Gratitude: homeless man collects money for Catholic charity that fed him

The Deacon's Bench ^ | May 3, 2013 | Deacon Greg Kandra

[NYer]

>

What a story:

An elderly homeless man who has relied on the kindness of strangers to survive recently paid it forward.

Ed Denst, 77, donated $250, all in $1 bills, to the Catholic charity the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul Council of Los Angeles.

“I was shocked,” board president Claire Padama told CBS LA. “I think that’s more meaningful than those people who have a lot.”

Padama has known Denst, an ex-Marine, for nearly 20 years, CBS LA reported. He goes to Our Mother of Good Counsel Church every day to receive a meal, something that is made possible by the Saint Vincent de Paul Society’s daily sandwich program.

The money will go toward helping those who need rental or utility assistance, Padama said.

Denst has been homeless since his wife died 23 years ago. He told CBS LA that he has been living on the streets since he sold the house and spent all of his money.

Read the rest and watch a video here.

[NYer]

In the 12th Book of Mark, we hear a similar story:

41

⁸ He sat down opposite the treasury and observed how the crowd put money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums.

42

A poor widow also came and put in two small coins worth a few cents.

43

Calling his disciples to himself, he said to them, "Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury.

44

For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood."

[cloudmountain]

Denst is probably an alcoholic, a throw-away person in our society. Yet, he had room for charity.

I am always amazed by people: some who have SO MUCH are stingy beyond belief and those like Denst who have nothing but still give.

[DustyMoment]

I only read the headline, but this sounds like a guy worth salvaging. If he’s willing to make the necessary changes to his life (e.g. give up drugs, alcohol, whatever), I’m willing to put my tax dollars up to rehab him and get him the assistance he needs.

He has demonstrated a pretty special characteristic and, IMO, that deserves something.

[Salvation]

**I’m willing to put my tax dollars up to rehab him and get him the assistance he needs.**

Our local St. Vincent de Paul Society will pay the last $50.00 on a bill — the people have to be responsible for the rest of the utility payment.

They also provide free furniture and toiletries. The wife of one member always checks their bathroom to see if they have a bar of soap and toilet paper — things we take for granted.

If no such supplies are apparent, they leave one bar of soap and one roll of toilet paper.

[DustyMoment]

God bless your local St. Vincent de Paul Society.

[windcliff]

Neighborhood ping.

[yefragetuwrabrumuy]

There should be a little concern for his well being. People sometimes give unexpected gifts when they expect to die, either of a bad illness or suicide. While it is good to hope that he is just being a good soul, it would be a really good idea to have a long, relaxed chat with him, just in case.

And it also makes a good return for charity from the heart, so it is time well spent.

[samiam1972]

I would so much rather give money to this man than the guy in this one:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/3015504/posts

[ZinGirl]

you know....sometimes we entertain angels and never know it.

I TRY to keep that in mind when I encounter strangers.

[thecodont]

Good idea.

[Mortrey]

God love him.

He certainly puts most people to shame.

[HarleyD]

Please note your example:

Mark 12:44 For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood."

The widow went and earned her money, her two pennies. This was her "livelihood". Then, after earning it, she went and gave it to God. We find a similar situation with King David:

2Sa 24:21 And Araunah said, "Why has my lord the king come to his servant?" David said, "To buy the threshing floor from you, in order to build an altar to the LORD, that the plague may be averted from the people."

2Sa 24:22 Then Araunah said to David, "Let my lord the king take and offer up what seems good to him. Here are the oxen for the burnt offering and the threshing sledges and the yokes of the oxen for the wood.

2Sa 24:23 All this, O king, Araunah gives to the king." And Araunah said to the king, "May the LORD your God accept you."

2Sa 24:24 But the king said to Araunah, "No, but I will buy it from you for a price. I will not offer burnt offerings to the LORD my God that cost me nothing." So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.

David would not give something to the Lord that did not cost him something in return.

With all due respect to this gentleman, if all he did was beg for the money and then turned it over to the church, it didn't cost him a thing.