants to share this love with those who rarely see it is truly beautiful.
If you have questions along the way about loving and serving the homeless, Sam is quite active in the comments on this blog, and will be more than happy to answer any questions you might have.
I have been helped by reading these posts, and believe that if you want to learn how to love the homeless in your area by meeting their needs and showing them the love of Jesus, you also will benefit from reading these posts.
And it is super easy to read them all! Just sign up to have them sent to your email inbox. There are 13 emails total, and you will receive a new one every Friday. Sign up below to learn how to love and minister to the homeless.
There is so much need in the world!
And YOU can help.
Fill out the form below to receive several emails about how to love and serve the poor and homeless.
(Note: If you are a member of RedeemingGod.com, login and then revisit this page to update your membership.)
Matthew 25:40 is a good place to start when thinking about what to do for the homeless. Basically, treat them like you would Jesus.
Beyond that, I made a few simple suggestions on my blog a while back. https://fatbeggars.wordpress.com/2015/07/23/3-simple-ideas-for-street-ministry/
Perhaps you might find them useful?
What ever else, I am grateful for a man who “deeply loves Jesus… and the homeless”. And I am glad you are promoting him.
Thanks.
I will love to keep reading about them but i did research about them
We need to more than just feed people. We need to start friendships and relationships with people and call them to a higher level. This takes time, patience. Food is good but partnership is better.
Jeremy F., Yes, you are correct. Go to the “Search” box at the bottom of the front page on this blog, enter the word “homeless” and read the other posts about homeless and you will find getting to know the homeless and becoming friends with them suggested numerous times. In some areas, the homeless do not have enough food. In others, such as where we live, that is rarely a problem. However, the homeless everywhere need relationships, which is something most of us can provide. Amazingly, however, we find that many people are afraid of trying to become friends with the homeless.
Despite me surviving on disability funds, thus having less than $9,500 income per year, I still have helped the homeless with money for food, clothing, and even simple things like a mirror and scissors such that each haircut is a free one. One homeless person that I helped is homeless no more and is back with his family.
I have also donated $300 per year to “World Vision”.
Meanwhile I have been told that it is stupid of me to donate money to the homeless, and I am being told so by people who instead give money to the rich, which is why the rich are becoming richer and richer exponentially per year.
The fact that I can help others while surviving at not poverty level, but poverty level divided by two, yet other folk do nothing but buy tons of clothes for themselves, several cars, a big house, fancy vacations, and attend church, totally stuns me.
Sean, Sometimes we have to ignore people who criticize others for helping the less fortunate of the world. I have noticed that some of the people I know who do this seem to feel that anyone doing such things is contributing to the problem, which in most cases is gross ignorance. Those folks will see the issue in an entirely new light should they ever find themselves on the other end of the equation. They will not want to hear “Sorry, it be be stupid for me to give you something to eat. I would only be contributing to your problems.”
In my opinion, such comments to those who help the homeless often are a window into the minds and rationalizations of the person making the comments, revealing why they think they should not have to share any of their money, goods, or time with the homeless and poor.
World Vision is a good organization.
Sean,
I am a kindred spirit right there with you. I only wish I had tons of money so I could help tons more people. You continue just as you are. Christ is shining thru you.
Just today there was a homeless young man behind my mother and I at the Walmart. He is living in a tent and he was buying bug spray to keep the mosquitoes and other creepy crawlies off him. So we paid for his stuff and the lady ahead of us slipped him a $20.
Now I am determined to find him (we know the general area) and help him get off the street.
Pray for us and for him as we look for him!
Much love in Christ,
Jody
P.S. If we find him, I will report it back here.
I honestly think that helping the homeless is something we all can do. Even if we just give them something small. What I do strongly believe is that there needs to be a place that no only ministers to the homeless, but also try to get them back on their feet, so they can begin to produce for themselves. This would be for those who want to make a change in their lives.
There is such a place at the church my parents attend…First Baptist of Dallas.
Website is dallaslife.org.
http://www.dallaslife.org/who-we-are.html
They help vets too.
i like chicken
Thank you so much for the wonderful ideas! I’m excited to get the emails about how to love and serve the homeless as well. Some utility companies will allow you to pay heating/utility bills anonymously for someone you know who may be struggling financially. Maybe it could help someone avoid homelessness?
I’ve been writing a blog to help people learn to live well with God at http://www.livingwellwithgod.com. I’m considering a series detailing practical ways to love a variety of people based on things the Bible says we should do (ie. practical resources to give clothes to those who need them, give food to those who are hungry, comfort those who are mourning, etc.) You’ve definitely given me some great inspiration here.
I know that the homeless are tough. I see them battling everyday just to eat and live. You here people say get a job. I always tell my children you never know until you walk in someone’s shoes. I wish there was a simple way to make homelessness go away. There’s not. It all starts with what each individual can bring to the plate. Donate your time. Give to a reputable homeless foundation.