When People On Street Corners Ask You "For A Dollar or Two"...

[Robert J Hutton]

Warm Christian greetings!

As a street evangelist I sometimes get requests for money. Occasionaly I have responded by giving small change and a tract but often I find many people are simply "on the ear'ole" as we say in England. An example of this occured when I was in Margate, Kent - a man came up to me asking for money as it was his "birthday tomorrow". I noticed he had his hand behind his back. I had no money and politely told him so. As he walked away I noticed had been hiding a cigarette behind his back!

By all means help those in need, but be aware - there are many who are simply trying to use you because they know you are a Christian.

Kind regards

Robert J Hutton

 

[Johnv]

I NEVER give money. But I have offerred food. I've had only one person in 5 years take me up on it. In my area, there are several homeless shelters and kitchens that will feed and house you. All of them are running well below capacity. Recently, a man asked me for money, I asked for what, he said for food. I had no money, but I offerred to take him to the local shelter which was at the time serving lunch. He refused.

 

[latterrain77]

Isn’t it GOOD stewardship to help ANY man who is in need? This includes the homeless, the ill, and those who are simply misunderstood “down and outers.” Imagine what goes on in the minds of these folk, when they see the guy with the “Bible” in his hand giving them dirty looks!

Should we push those who are about to fall? Or, do we “lift them up” when they fall? I say LIFT EM UP!

Why not give such ones a few bucks when they ask? While you’re at it, why not tell them that the LORD loves them and cares about them too? Give them HOPE rather than a sneer. You’d be amazed how far a good deed can go.

Many of these folks are not “getting over” on you when you give them a buck or two. Even if some are, SO WHAT? Are you even envious of what little they struggle for? Often, many of these poor folk are simply AFRAID to eat the food and drink you offer them. How do they know it is safe or wholesome? You offer them an old can of beans that you were preparing to throw away. With a few bucks, they can buy their own food and KNOW that it is safe and wholesome. Why add insult to the paranoia that many of these poor souls suffer from.

Isn’t it arrogant for any of us to ask a man to “work” when he asks us for something? A GIFT is supposed to be unearned - by definition! Did GOD ask YOU to “work” or “earn” your salvation? GOD FORBID. GOD gave you salvation as a gift – FREE – and without charge (Rom. 6: 23). Why not follow HIS example in such things as this?

Please understand, that not all men are capable of physically working (i.e. those ill, those confused, those hopeless). Isn’t it irresponsible, and puffed up, for us to demand that such ones “work” when they are incapable of doing so? A man needs to be “whole” in order to work. Do you go to work when you are sick? Usually not. You stay at home until you feel better. Well, an ill man first needs to HEAL – and THEN he can go to work. How will he ever heal if your angry face grimaces every time that you look upon him? Why not HELP him? Why hurt him any more than he already is hurting?

Share the Bible with such ones, and all men, (try Matt. 5, or 1 John 1: 9 ). The LORD embraced outcasts (Matt. 11: 19, etc). Who are we to take an attitude that would be otherwise?

latterrain77

[ August 08, 2002, 08:15 PM: Message edited by: latterrain77 ]

 

[Abiyah]

Latterrain --

I would have to disagree with you. 8o) Some
people are in that position by choice, when
they could have a better life; they just don't
put out the effort. To help such, we become
their enablers.

I had a bad experience with this. A young
couple came by the church I used to attend.
I gave them clothing, food, utensils, etc. Every
Sunday, they came back, and every Sunday, I
fed them. It took me a long time to realize
that I was doing exactly what they needed me
to do to maintain an undesireable lifestyle.

The homeless break my heart, and I remain a
soft touch, but I have learned not to give to the
same ones over and over.

I have also learned to memorize faces, because
the stories of poverty change with the change
of the begging-corner, and the leg in the brace
can become an arm in a cast on a different side
of town. Even the blind become miraculously
sighted when they are out of their territories.

 

[Justified]

Latter,

1)It's not good stewartship to throw the Lords money away. Just because a man wants help, doesn't mean he needs it. And most of these people are not dumb or stupid either. They know exactly what they are doing. Mooching your money!

2)If they are truely down and out, then I say that the Lord would have us to help them. Now, if you give the Lords money to those who are truely bums, then you won't have the money to give to those who truely need it! So you see, that you are not pushing those who appear to be falling.

3) You help them by showing them have to work and make a living for them selves, and that way they will be off the street. So, take them into your house and clean them and feed them and teach them. You'd be amazed how far that will go!

4)And Latter, wake up and smell the beans! These people are not too proud to ask or beg for a hand out, and if you give them beans, WAIT A MINUTE! Beans are a very nurishing food and happen to be a fravorite of many people. So, who are you kidding? And most of them would not buy food with that couple of dollars anyway!

5) You also need to learn how to apply Biblical principles to human life. You don't take Bible verses out of context to fit your feelings and needs. Yes, the salvation that Jesus gave us, is a free gift. And you know what? He offers the same salvation to the street people, also. For the same price, His Blood! So, don't confuse Salvation with handouts.

6) Yes, those that are truely in need because they can't help them selves or physically not able to, then a whole hearted "AMEN", help them.

