Focus on Individuals, not Systems.

One thing that stands out in the Gospel stories of Jesus is how he focuses his efforts on individuals, not groups or systems.

We are not called to end poverty: we are called to love our neighbor. Of course, the eventual result of everyone loving their neighbor will end poverty, but that is not our focus. No, we are called to love individuals, just like Jesus did.

Loving individuals is much harder than writing a check to the Rescue Mission. It also goes a lot farther.

If you were really generous and had $1000 to give, you could give it to any number of charities that feed and help the homeless. It would no doubt be welcome and you would be helping to feed hundreds of folks… one meal. Or, you could help a family of four move into an apartment, get utilities and stay together. Same $1000, huge difference in results.

Give $500 to the mission and you buy 50 blankets that are absolutely needed, or you can buy a single mother a scooter so she can give up her dependence on the bus and get a better job. The difference is huge; one is solving problems, the other is putting a band aid on problems.

It works with smaller amounts as well: $50 will buy a bus ticket home for Christmas. $25 will buy a new pair of shoes or a new backpack. $10 will buy a hot meal at a sit down restaurant where “normal people” eat. $2 will buy a pack of wet wipes or a toothbrush and toothpaste.

I am NOT telling you to give a homeless man $10 so he can eat in a restaurant. I AM telling you to take a homeless man to dinner in a restaurant. Sit with him, eat with him. Learn his story and find out about him. Affirm his dignity, respect him as an individual. Build a relationship. After all, how can you love your neighbor if you do not know his name?

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