Faithfully yours - A model from history

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Published on Saturday, September 10, 2016

By Neil Strohschein

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An exceptionally high tide, so the story goes, had washed hundreds of starfish on to a west coast beach. As the tide receded, the starfish became stranded. Without water to cover them, it was only a matter of time before they would die.

A young lad happened to walk by, saw what was happening and sprang into action. He began picking up starfish, one at a time and throwing them as far out into the water as he could; far enough to ensure that they would be safe and survive.

An older man, upon witnessing this spectacle, stopped the young lad. “Son, there are hundreds of starfish here. You’ll never be able to save them. What difference will all your effort make?”

The lad paused, picked up a starfish and threw it far out to sea. Then, looking at the man he said: “It made a difference for him.”

In New York City, a musician named Chris Leamy sat down next to a homeless man named Miguel. For some time, Chris had taken a few hours a week to sit with the homeless and play some tunes for them. Passersby placed money in a cup, thinking it was for him. But he turned it over to the homeless, who used it to buy a meal, or find a place to take a shower or get a bed for the night.

Most of those he helped were never seen again. But Miguel was different. His story broke Chris’ heart. Miguel wasn’t an alcoholic. He wasn’t on drugs. He was a victim of a string of bad luck that put him on the streets. Chris began looking for some way to do more for Miguel.

Somehow, the Bowery Mission in New York got wind of what Chris was doing. They contacted a news crew who made a video of Chris and Miguel. It went viral, with over 4.1 million views since August 18, the day it was posted. Four days later, enough money had been raised to find Miguel a place to live. Another person offered him a job and the excess funds raised provided 1,257 meals for those at Bowery Mission. One man’s actions made a difference in another’s life.

I am always inspired when I read stories like these. They remind me of how the first century church addressed poverty, unemployment and homelessness in their world. They did not have the government programs we have today. Those in need sat on the side of the road and begged. If people were generous, they might collect a few coins in their cup. But that was rarely the case.

So how did the church respond? Those with funds to share brought them to the apostles. They in turn, handed the funds to seven men of unquestioned integrity who visited the needy, encouraged them and gave them funds to help them meet their needs.

The force that drove them was the same force that drove the lad on the beach and Chris Leamy to do what they could to help stranded starfish and a homeless man. They were driven by love—a love that would not let them rest until they had made a difference in at least one life.

When people like you and me refuse to do what we can to help neighbours in need, governments must do it for us. But when that happens, love is eliminated and the personal contact that could produce lasting answers to social problems is lost. Next week—some ideas on how can we devise homemade solutions to today’s social problems.