7) Yes, share the Gospel with all of them!

 

[LadyEagle]

Justified: I am praying for you & your family.

Been there. Know what it's like & it ain't fun. And, yes, I came to learn the truth that it IS more blessed to give than receive.

Dear Father God, Giver of All Good Things, but Mostly for Your Precious Son Jesus, I pray you will bless my brother in Christ and his family. Provide for them, God, out of the goodness of Your Almighty Hand. Give him strength to go thru this testing of his faith. May he keep looking up to you for all needs, financial and spiritual. Water his soul with Your peace and love. Shower him with your blessings. I ask that You meet every need, that You provide him with an excellent employment so he can support his family, and that You continue to feed, clothe, and shelter his family. Cause the hearts of others to generously give. Thank You, Jesus, that You are always there for us and keep us in Your love and care. Provide for his children's needs, too, Lord, as school is around the corner. Bless his wife. Meet his family's emotional needs. And Bless, pour out many blessings from Your hands upon him and his family, so he can look up with gratitude and know, beyond any doubt, that You will never let him down. And that every good gift and every perfect gift comes from You. In Jesus Name, I thank and praise You. I praise the Almighty Name of Jesus. Amen and Amen.

 

[LadyEagle]

B.T. We have a man in the Nashville area who stands on an off ramp to Church Street.

When I moved from there 3 years ago, he used to stand at the exit ramp from I-40 to Broadway. He must have moved. LOL! I did give him money, though. He would be there every day while we were waiting for the light to change and make the left-hand turn. LOL!

 

[latterrain77]

Hi Justified. Thank you for your thoughts. Let’s start here:

1 John 3: 17 “But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?”

Matt. 10: 42 “And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.”

How do you know which man is in REAL need or which one is trying to “get over?” The answer is – we DON’T know! You call these men “bums” and “moochers.” That sounds very arrogant to me justified. Please re-read Matt. 5: 22.

Matt. 5: 22 “But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.”

It is not necessary to take a person into your physical house as you suggest. We are talking about GIVING a few bucks to men who have fallen on hard times. No one is asking you to become a LANDLORD!

Even if these men did not buy “food” with the money, as you fear – that is not our concern. That is between them and the LORD. Are you as concerned about such things with the money you spend for what you WANT? Do you stop and wonder if the guy you bought your car from is going to use the money to buy things that you disapprove of? When you buy a pair of jeans, do you say; “oh, I better not buy these jeans because the man who gets my money might go down to the bar and buy a drink with it?” Of course you don’t say such things. So, why is it any different here?

I don’t take Biblical verses out of context. I take the verses to mean EXACTLY what they say (like the verses that I have provided above for your review).

No one (including yourself) wants an old can of discarded beans and that is why you are so quick to discard them. Are you aware that many people are unable to properly digest beans (especially so of folk with taxed digestive systems)?

Justified, it seems you think these poor folks are barely worth a “can of beans.” Why?

latterrain77

 

[AF Guy N Paradise]

Originally posted by Robert J Hutton:
Warm Christian greetings!

As a street evangelist I sometimes get requests for money. Occasionaly I have responded by giving small change and a tract but often I find many people are simply "on the ear'ole" as we say in England. An example of this occured when I was in Margate, Kent - a man came up to me asking for money as it was his "birthday tomorrow". I noticed he had his hand behind his back. I had no money and politely told him so. As he walked away I noticed had been hiding a cigarette behind his back!

By all means help those in need, but be aware - there are many who are simply trying to use you because they know you are a Christian.

Kind regards

Robert J Hutton

Mr. Hutton, check your private messages from me..........

 

[onevoice]

In addition to being an Evangelist I work for a Community Action Agency. These agencies were created in the mid to late 60's in response to the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964. The goal of our agencies (and there is an outreach office in each county of the country)is to teach individuals how to get off of welfare and off of the streets. We offer Financial Counseling, Employment counseling, Nutrition counseling, Crisis Prevention Counseling, Emergency payment of food and shelter expenses if needed. We control the LIHEAP program, the USDA Surplus Foods Distribution, some offer food pantry's, payee programs, etc. The best part is that all of the clients are tracked and made to stick with a case management plan. All of the churhes in my area refer everyone in need to my office. If we can not pay with Federal, State, or donated funds on a client that is really in need, the churches will pay the bills. It is a wonderful program that should be utilized, but for some reason it is not advertised (we get no funds for that) and are often hidden in the shadows of other DHR programs. These programs will take care of these people if they have nothing to hide. I see more cases of fraud in my office than I do legit clients. Refer these people to such agencies and if you feel compelled to help them, volunteer at your local Community Action Agency. They always need help.

 

[Aaron]

When People On Street Corners Ask You "For A Dollar or Two"...do you give it to them?

Yes, I do.

 

[Justified]

OK!

I am sitting here on this board, in need of your money! OH! Please! I'm a worthy cause, I have 9 starving children,(well, almost), and we don't have enough to pay the rent, the bills, and etc...

OH! PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASE! HELP ME!

