Starting a Homeless Ministry is one of the simplest, easiest and most
rewarding ministries to have. Every church should have an outreach ministry
to the homeless in their local community. It is churches, and not the
government, who ought to be helping the needy.
The Lord asks Christian
believers to help the poor, visit the prisoners and reach the lost with the
Gospel. It is our responsibility. Although we can't help everybody, we can
certainly help somebody in the Lord.
There are many different ways to
help the homeless, ranging from simply providing them with a free
packaged-meal and some Gospel literature, to going as far as providing a
shelter for them to temporarily lodge for the night to escape the brutal
cold. I would definitely recommend giving out blankets, gloves, hats and
warm clothing during the winter months.
All across the United States drugs
have become a major epidemic problem, destroying lives and families. At the
beginning of each month when people get their government welfare check, they
spend it to buy heroine, cocaine and Fentanyl to feed their drug habit.
Albeit, there is a much deeper cause of the problem, indicting wealthy elite
families, corrupt politicians and greedy corporate executives.
America's Economic Woes Are Not That Hard To Figure Out. The criminal
Federal Reserve Banking System in the U.S. since 1913 is just like the
children's game called Musical Chairs, who know full well that
millions of Americans at the end of their
rigged economic game won't have a job, a home, health insurance, nor be
able to support themselves anymore. Americans simply cannot afford to live
anymore due to the economic fraud of greedy ungodly men and women who
control our nation's money supply.
The only answer is free-market!
Project Unity: Homelessness In
New York | California
- The Bankrupt State
The Rise Of Fentanyl Drug
Addiction (You cannot get
high twice if you don't get
high once!)
It is heartbreaking to see someone
living in a cardboard box in an alley as a makeshift home. It is common in
big cities to see the homeless living down in the subways, away from the
chilling winter winds, or sleeping on heated sidewalk air vents from nearby
skyscrapers. The homeless are often shunned, despised and inhumanly treated
by business owners. They are often beaten, bullied and robbed. Where are the
poor to go?
BIBLICAL MANDATE TO HELP
THE POOR
“But whoso hath this
world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his
bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?”
—1st John 3:17
Homeless people are dear to the
heart of God. Most people today are selfish, having a nice place to live,
and only think about themselves. As Christians, we ought to be different
from the unsaved world, exemplifying the Lord in our daily lives. The Bible
teaches us in Philippians 2:4-5 . . . “Look not every man on his own
things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be
in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” Jesus was always thinking about
helping OTHERS, which is what Philippians 2:4-5 says we are to do also. We
ought to constantly look for opportunities to do things to help those in
need. The hallmark character trait of being a Christian is genuine concern
for others.
“Blessed is he that
considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble”
(Psalm 41:1).
“Defend the poor and
fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy” (Psalm 82:3).
“Deliver the poor and needy:
rid them out of the hand of the wicked” (Psalm 82:4).
“He that oppresseth the poor
reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor”
(Proverb:14:31).
“Open thy mouth, judge
righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy” (Proverb:31:9).
These are just a few of the
multitudes of Scriptures that command us to help the poor and needy.
Make Christmas A Special Time
Of Helping The Homeless
SOULWINNING AND THE POOR
Helping the homeless must
NEVER take precedence over preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ . . . “And
though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body
to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing ...
Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth” (1st
Corinthians 13:3,6). The word “charity” here means LOVE. 1st
Corinthians 13:6 tells us that genuine Biblical LOVE rejoices in THE
TRUTH.
Sadly, many apostate religious groups today such as the
Salvation Army have compromised their convictions, spending most of
their time helping the needy at the expense of preaching the truth. What
does it matter if we feed the hungry, cloth the naked and shelter the
homeless if they die and go to Hell because we failed to preach the
Gospel to them? I wouldn't give you a dime for any ministry that is not
aggressively preaching the Gospel and placing the truth of God's Word at
the forefront of their ministerial efforts. This is critically
important.
“Hearken, my beloved brethren,
Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of
the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?” (James 2:5).
“And the lord said unto the
servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come
in, that my house may be filled” (Luke 14:23).
Soulwinning is every believer's
duty. There is no calling to be a soul-winner. It is a command for every
believer. God said in Luke 14:23 that He wants His house “filled.”
The Bible commissions us to “Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel
them to come in.” One of the biggest problems with most churches today is
that they meet behind closed doors a few times a month, but never obey the
Lord's command to “Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to
come in.” Many churches operate more like a secret occult organization than
they do a New Testament church. What behind those church walls? How will
people know if you don't have outreach ministries?
If we are to obey the Lord's
command to “Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come
in,” then we must “Go out.” This means putting forth a conscious effort to
reach the lost for Christ. In Acts 20:20 (often referred to as the
soulwinner's 20/20 vision) the Apostle Paul went soulwinning HOUSE-TO-HOUSE
publicly . . . “And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you,
but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to
house.” That is God's method of winning souls—public evangelism.
