millionaires and homeless
We have a great variety of people at FBC. Education is diverse; there are doctors who attend alongside of those who have never finished high school. Zulu, Xhosa, Sotho, Pedi, English, Afrikaans, Colored, and Indian… these are present most Sunday mornings.
More recently we have seen another variation. While we have a few millionaires in the church (it’s easier in our ZA Rands!), we are currently ministering to a homeless man. Tshepang (name changed) has been attending for five weeks, and was led to the Lord by Sthembiso on October 23. He has no place to sleep, no work, and is not able to dress well. How would you react to this type of person walking into your church and sitting next to you?
James 2: 1 My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. 2 For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; 3 And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: 4 Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?
Often I find that we invite people to church when we think, “He would make a good Christian.” Or, we like the individual and they have a nice personality. This is wrong.
Tshepang is faithfully attending church. We have provided more comfortable clothing, and have found very little work. Please pray for us to have wisdom in engaging and ministering to such a diverse people.
