More than two and a half years ago, I picked up all my belongings, my wife, 4 birds, and a dog and set out on our westward trek. We moved from a relatively small city to a large city and were "thrown into the gauntlet" so to speak on big-city life. Our second day in the Salt Lake City area, we were "greeted" by a person asking for spare change. The person looked down in their luck, so we obliged and gave a few dollars to her.


What was the eye-opener for us was that after a couple of months (and now continuing to be years), that same person is still at that exact same spot asking for spare change. There are many around here that hold up signs asking for money because they are out of work, can't pay their upcoming rent and face eviction. All of these are heart-wrenching situations. But, like the lady asking for spare change, they continue to be at their "spot" with the same sign they they were showing weeks or months ago when I last encountered them. They are commonly called pan-handlers around here. So, was I taken advantage of when I gave my few spare dollars to the lady asking for change? It's all in the attitude of the giver, in my opinion.


As a test, what would be YOUR very first thought that popped into your head if you were encountered by a person like the lady? Would you:
  • Give what spare change you had?
  • Help them in other ways?
  • Get upset with them because of what you perceive they are?
  • Think to yourself, "get a job you bum"?
  • Totally avoid them altogether?
  • Other?
If we are to be more Christ-like with our fellow brothers and sisters on this earth, we need to see what He has done:
"And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou Son of David.
And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you?
They say unto him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened.
So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him. - Matthew 20:30,32-34)"

Jesus exhibits one of His greatest characteristics; compassion. Compassion is the emotion that we feel in response to the suffering of others that motivates a desire to help (Wikipedia). I will admit, that when I first moved here and encountered the person asking for spare change, I felt compassion, but the more I saw the same person, my feelings changed. 

I've mentioned many times before that all who have lived, all they who now live, and all who will yet come to this earth are our brothers and sisters. We all raised our arm to the square in support of our Heavenly Father's plan of happiness for all His children. If we look it in this light, then should we not show compassion to all?

However, my example earlier does not mean consistently giving our money away, but we can be polite. We can help them by giving them common courtesy. Maybe even a handshake or a hug. I believe that one can find the true attitude of others through friendly, non-confrontational, non-judgement transferred by a handshake or hug. It seems to break barriers. Besides, we never know who may be truly in need versus those that are not, but it is not for us to judge. But it for us to help lift each other, and bear one another's burdens. 



Savior, may I learn to love thee,

Walk the path that thou hast shown,

Pause to help and lift another,

Finding strength beyond my own.

Savior, may I learn to love thee—

Lord, I would follow thee.

Who am I to judge another

When I walk imperfectly?

In the quiet heart is hidden

Sorrow that the eye can’t see.

Who am I to judge another?

Lord, I would follow thee.

I would be my brother’s keeper;

I would learn the healer’s art.

To the wounded and the weary

I would show a gentle heart.

I would be my brother’s keeper—

Lord, I would follow thee.

Savior, may I love my brother

As I know thou lovest me,

Find in thee my strength, my beacon,

For thy servant I would be.

Savior, may I love my brother—

Lord, I would follow thee.

Hymn 220

I have a long way to go in this area. But I acknowledge my weakness and it is a regular topic of discussion with my Father in Heaven. I will strive to remember this especially this weekend of General Conference where the needy, as well as those who oppose this church will be out canvassing. As I do pass by those who do appear needy, I will reach in my pockets. If I have spare change, I will willingly give it. It's just spare change, not my right arm. And I will remember the scripture as I do this:

"... If ye have done it to the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto me"


Continue reading at the original source →