I was carrying cash later into the evening. I was approached by a beggar as I was leaving Applebee's. He caught me off guard. I shot him a ten and he was on his merry way.
Do you feed the needy when they approach you and ask for a handout? Monday afternoon I decided to browse a christian bookstore. Before my entry, I was approached by a man and his wife. By all appearances they were homeless and hungry. They were dirty and gaunt. The man asked if I had any money to spare. "My wife is hungry, sir." I replied "I do not carry any cash. I do carry my (credit) card. If you'd like, I will pay for your meal," as I pointed to the pizza establishment adjacent to the bookstore. The man looked to his wife. She shook her head no. The man said,"I'm sorry to bother you, sir." And they turned away.
They would probably be happy if you were carrying a few extra bottles (full of course) that you could have handed them.
Do you feed the needy when they approach you and ask for a handout? Monday afternoon I decided to browse a christian bookstore. Before my entry, I was approached by a man and his wife. By all appearances they were homeless and hungry. They were dirty and gaunt. The man asked if I had any money to spare. "My wife is hungry, sir." I replied "I do not carry any cash. I do carry my (credit) card. If you'd like, I will pay for your meal," as I pointed to the pizza establishment adjacent to the bookstore. The man looked to his wife. She shook her head no. The man said,"I'm sorry to bother you, sir." And they turned away.
I very rarely carry cash so giving it away isn't a problem, I do and have offered to buy a meal, some have accepted, some declined, which ro me means the "food" they really wanted was in the form of a liquid lunch or the breakfast of champions.
On one isolated occasion I did give cash. I was in Hartford for some training class and a guy hit me up for a meal in McDonald's and I did give him a 5 dollar bill. He did get in line there to buy food.
Only too happy to help someone in need, but I am not going to contribute to the delinquency of an adult.
Location: In two of the most beautiful states in the U.S.A
Posts: 1,676
Re: Helping the homeless and the hungry
California has or had an organization who trained people to beg on the street. They would then distribute them to diffrent parts of the state, put them up in motels or apartments and collect most of what they made. My son in law drove a city bus and the pan handlers would get on his bus and compare with each other how much they had made that day. He said sometimes it was more than he made driving the bus. They didn't have to pay taxes and union dues out of thaeirs.A guy was begging outside of McDonalds so my daughter went in bought a big mac and he refused it. The answer for me, no I don't usually give money away to those on the street.
California has or had an organization who trained people to beg on the street. They would then distribute them to diffrent parts of the state, put them up in motels or apartments and collect most of what they made. My son in law drove a city bus and the pan handlers would get on his bus and compare with each other how much they had made that day. He said sometimes it was more than he made driving the bus. They didn't have to pay taxes and union dues out of thaeirs.A guy was begging outside of McDonalds so my daughter went in bought a big mac and he refused it. The answer for me, no I don't usually give money away to those on the street.
The whole bus thing made me remember something that made the news in Hartford. The one enterprising pan-handler didn't do the whole street person thing, he was clean cut, dressed in a suit and carried a briefcase, his story was someone stole his wallet and he needed bus fare. Someone finally got wise after being hit up a couple of times with the same story on different days.
The guy made a decent amount though while he got away with it.
Location: In two of the most beautiful states in the U.S.A
Posts: 1,676
Re: Helping the homeless and the hungry
I'd love to help everyone who needs help but the problem is knowing if they are really in need. There is an elderly woman who stands at the freeway exit of I-5 with a sign. She is not homeless but lives with her daughter in the east part of town known as Oakieville. There so many frauds in our country including the one in the white house.
I've tried, but been turned down many times. One man with a 'hungry-will work for food sign' even turned down flat the fresh Panera's that I offered him!
I knew a couple that made a living this way. So I don't give on the streets generally. But I keep some supplies on hand for those with legitimate needs, when possible.
My experience with that is different. I went through a drive thru on my way to Sun evening service once. I ordered burgers and for some reason ordered more than we needed. I drove down the street a mile and there was a man w/sign. I rolled down the window and told him I didn't have cash, but would he like the burger? He said he would love it and thanked me... as I pulled away, he was eating it... so guess he truly was hungry. Never know, maybe it was meant for me to order the extra...which is totally unlike me.
Many homeless people are dual diagnosed mentally ill and with substance abuse problems. The cycle they are in breeds hopelessness. They medicate themselves with substances instead of taking their MH meds. They lose their jobs, homes, and support system. Family gets tired of dealing with the constant drain emotionally and financially.
I think, when it is within our power to help we should without worrying about what we think they might do with the money, although I do agree that to take them and feed them would perhaps make you feel better.
Matthew 5:42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
This doesn’t come with stipulations as to what they are going to use the money for, if they will return the money, if they are going to misuse the money or what they borrow. It just says to give and to lend.
All we have is the Lord’s to begin with, he will replace as we give.
Proverbs 19:17 He who has pity on the poor lends to the LORD, And He will pay back what he has given.
I just do my best to follow this even though I have to admit that I lack trust in God sometimes.
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