SAFETY
The foremost concern when dealing
with the homeless should always be your own safety. It is a matter of common
sense. ALWAYS have someone with you if possible. It is unwise to minister alone in
today's society. I have discovered that some people on the streets are
mentally-ill. Whereas in the old days the mentally-ill were kept in mental
institutions, now their families dump then on the streets and they collect
social security or veteran's benefits.
Some have epileptic attacks and
serious health issues. Others are psychotic and schizophrenic. They can't
function in society and so they end up the outcasts, rejects and unwanted on
the streets. Some are drug-addicts and alcoholics.
Many of the homeless, especially
alcoholics, freeze to death in colder climates. The alcohol fools the
body—making you feel warm while helping the freezing process. Some are
medicated. Hundreds live in the storm drains under the billion-dollar Las
Vegas casinos. Yet, they need to know that God loves them. They are troubled
in their souls. Can you imagine wheeling everything you own in the world
down the street in a basket cart? They are people whom Christ died for.
Everyone is somebody's son or daughter.
This documentary is heartbreaking
about the elderly and poor living in cages in China...
Chinese Elderly And
Families Survive In Cages In Hong Kong (they're called 'coffin
dwellers')
It's also recommended to minister
in the daytime only, preferably in known areas where homeless people reside.
Personal safety must always come first. That's one of the reasons why the
Lord told us to go in pairs I believe. It might be helpful to speak with other ministries in the area. Never trespass on private property or enter into secluded
areas that may compromise your safety.
Also, be aware of the reputation
of the neighborhood you're in. Every major city has certain areas that are
just too dangerous for ladies and children to enter into. Avoid high crime
areas. If you do enter into such areas, keep in mind that there's more
safety in numbers. The goal is to reach the poor for Christ and meet some of
their basic necessities without getting mugged in the process.
If you meet a homeless person who
you feel needs medical attention, call 911 for them. It's not recommended to
let them ride in your own vehicle, unless you have a partner with you.
However, even
if you have a ministry partner, NEVER allow someone of the opposite sex to
enter into your vehicle. You can't be too careful these days. The Bible
admonishes us to be careful . . .
“A prudent man foreseeth the
evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished” (Proverb 22:3).
“Abstain from all appearance
of evil” (1st Thessalonians 5:22).
Also, it's never wise to wear
expensive jewelry or watches when in public.
If you come across any stray dogs
that look threatening, reach down as if you are going to pick up a rock.
This scars away nearly all dogs. It really works. I guess they know from
experience.
Matthew 25:35, “For I
was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I
was thirsty, and ye gave me
drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in.”
FOOD MANAGER'S LICENSE IS NEEDED
TO PREPARE MEALS FOR HOMELESS
Without a food manager's license,
you cannot legally prepare homemade food for the homeless (which I think is
absolutely ridiculous). Most mid-to-bigger-sized cities don't care if the
poor die on the streets. We've lost our sanity and compassion in America. If
the city doesn't do anything and someone gets sick, then lawyers sue the
city for not doing anything. It's greedy lawyers who are the problem,
looking for anyone with deep pockets to sue. Lawyers are the scum of society
and have ruined America. Numerous books have been written on the subject,
including THE CASE AGAINST LAWYERS by Katherine Crier.
Americans are forced to hire greedy lawyers by a rigged and evil court
system, and then people are expected to appreciate being bilked and
financially ravished.
Lawyers are like bank robbers who
return a small portion of the money to the bank, so they can feel honest
about themselves. There's nothing honest about lawyers nor the corrupt legal
system in America. The reason why poor people are dying on the streets and
people can't feed them without lots of bureaucracy is because of greedy
lawyers. If there's a group of people that Isaiah 5:14 applies to (hell hath
enlarged herself), it's for attorneys. It was the same in Bible times. Jesus
said, “Woe unto ye lawyers!” (Luke 11:46). You can tell when a lawyer is
lying if his lips are moving.
WHAT TO GIVE THE HOMELESS
I RARELY give more than a dollar
or so to people who ask; but I often give $10 to $20 and food to poor
looking folks who don't ask. If they are asking me, I don't know if they're
sincere or not; but if I'm offering something to them, and they're not
asking, then I know they're sincere. I look for homeless people everywhere I
go and keep a stack of
The Gospel of John in my car to give them with some money inside.
Homeless people are dear to the heart of God.
A lot of people condemn giving
money to the poor on the basis that they'll go buy alcohol or that they're
insincere. That's why I choose who I give money to instead of waiting for
them to come to me. When people ask for money, I keep spare change in my
pocket and give them a little change, but it's less than a dollar. They
thank me. However, when I see a poor person and I choose to give them money,
I make it $20 and a Gospel of John. That's how I do it. Unless I suspect
alcohol or drugs, I generally always give people something, even if it's a
quarter when they ask.
