November 24
A Question of
Compassion
“Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done.”
Proverbs 19:17 (NIrV)
Jackson had never paid much attention to the homeless. Every day, on his way to work, he passed them: the men and women sitting on the street corners, wrapped in blankets, holding signs that read, "Hungry. Please Help." His eyes would always avoid them as he hurried past, too busy with his own life, too consumed by his responsibilities. To him, it was just another part of the city—something to ignore.
That day, though, was different. He was walking with his wife, Quinn, after a long afternoon of shopping. As they strolled past a busy street corner, a man sitting against the wall caught Quinn’s attention. His face was weathered and tired, and he held a sign that read, “Hungry. Please Help.”
Without a word, Quinn stopped and fumbled through her purse. She pulled out a few coins and dropped them into the man's worn hat. Jackson glanced at her, his eyes narrowing. He could already feel the words bubbling up inside him.
As they walked away, Jackson couldn’t keep silent anymore. “Why do you do that?” he asked, his voice tinged with frustration. “You know he’s just going to spend it on beer or cigarettes. What’s the point? Maybe he isn’t even really homeless. He probably has a house, a car, and just does this for a job.” His voice was rising now, each word tinged with irritation.
Quinn stayed quiet for a moment, then sighed. “Maybe you’re right. Maybe he’ll spend it on something that isn’t food. But maybe, just maybe, he really is hungry. Maybe he really is in need, and that few coins might help him get something to eat.”
Jackson shook his head. “We could just give to a charity, right? They’ll use the money wisely. They know what they’re doing.” His voice was sharp, but there was uncertainty in his eyes. He wanted to believe what he was saying, but something was gnawing at him, a feeling he couldn’t shake.
Quinn stopped walking, turning to face her husband. “Jackson, we can’t control what he does with the money, but we can choose to show kindness. We can choose to care. And even if it’s just a small gesture, it could make a difference in his life.”
Jackson was silent. He wanted to argue more, but her words had struck him harder than he wanted to admit. He wasn’t used to questioning his own beliefs, but in that moment, he felt convicted. The truth was, he had never stopped long enough to truly consider the reality of what these people were going through.
As they continued walking, Jackson couldn’t shake the image of the man’s tired eyes. He imagined himself sitting there, on the cold concrete, holding that sign, hoping for a kind soul to stop and help. The weight of that image weighed heavily on him.
Later that night, as Jackson lay in bed, he found himself staring at the ceiling, wrestling with his thoughts. He was still unsure whether giving a few coins was truly the right thing to do. But one thing became clear: his heart was hardened, and that troubled him.
He grabbed his Bible from the bedside table and flipped to Proverbs 19:17, reading the verse slowly: “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done.”
Jackson paused. The words felt different tonight. It wasn’t just about giving money—it was about the heart behind it. It was about showing kindness, showing compassion, and trusting that God would honor that. Maybe he didn’t need to control the outcome. Maybe God was calling him to open his heart to people in need, just as God had shown him mercy and grace in his own life.
The next morning, as Jackson drove to work, he passed the same street corner. The man was still there, sitting on the sidewalk with his sign. Jackson’s heart had softened overnight, and without a second thought, he pulled over. He rolled down the window and handed the man a few dollars.
The man’s tired eyes met his, and for a moment, Jackson saw more than just a stranger in need. He saw a person, someone created by God, deserving of compassion. The man gave a nod of thanks, and Jackson drove away, feeling something in his soul shift. It wasn’t about whether the man used the money wisely—it was about showing love and kindness, without judgment.
Prayer:
Dear God,
I confess that I often close my heart to the needs around me.
I judge others based on what I see, and I forget that You are the One who knows their true needs.
Help me to have a heart of compassion, to show kindness without hesitation, and to trust You with the outcome.
Thank You for Your grace, and help me to reflect that same grace in my actions toward others.
Teach me to be generous, not just with my resources, but with my time, my heart, and my love.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
