Yesterday, as I was stopping at a McDonald’s drive-through, I was approached by a young man. He had clearly been in the hot, African sun for a bit too long, and looked desperate and ashamed. His voice confirmed his shame…
He told me that he and some friends were in Cape Town for new year’s eve, and they had run out of money, and now couldn’t get back home (about 80 km from Cape Town). He wanted help.
I immediately thought of about 5 (good?) reasons not to help him. The main one? They blew their money partying and now wanted some of my limited resources to get them out of trouble. A close number two would be that my resources are limited, especially at present. However, I was buying my family some McDonald’s. And… isn’t three square meals all we need to be sustained in our quest to follow Jesus?
So… despite many possible reasons to act otherwise, I took out the equivalent of about $5 (US) and softly told him that I don’t have a problem with him asking. I said that Jesus loves him, just as he is. He thanked me profusely, told me how much that was going to help him, and then was gone. Out of my life, most probably forever.
I can already hear some of you thinking, “And now you’re bragging about this on the internet!” Well, that’s not the case. If anything, I should be ashamed for not driving him to his destination, or for giving him enough to get public transport there. I’ll get no reward for telling you that I did this, not even a mental boost. But I do get a chance to try and convince you that this is what it’s all about! And that’s my aim.
Generosity is at the very heart of our calling as followers of Jesus, and sometimes doing something small ($5 is not a lot of money!) for someone in dire need of help is exactly what’s required of us. And doing that to someone that deserves no help at all smacks a bit of the love Jesus gave us… to die for us and in-so-doing to pay the ultimate price for undeserving sinners.
As you start your new year, be on the lookout for an opportunity to help someone by being generous. Even if it is in a small way. That’s what following Jesus and loving others is all about!
