The Homeless and Street Performers
(From 8-30-14)
Today we went into city centre. I'll spare you all the boring details of the day and just skip to the part I actually care to remember.
Denae had bought a pizza and had 3 pieces left. She was being chased by bees because of it, so she gave me her leftovers. I opened it up and got a piece out to eat as we walked toward city centre. Not long after I had started eating, I saw a man and he asked us for spare change. Without really even thinking, I said, "Do you want some pizza?"to which his reply was, "Sure, I'll have a little bit." So I gave him the box, a simple gesture on my part. The pizza wasn't even mine to begin with. It was given to me and if I wouldn't have eaten it, it would have been thrown in the litter (that's what they call trash here). We continued along and Denae and Kristin were complimenting me saying, "Wow, you're such a good person." I replied in a joking manner saying, "Jesus died for me. I think I can give a homeless man 2 pieces of pizza!": a statement that sounds funny and out of proportion, but speaks volumes of truth. You see, just like the pizza, my life wasn't really mine to begin with; it was given to me as a gift. So why shouldn't I share gifts with others, especially if I have been given the same gift? A lot of times, I feel like I can't really identify with the people on the side of the road begging for money. But considering God and putting things into perspective, maybe I have more in common with this man than I previously thought.
Walking on toward city centre, we witnessed about 6 street musicians today. It was awesome. I got some great pictures and videos out of them. But I can't help but see a correlation between these street performers and the homeless man. Both of these types of people are doing the same thing: asking for money. They are just going about it in different ways because they come from different situations. The street performers asked for money but had something to give in return. They had something to offer. For some music, a little entertainment, a bit of happiness, and a good photo op, they just asked for one thing in return: a little change. Who knows if they actually need it or not. These street performers aren't even really asking for money directly. No words are saying, "Can I have some spare change, ladies?" only an instrument case lying open in front of them. On the other hand, the homeless man has nothing to offer us. He is stinky, in the way, and a bit of a nuisance. But he is ASKING for money and it is obvious that he NEEDS it. He cannot do anything in return for us. So my question is, which of these two do I want to give my money to? I have to answer honestly and say I would rather give it to someone who can give me something in return, which is what I did (not counting the pizza). It is so much more appealing to give to someone who you know can give you something in return. But this is not what we are commanded or called to do. We are told to give without expecting anything in return (Luke 6:35). That's a hard thing to do, especially when you're an American studying in Europe trying to save as many pence and pounds as possible so you're not broke when you get back to the states. So now, every day when I walk past the homeless people asking for money and the street performers playing their instruments with their cases opened, I am faced with a choice. And I am still trying to figure out what the right answer is.
I am thankful for a God who is patient enough to walk with me as I search for the right answers.
Today we went into city centre. I'll spare you all the boring details of the day and just skip to the part I actually care to remember.
Denae had bought a pizza and had 3 pieces left. She was being chased by bees because of it, so she gave me her leftovers. I opened it up and got a piece out to eat as we walked toward city centre. Not long after I had started eating, I saw a man and he asked us for spare change. Without really even thinking, I said, "Do you want some pizza?"to which his reply was, "Sure, I'll have a little bit." So I gave him the box, a simple gesture on my part. The pizza wasn't even mine to begin with. It was given to me and if I wouldn't have eaten it, it would have been thrown in the litter (that's what they call trash here). We continued along and Denae and Kristin were complimenting me saying, "Wow, you're such a good person." I replied in a joking manner saying, "Jesus died for me. I think I can give a homeless man 2 pieces of pizza!": a statement that sounds funny and out of proportion, but speaks volumes of truth. You see, just like the pizza, my life wasn't really mine to begin with; it was given to me as a gift. So why shouldn't I share gifts with others, especially if I have been given the same gift? A lot of times, I feel like I can't really identify with the people on the side of the road begging for money. But considering God and putting things into perspective, maybe I have more in common with this man than I previously thought.
Walking on toward city centre, we witnessed about 6 street musicians today. It was awesome. I got some great pictures and videos out of them. But I can't help but see a correlation between these street performers and the homeless man. Both of these types of people are doing the same thing: asking for money. They are just going about it in different ways because they come from different situations. The street performers asked for money but had something to give in return. They had something to offer. For some music, a little entertainment, a bit of happiness, and a good photo op, they just asked for one thing in return: a little change. Who knows if they actually need it or not. These street performers aren't even really asking for money directly. No words are saying, "Can I have some spare change, ladies?" only an instrument case lying open in front of them. On the other hand, the homeless man has nothing to offer us. He is stinky, in the way, and a bit of a nuisance. But he is ASKING for money and it is obvious that he NEEDS it. He cannot do anything in return for us. So my question is, which of these two do I want to give my money to? I have to answer honestly and say I would rather give it to someone who can give me something in return, which is what I did (not counting the pizza). It is so much more appealing to give to someone who you know can give you something in return. But this is not what we are commanded or called to do. We are told to give without expecting anything in return (Luke 6:35). That's a hard thing to do, especially when you're an American studying in Europe trying to save as many pence and pounds as possible so you're not broke when you get back to the states. So now, every day when I walk past the homeless people asking for money and the street performers playing their instruments with their cases opened, I am faced with a choice. And I am still trying to figure out what the right answer is.
I am thankful for a God who is patient enough to walk with me as I search for the right answers.
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