Gratitude And Compassion Lead To The Joy Of Abundance

by Eric Elkin

“For those who have will receive more and they will have more than enough. But as for those who don’t have, even the little they have will be taken away from them. ”

— Matthew 13: 12

The encampment of unsheltered people is growing in downtown St. Paul, MN. What started as a few tents has grown into a full-fledged community. This is not the first time houseless people occupied St. Paul’s Lower Landing Park. Over the past 10 years, these tent communities have come and gone. However, this time, the situation feels different.

This time the community does not appear to be unemployed. \When I drive by in the morning, I see people heading out to work. I’ve watched people leave their tents to go work on their vehicles. When I see this community, I see one of the secrets of modern America — working-class poverty.

The average American thinks these houseless communities are comprised of people who prefer a transient lifestyle. They will see the people as crippled by addiction issues or unwilling to work. While in some cases this is true, a decrease in affordable housing has forced working-class families to live in tents in cities like St. Paul.

“When life gets hard, try to remember: the life you complain about is only a dream to some people ”

— Anonymous

Some will say, “Not my problem.” Deputy St. Paul Police Chief Jeremy Ellison and St. Paul Fire Chief Butch Inks do not see it this way. They see this problem as impacting everyone inside and outside the tent communities. Therefore, they are lobbying state legislatures to increase funding for more housing options.

Given the reality of this situation, the words of Jesus in Matthew 13:12 seem harsh. How could the Prince of Peace be so cruel to people without? Where is the hope for compromised people?

Perhaps, Jesus is not referring to wealth in his words. As a matter of fact, I believe he is talking about gratitude and dependence. Grateful people will receive more, and those who are not will have more taken.

What I have often experienced among unsheltered people is a deep sense of gratitude and a sense of dependence. When you live life on the edge, your vulnerability is an ever-present reality. You see gifts and give thanks.

On the other hand, people living in secure situations often do not feel dependent. Nor do they feel grateful. This community (and I often place myself in this camp) will gripe about the price of gas, the cost of living, and the list of everything they cannot afford. We can often see what we are losing rather than gaining.

Jesus ends the dialogue with happiness. Happy are those who can see and hear. I assume he is referring to the goodness in their lives. The words remind me to see the blessings in my life and be grateful. And to hear the concerns of others and be compassionate. These two actions produce the most incredible experience of joy in those who do them. So the advice today is to see, hear and respond.

Click to read Ezekiel 17: 22-24

Reflection Questions:

When have you built something with your hands?
How much joy did it bring your soul? And, how long did that joy last?
How often do you notice the created world and its creatures when dwelling in the human-made world?
Where do you find beauty, joy, and peace in creation?

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