Zowie! That's a good point, Cole.

I guess I've learned (the VERY HARD WAY) that I don't always know the whole story, and my assumptions based on what I see are most generally wrong.  I'm a conclusion-leaper, a quick-judger. And my parents raised me to work first for food and shelter, then luxuries. (Coffee falls under the food category, right? Work with me here...)

I probably would've said, "I really don't know the story on that, Cole, but that's a good observation. Some people make choices that are different than what I would make, choices that are kind of foolish to me. And perhaps someone gave him that; I don't know.  I do know that if the iPod is all he has in the world, it's probably something he's hanging on to with all his might, and perhaps finds comfort in the music."

My daughter notices stuff like that, too, and I generally end up learning more than she does.  Or maybe I learn with her.  I do know that it's good that the Lord can see the details that I can't, and that He loves the unlovable and doesn't put conditions on it.  He loves ME, in spite of the junk I struggle with in my heart, daily.  

I wonder how many times I've chosen the iPods, in my life, instead of shelter in the Lord? And yet, He doesn't reject me when I come back, seeking the bread of life.

I am the queen of defense in these matters. Seriously. I almost always think the best of someone and it irritates one or two people I live with, but my mind almost always begins to think of reasons why people might be doing something wrong or inconsistent with the situation - like the "homeless" man with the iPod.

When I read this, immediately I thought that someone must have given him the iPod, or that it is an old iPod that he got before he was homeless, or maybe making purchases like an iPod when he didn't have the money is one of the reasons he is now homeless. Maybe he has day work that provided enough money for a few comforts like an iPod, but not enough to pay for rent, eletricity, etc. Spending his money on an iPod is probably a much better option than spending it on drugs. Maybe he was recently kicked out of his home and grabbed his iPod going out the door.

Have you read the book "Same Kind of Different As Me"? It was an eye opener for me. Some of the homeless men even owned cars.

The point is that only God sees the heart rightly and this might be an opportunity to discuss the various ways to look at I Samuel 16:7 - "For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”

I hope you are having a fantastic vacation, Shannon.

"I wonder how many times I've chosen the iPods, in my life, instead of shelter in the Lord? And yet, He doesn't reject me when I come back, seeking the bread of life."  

Excellent point, Farmer's Wife!  I, too, am working on not being so quick to judge.  

"God sees the heart rightly and this might be an opportunity to discuss the various ways to look at I Samuel 16:7…"  

Patricia, you are so wise.  What a great conversation to have with my kids!  I plan to do so today!  Also, I'll check out the book you mentioned.  :)

Great points in all the comments. Ultimately, we don't know the person and their motivations. I leave it up to God to discern.