Maybe we can at least make eye contact

And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, "Look at us." So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. Then Peter said, "Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you…”
Acts 3:4-6

Peter and John were in the temple at the hour of prayer (Acts 3:1). They came across a disabled man (he could not walk) who was doing what disabled people in those days had to do to survive: beg (v.2).

To most passersby, then as now, a disabled beggar may as well have been invisible. They are always there, always looking for a handout. Most of us look away, avoiding eye contact. People in those kinds of conditions can make us feel uncomfortable.

Peter and John, disciples of Christ, born again, filled with the Holy Spirit, and moved with compassion looked at the man. In fact, according to verse 4, Peter “fixed his eyes [looked intently] on the man.”

Reading this again, I am convicted that like many, I tend to look past people in similar situations. It is easy, and to some extent justifiable, to look past people on the street begging. After all, in our culture, many are in the situation they are in, not because of disability or because they have no choice. Many have chosen this way of life rather than working. Many have substance abuse problems. And the truth be told, some have abused their family and friends’ generosity to the extent that they will no longer underwrite their irresponsibility.

And like Peter, we cannot shell out money to every beggar we see. But maybe we can at least make eye contact. Maybe we can acknowledge them. Maybe we can say something to them. Maybe if we stocked our pockets or purses with Gospel tracts, we could say, “Did you get one of these yet?” and give them a tract.

I know that isn’t what their asking for, but it is what they need most.