It's humbling to see what such work reveals about us. Unless we have been needy enough ourselves to have to rely on the kindness of others, it's all too easy to assume the worst about people, especially the poor in a wealthy nation like mine. Lazy. Addict. Bum. Mental case, etc.

There may even be found such unbiblical judgmental attitudes in our choices of who we share the gospel with! "Wow, I think that guy would make a fine Christian! Motivated, passionate, articulate..." or "That bum wouldn't make a very good Christian. Dependent, needy, a drain on others..."

Yet God clearly favors "the least of these" and desires childlike dependence upon Him. Look at Paul's description of the Elect in 1st Corinthians 1:26-29:

Quote
...not many wise, not many mighty, not many noble; but God has chosen the foolish to shame the wise, the weak to shame the strong, and the base and despised, the Nobodies to nullify the Somebodies, so that no one may boast before God. (Robin's paraphrase)

Lest we become haughty, we should remind each other often of who the Lord favors, according to His own word.

As for the physical ministries, many churches are able pool resources and cooperatively operate food banks, shelters, clinics and such with other churches, especially in small towns like mine. I think it benefits us all, from the liberals to the fundamentalists. At my own church the Deacons have a lot of discretion in matters pertaining to the needy, and you might find some needy person doing yard work or painting or cleaning the grounds tin exchange for whatever assistance the church is providing.

-Robin