Your city needs you

I was chatting with a dear friend before visiting a church this morning about reaching out to the homeless. I said "I see "homeless" people here but I don't know what to do."

Went to the church with a friend, and the sermon was the title above- Your city needs you.

'God has something for you to do in the city. The only thing that can change the city is God's love. "Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, You did for me" (Matt 25:40) Continue loving. God, fill our hearts with Your compassion!"

Which struck me because I always gave the "homeless" one thing only- a glance. I was always bothered about not doing anything. But I just didn't know what to do. And I guess most of what's stopping me is skepticism. My friend told me that she too was really moved by the message, but she was reminded of her flatmates and coursemates (one of them said "There is no love here" in a blogpost) that do not know Jesus.

When we were walking towards nowhere for lunch, a young girl (she looked Middle Eastern) approached us and held up a card saying "I have brothers and a sister. Please give me some money to buy milk powder for them". I didn't think it was good to just give money (skepticism again). We were beside Sainsbury's. I suggested buying food for the girl. My friend agreed. We went into the store and took a loaf of bread from the rack.

One of the staff must have noticed that we were talking to the girl, and warned us "She's a liar. They don't work so that the government gives them money and a house.  Just say 'I don't have money' and leave. But I'm just telling you, it's up to you." We thanked him. We still bought the bread. What evil can a loaf of bread do?

When we went out of the store, we gave the girl the loaf of bread. Now, the girl's "mum" said "We need money to buy milk powder". They still emphasized on wanting money. I said "Take care," and we left.

Did we do the right thing? Should we have gone to buy milk powder for them? How much of what the Sainsbury's staff said can we believe as being true? In this case, should there be more "wisdom" or less of it?