On this day many years ago, my late Mother
Mrs. Grace E. Santucci gave birth to me. April 1st has always been
a special time for me and although most of the
world celebrate this day as April Fools Day, I encourage you to look up
the history of the day.
Today on my birthday, I would like to
take out some time to bring awareness to some of my friends who don't
have a home to stay in, or job to make a living. Since 2009, Garden Ministry Devotionals has brought hope and encouragement to thousands of people world wide. But our devotional today is dedicated to those who are genuinely homeless and in need. But first let me ask the
question? What is homelessness and poverty? It is said that, "Homelessness
and poverty are inextricably linked. Poor people are frequently unable to pay
for housing, food, childcare, health care, and education. Difficult choices
must be made when limited resources cover only some of these necessities. Often
it is housing, which absorbs a high proportion of income that must be dropped.
If you are poor, you are essentially a paycheck away from living on the
streets."
Homelessness and poverty are
two of the unnoticed realities in the world today.
Infact if there was a homeless person standing outside your home every
day, or business, most people would call for the law enforcers to have
them removed. With the rise of people becoming homeless around the world
these days, it would be good to spend some time on this subject and how we
can help people in this state become self sufficient.
I believe with the help of the Lord and
people like you with graceful dignity, and simplicity, we can help the Homeless
and those in need. As you take a good look at the city in which you live, or
visit. You would quickly notice that many of the homeless persons this days
are young with able body's. The big question is, 1. "Why did they
ended up homeless and need to beg for money?" 2. Is there plenty of jobs
in the agriculture sectors, small scale restaurant, or other areas of society
in which a homeless person once helped can find a job? 3. Is there something
very wrong with the system that prevents some people from getting a job and yet
a small number of society depending on who you are able to find a job a dime a
dozen?
I am charged with a message to all upon whom
the light of truth has shone. We all, "are to labor patiently and
perseveringly for the thousands perishing in their sins, scattered in all lands
like wrecks on a desert shore. All who share in Christ’s glory must share in
His ministry, helping the poor, the weak, the homeless. We must be intensely in
earnest, using every capability in the Lord’s service" and society to
help the homeless and those in need. Precious results will surely follow
unselfish efforts made for the homeless and those in poverty.
Years ago I found a book in the trash at a
Dropbox in Bermuda that had a hole in it from front to the back, due
to a termite that ate it's way through this same book. The owner departed
with it and I found the book and still have it. It has this to say about those
in need, "Many who don't have any children of their own could do
a good work in caring for the children of others. Instead of giving attention
to pets, lavishing affection upon animals, let them give their attention to
little children, whose characters they may fashion after the divine similitude.
Place your love upon the homeless members of the human family. See how many of
these children you can bring up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Many
would thus be greatly benefited themselves." The Ministry of Healing, 203,
204
Today we have the wrong concept of what it
means to be our brothers keeper and caring for one another. Have we forgotten
that, "Money cannot buy peace of mind. It cannot heal ruptured
relationships, or build meaning into a life that has none." By Richard M.
DeVos
The Bible says, "Our Lord Jesus
Christ was rich, yet for our sake He became poor, that we through His poverty
might be rich." He bids all whom He has entrusted with temporal
blessings to follow His example. Jesus says, “Ye have the poor with you always,
and whensoever ye will ye may do them good.” The want and wretchedness in the
world are constantly appealing to our compassion and sympathy, and the Saviour
declares that ministry to the afflicted and suffering is the service most
pleasing to Him. “Is it not,” He says, “to deal thy bread to the hungry, and
that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the
naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own
flesh?” We are to minister to the sick, to feed the hungry, to clothe the
naked, and to instruct the ignorant.
There are many who complain of God because
the world is so full of want and suffering. But the Lord is a God of
benevolence, and through His representatives, to whom He has entrusted His
goods, He would have all the needs of His creatures supplied. He has made
abundant provision for the wants of all, and if men did not abuse His gifts,
and selfishly withhold them from their fellow men, none need suffer from want.
As humans, we have no right to think that
there is a limit to the efforts we make in the work of soul saving, or helping
the poor and needy. May we find our calling in helping someone in need today.
"Factors that help to increase poverty:
- Lack
of Employment Opportunities – With unemployment rates remaining high, jobs
are hard to find in the current economy. Even if people can find work,
this does not automatically provide an escape from poverty.
- Decline
in Available Public Assistance – The declining value and availability of public
assistance is another source of increasing poverty and homelessness and
many families leaving welfare struggle to get medical care, food, and
housing as a result of loss of benefits, low wages, and unstable
employment. Additionally, most states have not replaced the old welfare
system with an alternative that enables families and individuals to obtain
above-poverty employment and to sustain themselves when work is not
available or possible.
Factors that contribute to homelessness:
- Lack
of Affordable Health Care – For families and individuals struggling to pay
the rent, a serious illness or disability can start a downward spiral into
homelessness, beginning with a lost job, depletion of savings to pay for
care, and eventual eviction.
- Domestic
Violence –
Battered women who live in poverty are often forced to choose between
abusive relationships and homelessness. In addition, 50% of the cities
surveyed by the U.S. Conference of Mayors identified domestic violence as
a primary cause of homelessness (U.S. Conference of Mayors, 2005). (This
number has in some countries increased.)
- Mental
Illness –
Approximately 16% of the single adult homeless population suffers from
some form of severe and persistent mental illness (U.S. Conference of
Mayors, 2005). (This number will change in every country.)
- Addiction – The relationship between addiction and homelessness is complex and controversial. Many people who are addicted to alcohol and drugs never become homeless, but people who are poor and addicted are clearly at increased risk of homelessness." By National Coalition for the Homeless
If you know of anyway in which
you can help the homeless or those in need, send your comments to
myself, Chaplain Kevin Santucci at: TucciGardenMinistry@gmail.com
Go out and make a HOMELESS PERSON SMILE TODAY!
Go out and make a HOMELESS PERSON SMILE TODAY!
Please take a look at the video on
homelessness: Make The Homeless Smile
Second Video:
"Long Walk From The Street" - a song for the Homeless
Chaplain Kevin Santucci
