Shake. Spanish tile. Copper. Clay. Sod. Rubber. Phyllite. Tin. Thatch. Slate. Asphalt shingle. If you couldn’t guess what I was describing, the last one is a giveaway. These are all types of roofs. Yesterday was National Roof Over Your Head Day and the celebration is a call to be thankful for that roof and everything underneath it.
It might surprise us to know that as of 2024, the homeless population of the United States was 741,480 people. I assumed the number was higher. However, this reflects an 18% increase over the previous year. Putting this into perspective, the US population is 341.96 million, and the homeless population only accounts for .2%. We must be careful, though, not to shrug that off because this statistic matters to that .2%.
It’s very easy for 99.8% of Americans to forget about what a blessing it is to have that roof over our heads. We are protected from the elements. Most have air conditioning and heat. Under those roofs is a lot of stuff. Through the years and in several states, I’ve been in the homes of the impoverished. Never once was I in a home that was empty. It never failed that there were a variety of amenities. The only exceptions may have been some elderly on fixed incomes living very meagerly.
Can I be honest? I’m embarrassed at how good I’ve got it. I will not say that I’ve worked hard through the years even though I have. Instead, I will declare that all that I have is because of God and HE gets the credit, not me and not my efforts. God has blessed abundantly and has taken such great care of me and my family through the years. Therefore –
I need to be content. Paul tells Timothy in 1 Timothy 6:6-8, “But godliness with contentment is great gain. (7) For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. (8) And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.” And Hebrews 13:5 reminds us, “Let your conversation be without
covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”
Honestly, that is how I feel. I would argue that I am very content. There’s always something that will catch our eye and we say, “I wish…” But I do nothing to pursue it and it’s a fleeting thought with no substance. I come home after the day and thank God for who and what is under my roof, totally satisfied and at peace. Such contentment is a wonderful feeling.
I need to give as generously as I have received. Am I “rich?” Not by the world’s standards.
“In the first quarter of 2025, almost two-thirds percent of the total wealth in the United States was owned by the top 10 percent of earners. In comparison, the lowest 50 percent of earners only owned 2.5 percent of the total wealth.”1 They call this “wealth disparity and inequality.” The Socialists feel that those top 10% earners “owe” it to the rest of us. NONSENSE!
To be wealthy in America, your net worth is supposed to be $2.5 million. Let me tell you something as honestly as I can. I don’t want anything from the top 10%. I don’t want anything from the top 1% who are the billionaires. And I don’t want to be in the $2.5 million category.
Again, I say, I’m content and I feel like God has blessed me immensely. Through the years, God has been very generous and cared for our needs and even some wants. By God’s standards and the abundance of His blessings, yes, I am rich.
Since I believe that, I’m obligated to practice 1 Timothy 6:7-8. “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; (18) That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate…”
It is a joy to give, isn’t it? In fact, as we thank God for the roof over our heads, let’s remind ourselves of the truth found in Acts 20:35. “…remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
1https://www.statista.com/statistics/203961/wealth-distribution-for-the-us/
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