raining hard, no umbrella
Is what I instant-messaged my husband today at work. I had been looking out the window, anticipating walking to the shuttle in an hour, and now it was raining. Pedestrians scurried across streets and ducked under shop overhangs for refuge. Then he caught my eye. An older man in worn clothing sat on the sidewalk, leaning up against a building. He was sleeping, I think, head tilted. His legs stuck out from under the protection of the overhang, getting wet. And, he had no shoes on his feet. I watched curiously to see if the rain would wake him, or if someone would hand him an umbrella, a jacket. But nothing.
My thoughts drifted to Luke 3:11 "Whoever has two coats, let him give to him who has not".
The rain came down harder, as I turned back to my desk. I could give him my jacket, I thought. The light-weight suit coat keeps me warm in the summer, when the office is cold. There is a winter jacket hanging in my closet at home. I could use that one, instead.
Who gives the clothing off their back to a stranger on the street! No one I know does that. After all, I argue, I need this one for the summer. And, I work really hard for my money, and responsibly wait for the best sales to get the lowest price for my things. Exercising good stewardship is very important to me.
And therein lies the irony. So what if I use my money wisely to honor God ? It's already His. There must also be a blessing in giving sacrificially, or the Bible would not instruct us to do it. Acts 20:35 reads, "Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive."
Going back to my desk, I try to focus on the spreadsheet I want to finish before leaving work. But, just one more look out the window. I search the street. He is gone. My opportunity has passed. Or has it?