PLEASE! PLEASE! FEEL SORRY FOR ME!

BUT, JUST GIVE ME MONEY!
********************************************

You guys have no idea who I am, or me real needs!

Just like on the corners, you have no idea if they are SINcere, or SINcerely SINning! Anybody can get ragged clothing and not shave for a couple of days, and put on an act!

If you give to those who are proffessional mooches, then you love them right into HELL!

That is why, if the Lord leads you to help those who are in need, then it is your responsiblity to do your best to make sure they are truely in need.

The other way to look at it is, if you give that couple of dollars to the wrong person, for instance the professional mooch, then the one that was truely in need,that was suppose to get it, WON'T!

The other point is, that most of these people know where the rescue missions are, and know that they can get food and sometimes clothing and medical attention there, also. So, why don't they go there? Because the recue missions won't give them money, cigarettes, drugs and/or booze! And while they are there, they will be presented with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which in most cases they don't want to hear.(just yet, anyway)

"It is always better to stand up for conservatism, then to fall into liberalism" Justified Version

[ August 16, 2002, 12:03 PM: Message edited by: Justified ]

 

[Aaron]

"Are there no prisons? Are there no workhouses?"

If I err, I would rather err on the side of generosity.

[ August 10, 2002, 03:10 PM: Message edited by: Aaron ]

 

[Justified]

Originally posted by Aaron:
"Are there no prisons? Are there no workhouses?"

If I err, I would rather err on the side of generosity.

It's such a shame that Christians would take such a liberal view of God's Word just to appease their emotions/feelings.

To make one's self feel better and deliberately LOVE someone right into Hell!

"It is always better to stand up for conservatism, then to fall into liberalism" Justified Version

[ August 16, 2002, 12:04 PM: Message edited by: Justified ]

 

[Aaron]

The question was, "When People On Street Corners Ask You For A Dollar or Two...do you give it to them?"

I know nothing about the people on the street corner. Who knows whether any particular individual is in any real need? Would you really begrudge them dollar or two?

[ August 11, 2002, 05:55 PM: Message edited by: Aaron ]

 

[Justified]

Originally posted by Aaron:
I know nothing about the people on the street corner. Who knows whether any particular individual is in any real need? Would you really begrudge them dollar or two?

YES! I would! If you cannot qualify their motives, then I would not give them anything but a Gospel tract. It really only takes a couple of seconds to find out.

I will say that there would be times that the Lord would really lay on my heart to help some one, and at that time I would.

But to radomly give to someone just because they appear to be needy, No I don't.

"It is always better to stand up for conservatism, then to fall into liberalism" Justified Version

[ August 14, 2002, 11:23 PM: Message edited by: Justified ]

 

[boris99]

I have a friend who keeps McDonalds gift certificates in his car to give out when such an occasion arises. Not a bad idea... only one place they can spend them! Might do that myself...

 

[stubbornkelly]

I like the Salvation Army's approach: Soup, Soap, Salvation. Notice which comes last. Even if people reject gospel, they will still be assisted. As it should be. I can't put strings on my generosity, and that includes requiring someone to come to church or take a tract or listen to gospel. It's a personal choice that I have made not to qualify my giving in that way.

There are plenty of people I don't give to. But I'm not willing to become so cynical that I refuse to give to anyone because of a maybe. I can be cynical, definitely, but I can't run my life playing the "what-if"s.

It's very sad to me, that many people tend to ignore the guy standing on the street, yet coo at the dog tied to the fire hydrant while its owner goes into a store. I know, I know - it's the few who take advantage who make it bad for everyone (want to talk about the myth of the welfare queen??

), but that doesn't make it any less hard to watch.

We can never know any other person's motives absolutely. If I lived my life not doing, not giving, not helping because I didn't know a person's motives, I'd be a very empty person. We take the most important part of our lives on faith, yet our worldly cynicism has led us to distrust brothers and sisters, to deny benefit of the doubt. That is the bigger issue in my mind. I'm not saying we shouldn't have a healthy skepticism of things, lest we allow ourselves to be hugely taken advantage of, but neither do I believe we should hearden our hearts to the point of too much cynicism.

 

[crazycat]

One sunday morning right after church we had a hispanic man with broken English ask the Pastor for money for food, he stated he was hungy. the Pastor said he would give him some work to do around the church for food, The man claimed "no hablo english" then. He could ask for money for food in english, but did not undrstand working for food! The pastor then told the young man to come back to chrch tonight and he would have some food for him. the young man said "No hablo English" When the Pastor refused to budge on his offer, the man cursed in clear english at the pastor and rode away on his bicycle.

II Thessalonians 3:10 that if any would not work, neither should he eat. Is pretty clear on what God thinks of this issue.

 

[Justified]

Crazycat,

This is exactly what I have been trying to bring out. A lot of these people are phonies and make their living as professional bums!

It only takes seconds to qualify if they are truely in need. And then if they buffalo you after that, then they will be held accountable to the Lord for decieving one of His children.

But then at least we have a clear conscience about being a good stewart of the Lords' money and provisions.

"It is always better to stand up for conservatism, then to fall into liberalism" Justified Version