BGEA: My wife and I volunteer at a local homeless shelter. We get discouraged because many of the people are involved in drugs or alcohol and yet won't do anything about it. What is the use of trying to help them?

My wife and I do volunteer work through our church at a local homeless shelter. But we get very discouraged because so many of the people are involved in drugs or alcohol and yet won't do anything about it. What is the use of trying to help them? — H.J.J.

First, let me commend you and your wife (and your church) for your work as volunteers. Volunteers are the unsung heroes of our society, and without them our problems would be much greater than they are.

Yes, it can be discouraging to try helping people, for not everyone wants our help—and some will only take advantage of us. But have you ever thought about how God must feel about the human race? He has done everything He possibly could to bring us back to Himself, even allowing His Son to be put to death on a cross for us. And yet—as in Jesus' day—most people still ignore Him and turn away from His offer of salvation.

But does that mean He refuses to have anything more to do with us? No! He still loves us, and He still promises to save us if we sincerely turn to Christ in trust and faith. And He calls us to have that same kind of love for others. The Bible says, "Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God" (1 John 4:7).

Jesus said, "If anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple ... he will certainly not lose his reward" (Matthew 10:42). No, you may not help everyone—but you will help some, and the Bible says there is "rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents" (Luke 15:7).

1 Comments

Tim says 1.12.2011, 6:19 p.m.

My friend, I too do voluntary ministry work, however, mine is at a Men's Recovery Program here in the Upstate. This program charges nothing to the individual, and it is an in-house, 6 month program. It houses 40 men in various stages of alcohol/drug recovery. It is very easy to become discouraged when you know some are there just to get a free place to stay during the winter months. They are there on their own voluntary admission, yet there is constant conflict when asking them to participate in discussions and homework. Mind you, there are some who are there to truly work on their issues, but there are others who are there to please someone else and don't believe they have any problem, and as I stated earlier, some who are just looking for a place to stay in the winter. It can become very frustrating, but I try to remember that they are in various seasons. Many do not complete the program, but I have had the chance to share the love of Jesus with them and plant a seed of relationship. Some are ready to really take that next step into true recovery and concentrate on developing an ongoing relationship with the Lord. The most important thing to remember is to show the love of Jesus as He modeled to us, unconditionally. We may not ever see the outcome of the person we affect the most, but our obedience is what God requires. It is also important to make sure our heart is right and that we are serving for God and not ourselves. It is easy, speaking for myself to serve.