Should we give to street sign beggars?

I don't know about where you live, but where I live it seems there is someone holding up a sign on every street corner.  The signs are usually a variation on "Hungry anything helps, will work for food, Homeless veteran, etc. "

Driving by these people is uncomfortable to me and having to stop at a stop light right next to them is even worse.  I feel that, as a Christian, I should give them something, but my husband, who is a recovering alcoholic says not to.  Some of his friends who have begged on the corner or panhandled have told me not to give also and I have heard speakers that agreed.  So generally I don't give anything.  

Once in awhile I will give an umbrella or something if I have it in the car and very rarely some change, but I really don't know what to do.  Do you?

Matthew 25:34-40 ESV 

Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? ...





"The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'


If I knew for certain that these people were in need and were not going to spend the money on alcohol or drugs I would certainly give to them.  Maybe I should anyway.  Please leave your comments.  





I do know that I often see homeless people on the streets that are not begging and I would rather give to them.  However, sometimes in this terrible world we live in we don't feel safe going up to homeless people.  What do we do?








I do have a few suggestions:
  • I know of some people who put together small care bags with sample size soaps, toothbrushes, protein bars, etc. and keep them in the car to give out on the corners.
  • Some people give out bible tracts
  • Others make sandwich lunches and take them to where the homeless are and pass them out
  • If you feel led to give to those on the corners, then do.  It may be better to give to those who are really not in need, than to not give to those who are really in need. :-)
  • Pray each time you stop at a light and see someone begging
As I write this I have decided to put a large box of Nature Valley bars in my car.  They will not melt and I can easily hand them out without affecting traffic.  

Maybe this is not a difficult subject for you so if you have any ideas, please share them and I will put them on Facebook for others to see.  You can follow Christian You Decide on Facebook.  



Proverbs 19:17 ESV 

Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.

Proverbs 21:13 ESV 

Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself call out and not be answered















Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What is WRONG with people?

Image
  What is WRONG with people? I find myself saying this more often than I would like.    But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. (2 Timothy 3:1-5 ESV) I think the world has gone crazy.   But it has gone evil. Whatever happened to the golden rule?   Why do people think it is ok to stab someone over a seat at a track meet, to key a car because they don’t like the owner of the company, or shoot a businessman on the street because his company hurt you?   This is what the world has become.   Paul writes it clearly to Timothy.   Many p...
Read more

Importunity- Huh? Luke 11

Image
There is a story that Jesus tells in Luke Chapter 11, vs. 5-13. Many of us overlook all but the 9th verse. We want to skip right where it says "Ask, and it shall be given you, seek and ye shall find, knock and it shall be opened." That sounds pretty good.  However, the verses before and after verse 9 are significant to the meaning behind the story.  In the Bible, context is very important.  We need to understand what is being said, who it is being said to, why and by whom. In this case, Jesus had been off praying by himself and the disciples came to him asking to be taught how to pray. Jesus gives them a beautiful, respectful way to pray which becomes what we call the Lord's Prayer. He teaches them to pray for God's kingdom, His will to be done, our daily needs, and forgiveness.  All of these come from the Holy Spirit. Then He goes on with this story. [ 5]  And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto h...
Read more

What is stopping us?

Image
What stops us from doing what we know God has called us to do? I returned from my travels more than a week ago and I haven't written a word since I got home.  I haven't added to my book.  I haven't blogged.  I haven't even sent texts or messages to the Women's Fellowship group. Why?  The first few days, I told myself I was resting and didn't need to do anything for a while (except laundry). The next few days, I was busy - yes - that's it.  After that, I forgot about writing and just went about the duties of life.   During my trip I started this blog and started a new book because I knew that God wanted me to continue my work for Him, but for some reason, when I am home, it is difficult to follow through.  Do you have that problem too? Has God called you to do something, given you a passion for His work, or led you to take on something at church? Have you answered the call? I have been reading in Luke lately and there are many times that Jesus talk...
Read more