The Sheer Sweetness of Spurned Beggars: Why I Marvel at God's Chosen Neglect
Hey everyone! I was just thinking about something that’s been on my mind lately, and I wanted to share it with you all. You know, sometimes the Bible has these stories that seem a little… well, tough to swallow at first. But the more I’ve prayed and pondered, the more I see the sweet, almost divine purpose behind it all. Today, I’m thinking about the idea of spurned beggars.
I know, it sounds harsh, right? Like, how could that possibly be something to marvel at? But bear with me. In Deuteronomy 15:7-8, it says, “If among you, one of your brothers should become poor, in any of your towns within your land that the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart or shut your hand against your poor brother, but you shall open your hand to him and lend him sufficient for his need.” We're called to be generous, to help those less fortunate. That’s clear. And it's something I strive to live by daily.
But then I think of other passages, where people are turned away, or just plain ignored. Take the story of the persistent widow in Luke 18:1-8. She keeps begging the unjust judge for justice, and he only finally gives in because he’s annoyed. I used to be confused about this, like why didn't he just help her from the start? Where was the compassion? But now, I see that her persistence was meant to demonstrate something bigger – that even when help feels impossible to get, you should never stop seeking what’s righteous. There’s a divine purpose in the delay, I believe.
I had a similar experience myself recently. I was volunteering at a food bank, and a man came in asking for extra help, saying he’d been turned away from other places. Honestly, I was a little hesitant at first. We’re taught to help, but there’s always a tiny voice that wonders if someone's taking advantage of the system. My initial reaction wasn’t as open and loving as I would have liked. It wasn't until after I went back and read through some of the teachings on persistence, particularly Matthew 7:7 (“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you”), that I realized what was really happening. This man wasn't just asking for food; he was pushing me to truly live my faith. He was a catalyst for growth!
This also brings to mind the story of the woman with the issue of blood in Matthew 9. She had suffered for years, had spent all her money on doctors, and she was still afflicted. She sought help desperately, even sneaking through crowds to touch the hem of Jesus's garment. It wasn't that Jesus was unwilling, but her desperation and faith were such that it called her healing into being. I've really taken that to heart. Sometimes, it's not about immediate gratification, but about developing that inner persistence, that almost frantic desire for what's needed.
It makes me look at the situations in the Bible where people are not instantly helped differently. Like the ten lepers in Luke 17:11-19, only one came back to thank Jesus. The others? They got their healing, and that was it. It makes me wonder if there isn't some kind of lesson there for all of us, a quiet call to humility and gratitude. Maybe sometimes the "no" or the lack of immediate help isn't a reflection of God's coldness, but a chance for us to see what we're made of, to demonstrate faith and persistence.
I know it's easy to look at suffering and think it's evidence of God's absence, but I'm starting to see these instances of spurned beggars as opportunities to refine our faith and understand the depth of His plan. It’s about pushing us to be better and to have a deeper relationship with Him. It’s not always comfortable, but it’s always for our good in the end. And I think that’s something truly amazing.
Thinking about all of this, I'm left wondering: How can we see our own moments of feeling spurned as chances to grow in faith?