When Jesus said, “The poor you will always have with you” (Matthew 26:11), He wasn’t shrugging off the needs of those who were struggling. He was reminding His followers (and us) that compassion is not a seasonal duty. Honestly, it’s a lifelong calling.
The pandemic revealed just how fragile our sense of security can be. Overnight, jobs vanished. Prices climbed. Shelves emptied. What was once affordable suddenly wasn’t. Housing costs soared in cities like Dallas and Richardson, where the price of an ordinary home or apartment rose far faster than most paychecks. Even families with steady work found themselves squeezed, choosing between paying rent or buying groceries and between keeping the lights on or seeing a doctor.
Behind those numbers are stories of parents praying through sleepless nights, seniors facing eviction, and children wondering why home doesn’t feel safe anymore. Outreach centers saw a rise in people who had never imagined needing help. The thin line between “managing” and “homeless” grew heartbreakingly near.
It’s easy to think affordability is an economic issue, but it’s also deeply spiritual. Every human being deserves the dignity of a safe place to rest, to dream, to heal. When that dignity is threatened, we the Church have an opportunity to embody God’s provision to make grace visible in practical ways.
Maybe that means offering someone a meal. Maybe it’s helping them navigate a rental application or connecting them to local aid. Maybe it’s using our voices, our art, and our influence to remind others that behind every statistic is a name and a heartbeat.
In a world still recovering from a global crisis, affordability isn’t just about what things cost. It’s about how we value people and view their worth. In God’s economy, every person is priceless.
My Prayer
Gracious Heavenly Father, please open our eyes to the quiet struggles around us. Teach us to see beyond numbers and policies to the people You love. People are not a problem to be solved, but human beings created in Your image, to be loved. Grant us the courage to act with compassion and creativity, building communities where all can find home and hope.
In the sweet, precious name of Jesus. Amen.
Until my next post…
Be salty, stay lit.
Rainer Bantau —The Devotional Guy™
You can now find my articles in The Christian Grandfather Magazine.
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The Devotional Guy™ 
Thank you, Jim. I appreciate your encouragement. Blessings.
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Loved this. Especially the prayer. Thank you.
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I agree, Barb. 😃 At the same time, people need food to eat and a roof over their heads. People need access to medical care and medication that doesn’t break the bank. People need safe neighborhoods and places to gather and worship. Perhaps most of all, people need to be loved and treated with dignity. Thanks for reading my post and sharing your thoughts. Blessings 🙏.
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People are far more important than any possession or event.
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