It's good to get into the habit of
giving. When I was younger I didn't care enough to look for homeless people
to help. And I hardly ever gave anything to people who asked, because I
thought they were all bums. As I've grown older I've realized that, except
it were for the grace of God, I'd be homeless myself. I may be homeless
tomorrow. I don't know. I heard someone say that their future is so bright
they have to wear sunglass. I replied that my future is so grim that I have
to wear night-vision goggles. I live in agonizing pain 24/7 because of disk
problems in my neck. The surgery failed to help in the least. People don't
understand why I'm so miserable. As I once heard the saying, “Life is what happens to
you when you're making big plans.” So true! I've never loved homeless people so much.
There's nothing in this world that I need
or want, just give me Jesus.
When I was in West Los Angeles,
California for my neck surgery in 2009, I gave a little change away to a man
who asked for some money, and then I didn't have enough change to ride the
bus. I was 25 cents short. I was mad at myself because I had to walk quite a
distance to get more change. But you know, I'd rather be this way than a
greedy person who never gives anything to anyone and dies a miserable
person. My reward is in Heaven. I plan to keep giving, that is, after I get on the
bus (lol). My Bible says you CANNOT serve God and mammon (wealth). It's
impossible. The difference between the two mindsets is staggering!
I knew a couple that were so money-hungry that
they wouldn't even leave a nice tip after a meal. They are consumed with
making their next dollar. The are jealous of anyone who has anything,
because they want it all. It's so sad and sinful. Their minds are clouded
with the love of money. Every dollar counts to them and they dare not let
one escape. My afflictions have changed my entire view of life and
everything. Money means absolutely nothing to me.
The mind who loves God is vastly different from
the mind that only loves wealth, pleasures and the cares of this world.
Jesus warned about these hindrances to soul-winning in Luke 8:14-15. People
who care about money DON'T care about the things of Jesus Christ
(Philippians 2:4-5, 20-21). My afflictions are a blessing from the Lord in that
they humble me daily (Psalm 119:67, 71). I just have to be careful not to allow my sufferings
to overwhelm me with grief and depression. I have a ministry of suffering.
Blessed be the name of the Lord.
If I see a homeless person and can
afford it, I usually give them $10
to $20 inside a
Gospel Booklet of John (these are T.C. Horton editions of the
Gospel of John, which contain much helpful information for soul-winners. T.C. Horton was a
faithful Bible teacher at Moody Bible Institute in the early years
before they went neo-evangelical.
I also love to pass out the small
booklet,
'SALVATION
PLAIN AND SIMPLE'
by Dr. Curtis Hutson. They come in packs of 50 for around $3.50
(ISBN 0-87398-803-5)from
The Sword Of The Lord (ISBN: 0-87398-803-5) in Tennessee.
I have a few of the originals from 1922. These
Gospels of John are a homeless person's best friend. They mean everything to
a person who has nothing.)
It is best not to give money to the homeless
if they are in an area known for crime,
and you think they may be at risk, it just makes them more vulnerable to be robbed.
Unfortunately, some of them
will spend the money on alcohol. If I see an alcohol bottle or smell liquor,
then I don't give them any money. I don't want to add to their problems.
Alcohol is dangerous. Tragically, many homeless people freeze to
death during the winter months. The alcohol makes them feel warm, even
though they are freezing to death, and they die. Each situation is different
and unique. I knew personally of two different men in Chicago who died this
way. I hate booze!
Consider what items you
would likely need if you were homeless. It's a good idea to assemble some
basic necessity gift packages, containing perhaps some of the following items:
-
New Testament Bible (the
Gospel of John would be ideal)
-
doctrinally sound Gospel
literature (which use only the King James Bible)
-
gloves, socks, earmuffs, scarf
and blanket (during winter)
-
Vienna hotdogs in a can
(with easy open lid)
-
pre-cooked, easy-open foods
-
Soft snack foods (many of the
homeless have dental problems)
-
Snackables (cheese and
crackers)
-
bottled water
-
today's newspaper
-
fresh fruit, nuts, a few
pieces of wrapped candy
-
comb, nail-clippers
-
A couple small packs of Advil
-
tissues, handy-wipes
-
chapstick or lip-balm
-
hand-lotion for dry-skin
-
toothpaste and toothbrush
-
McDonalds gift certificates
-
Addresses and phone numbers of
nearest helpful shelters (enclose $1 in change for phone calls)
-
Addresses and phone numbers of
nearest caring and doctrinally sound churches
-
a handwritten note of kindness
(it may simply be a brief note; e.g., “given in Jesus' name”)
-
It's helpful to place all
these items in some type of cloth carrying pack that they can continue
using.
-
a small pillow (“...the Son
of man hath not where to lay his head,” Matthew 8:20) . . .
“He
that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but
he that
honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.” —Proverb 14:31
“And of some
have compassion, making a difference.” —Jude 22
