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This morning I went to a volunteer orientation at the local homeless shelter, The Samaritan Inn.  We're hoping to volunteer there throughout the year as a family.  One of the things that was said there was that the people who are living there do not often fit the image that we have of a "homeless person".  They are people with jobs but for whatever reason weren't able to pay the rent, people going thru divorces who did not have a savings account.  They are people who had their houses foreclosed and don't have family around.  They are people who have been laid off.  They are people whose kids go to school with my kids.  They are people who shop next to me at the grocery store.  They are good people who are going thru tough times. 

Recently one of our church leaders, Elder D. Todd Christofferson, gave an address which included these remarks:

"Throughout history, the Lord has measured societies and individuals by how well they cared for the poor… We control the disposition of our means and resources, but we account to God for this stewardship over earthly things… each of us should prayerfully consider whether we are doing what we should and all that we should in the Lord’s eyes with respect to the poor and the needy.

We might ask ourselves, living as many of us do in societies that worship possessions and pleasures, whether we are remaining aloof from covetousness and the lust to acquire more and more of this world’s goods… Perhaps we can learn to be content with what is sufficient for our needs.

The Apostle Paul warned Timothy against people who suppose “that gain is godliness” (1 Timothy 6:5). Said he, “We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

“And having food and raiment let us be therewith content” (1 Timothy 6:7–8).  In much of the world, we are entering upon unsettled economic times.  Let us look after one another the very best we can."