People who need shelter often have many other issues to solve. Jesus proposes a radical response to a neighbor who needs help:
The man asked, “Who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied, “A man was going from Jerusalem to Jericho who was stripped, beaten and left half dead by robbers. A priest and a Levite man passed by him, on the other side of the road. But a Samaritan who was on a journey came upon him and when he saw him, he felt compassion and bandaged his wounds. He put him on his own animal and took him to an inn and took care of him. On the next day he gave two days’ wages to the innkeeper and said, “Take care of him and whatever more you spend, when I return, I will repay you.” Who proved to be a neighbor? From Luke 10: 29-36
Not only did the Good Samaritan bandage the wounds of the man he found on the highway, but he paid for the man’s shelter and spent the night taking care of him. This was extraordinary care from a man who was an outcast himself. The Samaritans were not viewed as true Jews by anyone from Jerusalem.
What would you have done if this situation happened to you as you were traveling for work or vacation? Judged that the man probably deserved it? Passed him by because the beaten man might have brought danger to you? Called 911 from your car?
Calling someone a neighbor implies they live near you, but Jesus expanded that meaning to include anyone you come across. All people are neighbors to God, and as a child of God ourselves, all people are neighbors to us.
This is a heavy story, not only for us, but for those who find themselves on the side of the road, beaten, hungry and in need of care and shelter. Homelessness is a complicated and heavy burden on all of us. So many churches, government agencies and good neighbor associations are at a loss how to support those who have no home or are inclined to wander away. Prevention seems illusive, sustaining homelessness seems contrary and re-homing or rapid re-housing doesn’t always work. (For more detailed information, check endhomelessness.org.)
Providing shelter for someone might be a tall order. I have a split-suite home and have often prayed if God would want me to share that with someone I encounter that needs shelter. So far, I have rented it for a few months to help someone out, and allowed some needy friends to stay a few days, but does He want more? I try to remain open to the Holy Spirit’s nudge.
I have my own “almost homeless” story … living in New York City in my younger years at the YMCA for $24/night with dwindling funds and no job, a man tried to force himself into my room. I was able to keep him out. I was down to less than $100 and I visited several $6/night sketchy boarding houses, thinking this was my only option. God heard my cry for help! That week I got a job and met a Good Samaritan named Lisa on the subway. She took me into her one-bedroom apartment with no deposit until I got paid at the end of my first month on the job. When she found out I was eating only bagels and drinking diet soda, another Good Samaritan I worked with, Carol, convinced my boss, Sarah, to advance me part of my pay (for which it turned out the company wouldn’t take repayment!). But there is a happy ending like this for only 60% of the homeless in America.
God may be calling you to provide extraordinary shelter, or plant smaller seeds that will grow into an appreciation for God’s love. Be a Good Samaritan in some way. Check out organizations or churches in your area that help the hurting homeless. Ask how you could help. Give some time. Give some money. Let the Holy Spirit nudge you.
What kind of sheltering might God lead you to give to or participate in?
O Lord, my Refuge, keep me under Your sheltering wing so that I may reach out to shelter others. Show me who and how, with Your courage. Amen.
happy hunger 
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