WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO

SOME BIBLICAL REFERENCES

Why Do We Do What We Do?

Key Quote: James 2, 14-17: “What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him ‘Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”

Other Quotes: Luke 15, 4-7; Colossians 3, 14; II Thessalonians 2, 16-17; I Timothy 1, 5.

What Should Be Our Attitude to the Poor?

Key Quote: II Corinthians 9, 6-9: “Remember this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: ‘He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures for ever.’”

Other Quotes: Proverbs 31, 8-9; Galatians 2, 10; James 2, 2-4; I John 3, 17.

How Should We Conduct Our Evangelism to the Homeless?

Key Quote: I Peter 3, 15: “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect....”

Other Quotes: Proverbs 11, 30; I Corinthians 2, 13.

Some Other Points for Reading and Reflection:

The true significance of the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10, 25-37), is not how hard-hearted the priest and the Levite were, but what excellent reasons they had for not stopping, because they feared that the man might be dead (see Leviticus 21, 1-4; 22, 4-9; Numbers 19, 11-22). How does this apply to how most people - indeed we ourselves - often react to the homeless, and what can we do about it? What can we learn from Jesus’ question and answer session with the Samaritan woman (John 4, 1-42) about the art of skilful and sensitive evangelism? And what about Paul’s address to the Athenians (Acts 17, 16-32 - NIV) as an example of how to deal with people of other beliefs? (If you want an example of how not to deal with people of other beliefs, read the King James version of the same passage!)

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