What Would Jesus Do? A Simple Perspective
Let’s break this down in plain language. The debate about whether we should focus on making our cities look perfect or help people who are struggling isn’t new. But it’s important, because it says a lot about what kind of society we want.
The Question at Hand
Imagine walking through your city. You see fancy buildings and clean streets, but in the corners, there are people living in tents, struggling to get by. Some leaders talk about making the city beautiful again by removing those tents and cleaning things up. It sounds nice, right? But what happens to the people living there?
People vs. Appearances
It’s easy to look at a city and think, “Wow, this is gorgeous!” But cities aren’t just buildings and parks—they’re made up of people. If we sweep away the homeless just so things look pretty, we aren’t solving the real problem. We’re just hiding it.
Helping those in need means facing tough truths: some folks don’t have homes, jobs, or support. Beautifying a city by making those people disappear doesn’t help them—it just moves the problem somewhere else.
What Would Jesus Do?
Now, let’s think about how Jesus might see this. If we look at his life and teachings, one thing stands out: he always cared about people first, especially those who were poor, sick or pushed aside. He didn’t spend his time making things look perfect for appearances’ sake. Instead, he fed the hungry, healed the sick, and welcomed those no one else wanted.
Jesus taught that loving your neighbor and caring for those in need is more important than keeping up appearances. In fact, he challenged leaders who ignored the needy in favor of looking good on the outside.
What Does This Mean for Us?
If we want to do what’s right, maybe we should follow that example: help people first. Beautifying the city can be good, but not if it means ignoring or hurting people who need help. A truly “beautiful” city is one where everyone is cared for—not just one that looks good on postcards.
So, if you’re wondering what’s more important—making the capital shine, or lifting up those in need—the answer is pretty clear. Put people first. That’s what makes a city, and a society, truly great.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, everyone wants to live in a nice place. But we shouldn’t forget our humanity. Helping those in need isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s what builds real community and lasting beauty. That’s what matters most.
Minister A Francine Green
August 2025
afrancinegreen.com 