He was back tonight. In the middle of stirring the potato and ham soup on the stove, I heard the knock: It was the young teen with the spiky blond dreads, waiting at our door.
“Hi, can I have a ride again? This time it’s just down the road.”
I hurried to the stairs and yelled up to John, “The young guy’s back. Needs a ride. Says it’s closer this time.”
John was upstairs resting a little before dinner was served. But I heard his, “Okay.” and the rustling of the bed as he climbed out to come downstairs to once again serve this young man.
I invited the young man to come inside out of the icy rain while we waited for John to appear.
And John quickly made his way down the stairs, grabbed his wallet and keys, put on his shoes, and greeted the young man. No groan. No complaint. Just pleasant words and a smile. And off they went.
This is at least the third, maybe fourth time this young man has stopped by for a ride after he finished playing hoops at the YMCA. If he plays too long, he misses the bus and then has to walk home, which is a couple mile hike through the city. Tonight he must have played too long.
My husband often gives people rides. To serve in an urban church as a car owner, often means we also serve as transportation to and from church….and sometimes to the bus depot….or the doctor, etc. There have been times I’ve gotten frustrated by all the persistent asks, but most of the time I’m good. And I’m reminded that I can spare that $10 bill or the time it takes to take a friend home. Compassion. Generosity. These are lifestyle choices I want my children to emulate. Not just so they grow to be good people, but because Jesus told us to give when we are asked (and we have it to give). Being generous is a Kingdom value. Our King modeled extravagant generosity and compassion, and I should, too. But generosity and compassion is not always my desire; I don’t wake up imagining how I can bend over backwards for people. I usually wake up thinking about me and my family. During this process of being conformed into Christ’s image, compassion and generosity can often feel awkward, irritating, and unnatural. So until that point where I look and smell and sound like Jesus and living this holy life becomes easy (does that ever happen?), I still have to choose to be compassionate and generous.
Now there have been times we’ve had to stop giving when someone began to take advantage of our kindness. (We are not an ATM…) And we always try and direct people to ministries that can help people in ways our family budget is not equipped to help them.
Years ago, I remember my husband John teaching on the three areas of giving in the Old Testament: Tithes, Offerings, and Alms. I grew up with a healthy understanding of the tithe (giving 10% of our income to the Lord) and offerings (above and beyond the 10%, i.e. giving to missions, other ministry projects, hurricane relief, etc.). However, it was in that message I learned how giving alms [to the poor] was a command of scripture to the Hebrews. Giving to the poor was not optional, it was a command that allowed the poor to be helped and served in their communities. Giving to the poor without a begrudging heart allows the Lord to bless us in all our work and in everything we put our hand to (Deut. 15). Eye-opening to say the least!
In fact, in Ezekiel 16, the city of Sodom brought judgment upon itself partially because of ignoring the poor and needy. In Acts 10, Cornelius’s prayers and gifts to the poor ascended before the throne of God as a memorial offering. A gentile’s consistent generosity and fervent prayers caught Yahweh’s attention to the point that he sent Peter, a Jewish believer, to share the gospel to Cornelius and his entire family. Generosity and compassion weigh heavily before the Lord.
I’m still learning. Still growing. And my attitude in the moment does not always reveal the kindness of God. Here’s a prayer I pray almost every morning with my kids as I drive them to school, “Help us, Lord, to love as You love, see people as You see people, and serve them as You would serve them. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”
Hold on, let me grab my keys….
Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord,
and he will reward them for what they have done. Proverbs 19:17
