were over 578,000 people considered homeless . Of that , youth and children accounted for 7.8 percent of the homeless population . Of the overall number 31 percent ( about 177,000 ) resided in places unfit for humans , such as the streets or in abandoned structures or vehicles . These are the people needing attention this holiday season . Of course there are countries much worse than the U . S . but there is not enough space to address each one . What can be said is there is an estimated 100 million people living in poverty globally which includes about 1.6 billion people lacking sufficient housing .
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There is a real issue with poverty not only in the U . S , but worldwide . This can seem overwhelming yet this holiday season , people can be helped and their plight noticed by those who can give to them in time or resources . These numbers do not express those above the poverty line still struggling each week to put food on the table , to have heat in their home , or clothe their children . Christians can help . Christians can make a difference for these people . A person need not have to touch many lives but one person at a time , one family at a time .
Hebrews 13:16 puts a charge to Christians to “... not forget to do good and to share with others , for with such sacrifices God is pleased .” This is a reminder to do good to others for God , not for self . There is a misguidance in people- they tend to help others for personal satisfaction , to feel good about themselves , vice for God . It is not wrong to feel good about helping others , but if it is only done with selfishness and self-gratification , it is wrong . Followers of Jesus are to do good works for the Lord , not works for themselves . To do charity for charities sake , or out of obligation during the holiday season is backwards thinking . Charity must come from the heart to not satisfy personal agendas but to please and for worshipping God through their actions . As sinful creatures though , man tends to want to take care of themselves and their family only and let the survival of the fittest work itself out with others . Followers of Christ are separate from those living in the world and break free from the chains of worldly thinking , thus having the heart and a genuine desire to help those in need .
God commands us to love each other as He has loved us ( John 15:12 , 4:11 ). As Christians , this does not mean love only other Christians , this verse does not qualify this that way . The verse , from the mouth of Jesus , speaks to Christians to love each other . Each other can be the secular neighbor , the felon just released into your neighborhood , the recovering addict at work , those who despise the Christian faith , etc ., etc . Romans 13:10 states , “ Love does no harm to a neighbor . Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law .” Regardless of who people are , love is the utmost importance to have towards others . With a godly love attitude towards others , the love of God will shine through and motivate charitable acts to those in need .
Showing charity to others does not have to be a mega event or anything complicated . Charity can be a simple act . During this holiday season , simple acts of charity can go a long way to letting those in need know they are recognized and loved by others , regardless of their financial status . Being poor can be embarrassing and taking charity may be in conflict with pride of those in need . To approach these people who need help but are too prideful to ask , being humble and kind , not condescending , will go a long way to breaking pride down . Show sympathy or empathy towards those in need , show them there is understanding of their situation , not pity . People don ’ t necessarily want people to pity them , but want understanding of their plight . If a connection to people can be made , barriers can be overcome , which in turn not only brings hope to others , but reinforces to them that people care .
John 13:34-35 speaks to a command from Christ : “’ A new command I give you : Love one another . As I have loved you , so you must love one another . By this everyone will know that you are my disciples , if you love one another ’. “ Even non-believers show compassion and care for those in need , sometimes better than Christians . They have a desire to help people as well . The difference between them and believers is they do not have Christ in their lives . Christians should be the pinnacle example of charity to such an extent that