On usefulness

I have a question. I wonder if there is an answer.

It starts with my Hari Krishna neighbor's comment the other day. She likes the message of Thomas the Tank Engine books and movies that focus on Thomas being a useful engine. She finds that to be an important message for her nearly three-year-old son. Usefulness. It's her goal for her son and clearly for herself. She's a bright, energetic, caring person.

So this summer a man came to church a few times with one of our church families. He was staying wtih them. It didn't take too long for them to seek Mark's advice. He was causing a bit of trouble in demanding being served, refusing to leave, and refusing to seek help. So finally, he went to stay with his brother in Connecticut and this weekend called us. He said he was coming back to DC for another eye surgery and he needed a place to stay. Mark tried to find some resources but the hour was late and he was waiting at the bus station so he came to our home. The family from our church was very concerned and gave us the man's family's info. They talked about the months they had tried to help him realize that he has mental issues and needs to seek help. He refused to believe them. Mark called his brother and sister and they reiterated the same. He needs serious help and refuses to believe it. All advising parties said the best thing was to get him out of our home as he may not be safe. So the church paid for a night at a hotel and who knows where he is tonight. Mark gave him numbers for resources, homeless shelters, etc.

This man was until some point recently a practicing medical doctor in California. Something snapped and his license has been revoked. His family believes that with mental counseling or medication he could get a job somewhere. They hope that he can become a functioning member of society and are willing to do whatever they can to help.

That's a good hope for a family member to have. But what if it's the wrong hope? Is everyone capable of being a functioning member of society? What happens to those who aren't? Are those the guys on the streetcorners with cardboard signs? Or are they ones found on frosty mornings - stiff and nameless? What should a family or a society do with someone who refuses to see their need? Should they really turn him out to starve or die?

What does Scripture say? I see challenges to accept strangers and hungry. To not say "God bless, be well" while shutting your door. I hear Christians talk about usefulness too. I wonder
where the concept of usefulness comes. Right now I don't remember hearing it in Scripture but maybe that's just my blinded aching heart. Does the concept of usefulness go hand in hand with compassion of the Christ? Somehow I can't help but think that the usefulness the church wants to tout is about Capitalistic Christianity that pulls itself up by the bootstraps.

I am confused. I am also ashamed. My confusion is my scapegoat for why I didn't stand up when someone is in this much trouble. I want to pray but I can't. .... Someone is out there on a cold night. Someone whose hand I shook as he left.