Will Work For Food

Most everybody has seen someone holding up a sign that says: “Will Work For Food.”  Usually, we witness this while traveling to a major city, but it’s not uncommon to see locals advertising their services at the bottom of a Route 95 exit ramp.  

There is no doubt that most of these souls have fallen on hard times.  But in the U.S., many people that hold up these signs aren’t actually looking for a job—no, they’re asking for money.  As we pass by we wrestle with our response.  Do we or don’t we? 

Why do we struggle with this?  Would we feel better about ourselves if we gave them $10?  Would such a gift allow our conscience to cease condemning us as a hardhearted miser?  But, it’s not an unwillingness to give to the needy that’s the issue for many.  Most Christians that I know will jump at the chance to give to those who need help.  No, wise people wrestle with two main issues.  One, they wonder if those on street corners who hold up these signs are legitimately needy.  Two, they fear that their generosity may actually hurt the one they're giving to in the long run.

Frankly, this is what politicians, business leaders, ministers and academics argue about endlessly.  Some blame “The System” while others focus on individual responsibility.  Although I favor the latter, in truth the answer lies somewhere in between. 

The story of Joseph’s administration of food during the height of a worldwide famine in Genesis 47:11-31 touches on this issue.  The people of Egypt and Canaan are hungry and Joseph is in charge of the food.  Where should Joseph’s loyalties lie?  To the Egyptians?  To Pharoah?  To his family?  Or, is this even the point of the story?  

There’s always a backstory behind the headlines.  If this event happened today, there would be 24/7 news coverage of the famine.  There would be scenes capturing families who look desperate and destitute.  They would evoke pity, but from whom?  The people watching the news would be in the same boat!

This is not a local famine—no, it’s one of biblical proportions.  There are food lines in Egypt filled with Egyptians, Philistines, Moabites, Edomites and anyone else from the surrounding region.  But, there are some who have managed to miss the famine.  All of them have some tie to Joseph.