My active Marine son and I were driving in downtown San Diego on a hot sunny day. The car windows were down and I was enjoying a visit on the west coast.

“Hey Joe!” a homeless guy hollered from the street, pushing a shopping cart overflowing with his possessions. “Hi Joe,” another guy waved from the curb, dressed in dirty, tattered clothing. I thought it was a coincidence because “Joe” is a common name. But then a homeless woman waved and I heard her shout, “Joe!” as we waited at a stop light.

How in the world did these people know my son?? “Joe,” I asked, “how do they know your name?” He replied, “On the weekends, I buy a pizza and share it with whoever I run into. I sit with them and listen. You’d be surprised at the things they talk about.”

Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you did it to Me.’ Matthew 25:35-40 (ESV)

Heavenly Father, O that I would have this same attitude toward others! Help me to step out of myself and my fear and love my neighbor generously and compassionately. Amen.

It is possible to give away and become richer! It is also possible to hold on too tightly and lose everything. Yes, the liberal man shall be rich! By watering others, he waters himself. Proverbs 11:24-25 (ESV)