Last fall when the housing crisis became known, a group of us decided to pool our money to help people within our sphere of influence who might have tough times. We believed it was our responsibility, and in fact our joy, to be there for them. We didn’t know at that time, nor do we know now, how bad things might get, but we wanted to equip ourselves to help in any way that God might supply.
Our first opportunity came with a family that one person of our group knew whose husband and father is out of work. We were able to buy that family a month’s worth of groceries. It’s a small thing, maybe, especially in view of the fact that the family is losing its home. But even at that, a month’s worth of groceries can take care of one concern so the family can concentrate on their other concerns, including what to do about housing.
What if unemployment hit 10%? If ten of us each put into the pool 10% of our income, we’d be able to fully help 1 unemployed wage-earner within our sphere of influence. Ten of us fully helping one family covers that 10% unemployment rate.
There’s a lot of controversy as to whether the government stimulus plans will actually help families. Regardless of whether you think they will or they won’t, the quickest and most immediate help comes from you and me. I have some specific ideas that I ask you to consider.
1. I’m suggesting you help people directly within your sphere of
influence. I’m not suggesting you become some sort of relief
organization helping everybody who comes along looking for a
handout. If you contribute to relief organizations or churches
that have relief outreaches, that’s great, and in fact such
organizations need the support. But my suggestion here is
direct person-to-person help, not just throwing money at
something through contributions and becoming self-satisfied. If
the recession deepens, or if it becomes a depression, every
one of us will personally know people who are adversely
affected. It’s these people who we know and have
relationships with that we should be prepared to directly help.
