Ministerial Musings: "What Can You Spare?"

“Excuse me, sir.  Do you have any spare change?”

I looked at the disheveled man, who was waiting for a bus on the corner of West 14th and Starkweather, and said, “No, I’m sorry, but I don’t have any money on me.”  (Suffice it to say, I did have money.  I just had to go to the ATM around the corner to get it.)

His plea for assistance, however paltry, reminded me of “the code” by which an old mentor, colleague, and friend of mine lives.  She dedicates money to charitable causes that help the poor and the homeless, because at least she knows that her contribution will be used responsibly.  She knows it will be spent on food and clothing, not drugs and alcohol.

It’s true.  Some of the money that those who are down on their luck collect supports addictions, which, in some cases, led to their plight.  But, I bet that many of them are looking for a bite to eat, too.

Who am I to judge?  The last time I checked, that was someone else’s job.

Furthermore, wasn’t it Jesus who told us “Give to everyone who begs from you” (Luke 6:30, NRSV).  He did not qualify it.  He said everyone, not some.

Yes, I think it is important to give to humanitarian organizations that help the less fortunate, but it is just as important to give to the less fortunate ourselves.  Why?  I can think of three reasons right off the top of my head:

(1)  it shows them that they are not alone;

(2)  it lets them know that compassion still exists in the hearts of ordinary people; and

(3)  it enables us to connect with the hungry and the homeless, rather than maintaining a safe distance (as most of us usually do).

I know, I know.  I am a bleeding heart liberal.  Maybe so.  But I am a bit concerned about what God might ask me on judgment day.  Actually, he/she already asked me the other day.

“Excuse me, sir.  Do you have any spare change?”

The Rev. John Tamilio III is the Religion columnist for The Lakewood Observer and the Senior Pastor of Pilgrim Congregational United Church of Christ in Tremont.  He and his wife, Susan, live in Lakewood with their three children.

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Volume 5, Issue 19, Posted 9:31 PM, 09.23.2009