Serving The Poor
Mark 14:7 says:
“For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want, you can do good for them. But you will not always have me.”
This scripture is set within a story of worship. A woman anointed Jesus’ feet with expensive perfume, which prompted others to question if her actions were wasteful. Wouldn’t it have been better to sell the perfume and give the money to the poor? Jesus’ response was clear—there would always be opportunities to serve the poor, but His physical presence with them was temporary.
There’s a lot happening in this passage, but what stands out most to me is the phrase, “you always have the poor with you.” Jesus seems to be acknowledging a reality: poverty will always exist in this world. This idea is worth exploring. Why is it important for us to grasp this?
During my time working with the homeless, I met many well-meaning individuals who were eager to end homelessness once and for all. While it’s a noble goal, the truth is that many of these efforts fizzled out within a few months or years, often because the end results didn’t align with their expectations. The dream of solving poverty on a grand scale is enticing, but it’s also elusive. Why?
In my experience, the issue often lies in how we approach the problem. Many attempt to tackle homelessness from a macro level, hoping for large-scale solutions to fit every situation. But this overlooks the complexity of individual lives. Instead of focusing on grand strategies, we should be working on a micro level, seeing people in their unique circumstances and building one-on-one relationships with them.
A related challenge is how we measure success in this work. What defines a successful outcome for someone experiencing homelessness? Is it getting them into housing? Helping them find a job? Assisting them in becoming a contributing member of society?
These are valid goals, but they can sometimes fall short of addressing the deeper need: meeting people where they are, personally. Take, for example, two individuals: one might have the potential to earn an engineering degree and secure a high-paying job once given the right support. Another might have a low aptitude for work but feel deeply loved and valued through your care. Still, someone else might be nearing the end of life, and your role is simply to help them die with dignity, surrounded by love.
Whatever the outcome, the true metric for success should be this: “Did I meet them in their unique circumstances with the love of Jesus?”
It’s not always about eradicating poverty or checking off achievements. Instead, it’s about offering love, respect, and hope—one person at a time. The poor will always be with us, but so too will the opportunity to show Christ’s love in every encounter.
