I was sitting in McDonald's in a Train Station, trying to work on my writing projects when a homeless man sat himself at my table...

Without seeking permission, looking at me, nor so much as acknowledging my presence, he plugged his phone into the hub at my table. Now, having traveled a lot in the last 10 years, I understand people desperate to find a place to recharge their phone, and even I have approached people sitting near a plug or USB hub and asked to charge my phone. So, I don't have a problem with this. But I was surprised when, I suppose he realized I wasn't going to object, he just sat down. And honestly, for a moment, I couldn't decide whether I was offended or amused. I decided I was the latter and hid my smirk behind the book I was reading. After all, I have learned there are many places where strangers do sit at same tables when space is limited. The place was packed, and he wasn't hurting anyone.  

For a while we completely ignored each other, but after a while I began to notice the smell of his body odor. This caused me to look up again and study him for a moment. He was young, probably early to mid-twenties, his fingernails had dirt underneath and the skin surrounding them were cracked and scabs from where they bled had formed, and his jacket was stained. But overall he appeared to be attempting to stay clean and orderly. Had I [met] him under different circumstances, I wouldn't have guessed he was homeless. But he was there, sitting at my table uninvited while completely ignoring me, and now I was distracted by his smell. (I felt bad about that latter, but it was still true.)

By this point, I knew I had three options: 

1) I could continue to ignore him 

2) I could insist he leave my table 

3) I could buy him a coffee 

I choose to buy him a coffee. 

Through a translation app, I learned he was Polish, had been vacated from the place he had been staying, and was trying to get a ticket home. I didn't have enough money, or I would have bought him the ticket, but I did have enough for the coffee. So, I could do that. I couldn't understand his name, but I do remember his face. It's sad to think of someone so young already homeless, especially in this cold. I don't know if his story is true, but he didn't try to hit me up for money or anything. I think he would have completely ignored me the whole time if I had just left things that way. But I don't regret that I took time to offer the coffee nor to ask questions. I do pray that he managed to reach one of his friends for assistance (as that's what he claimed to be doing on his phone). 

But it so easy to just ignore them, too. We can justify ourselves (correctly so) that most of these people made bad choices which got them there, and they will only take advantage of us if we help them. And that might possible be true. But when I take out my Bible I realize I'm holding a mirror, and I don't always like the reflection. 

How many times have I made poor choices in my life? How many times have I made mistakes that make life hard? How many times has God, or someone else, stepped up to help me through it and I didn't really appreciate it? What makes me better than anyone else? And what qualifies me to pass judgement on someone else just because they've made some bad life choices? 

In Matthew 28:25, when Jesus says, "I was naked, and you clothed Me." He never gave any explanation why He'd be naked and in need of clothing. Nor when He said, "I was in prison, and you visited Me." He never listed possible reasons why He would be in prison. -He only added, "Whatever you do to the least of these, you do to Me." 

Again, it's so easy to justify not being generous to others. "They'll just spend it on drugs or alcohol." "They're scamming people to avoid getting a real job." or "I'm not doing them any favours by giving them money to continue on like this."

The reality is that all of those concerns are valid. There are scammers, drug addicts, etc. and sometimes giving them money is not helping ...at least not that we know of. Maybe, at the least, giving them money helps keep them from getting desperate enough to try and steal the money. Or perhaps, just perhaps, it's someone who really does need help. Jesus didn't appoint me as Judge, but He did appoint me to be an image bearer of His love to others. 

One way to do that is through generousity. This can be through giving either my money or my time. But if we do give money, we need to take a moment to show that person value as well. Don't just drop money in their hand and walk off. Touch their hand and look into their eyes with kindness when you do. If you're able, take a moment with them. Ask them their name, their story, and let them know that you've take time to give them the money because you actually care what happens to them. You don't need to turn it into an evangelical moment to try and convert them. It's not about that. You can mention that you're a Christian, and you can offer to pray for them. The point is to let them know that they are loved and valued by you, and by One Who will be there when you're not. The rest is up to them.

In 2016, during my School of Biblical Studies, I was told something about the Apostle John, the last of the Twelve, about what he would preach when had grown old. He had seen his brothers and friends persecuted and martyred, the fall of his country and the distruction of the Second Temple by the Roman's, endured persecution, abuse and torture himself, and had witnessed gnosticism enter the Church. After all of these things, there was one thing he had learned which was most important above all others, and it only took three words to say it.

"Love One Another."

That's it! That's all we need to do! 

• We've been given grace. Therefore, we need to give grace to others.
• Freely we have recieved. Therefore, freely we must give.
• God forgave us our trespasses. Therefore, we must forgive others' theirs. 
• God provides for us. Therefore, sometimes we need to provide for others.
• We are loved and valued. Therefore, we must love and value others.

I only bought a guy a coffee and offered to pray for him. If I had the money, I would have bought that train ticket. I'm still praying that someone helped him out. He could have been lying, maybe running from someone, or did something which put himself in that situation. But it wasn't my responsibility to determine any of that. I only needed to show a little kindness. That's all any us really need to do. 

So, my question to you is this: The next time you have the opportunity to show kindness and generosity to someone else -will you take it?