Elmwood’s Parable of the Burning Bush

In the front of our building at 145 Henderson Hwy are a variety of small trees and thriving bushes; yet one of those bushes is no longer thriving. Why? Simply put—it was set on fire. That bush had become a shelter for a few people over the past few weeks in an attempt to find a quiet place and sleep in a sleepless existence. One thing must have led to another and eventually the bush was set on fire, either to keep warm or as a result of a botched drug cook out. Someone saw the flames and called 911. Thankfully, no one was hurt and the building is no worse for wear. 

So how are we to think of this? We can shake our fists at the government of the rising homeless population or lift those same hands in despair over the addictions crisis our city is facing. Both are not helpful options. There are over 300 texts in scripture that talk about the issues of poverty—more than we can consider now, but the point is—the Bible is not silent on the issue. 

Proverbs 19:17 ‘Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done.’ or 1 John 3:17 ‘But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?’ 

Scripture clearly states that poverty is part of the human condition (Mt.26:11) this side of eternity. But it also demands that we do what we can to alleviate and lift the burdens of our neighbours, as far as we are able. 

The poor are also given as examples of the human condition before God when Jesus says, ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.’ 

In other words, those who see that they are spiritually homeless, poor and begging are those

whose heart posture is able to receive the kingdom of heaven. The spiritually self sufficient have no need of this. 

Engaging with the poor in our community is messy with no guaranteed results. Yet, is this not what Jesus did for us? For we were ‘dead in our sins but now made alive’ (Eph.2:1), ‘lost but now found’ (Luke 15:24).  

Rather than shaking our fists in anger or despair, let’s never forget our own spiritual poverty before God and out of the riches of His love for us, respond to the many needs of our neighbours around us. For that, we need wisdom, grace and abundant mercy. 

-Pastor Ken Stoesz