Homeless and Hungry - Tuesday 15 January 2008

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink...I needed clothes and you clothed me. Matthew 25 NIV

Most of us who live in this country do not have to worry about basic needs. We have homes to live in, food to eat, more than enough clothes and shoes. It is easy to believe that everyone is in the same position. A popular attitude says that if they are not, it is probably their own fault. They have not lived in a responsible way and therefore deserve all that they get.

I may have once believed that statement but I don’t any more and it seems very ‘goatish’. There but for the grace of God go I. Now I know that my own country has many people in it who do not have the basic needs for survival. One in seven children lives in substandard housing according to the homeless charity Shelter. Another group Crisis estimates that there may be as many as 380,000 hidden homeless people in the UK who do not ever get into the statistics. It is difficult to produce accurate statistics simply because there is no way of tracking homeless people.

I also know that whatever the reason why they are homeless, these people are in need and their lives are in danger. Fortunately in Rugby we have Hope 4, a voluntary organization which is aiming to help homeless people in every way they can through soup kitchens and hopefully eventually a drop in centre where the homeless may be given a chance to get advice and help. This work is beginning because of the ‘sheepish’ attitudes of christians in our town who have compassion on those who have no home. They are always in need of volunteers and funding.

It is useful to remember that during his earthly ministry Jesus was deliberately homeless. He depended on the goodwill of His followers.

What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds."
Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. James 2:14-18 NIV