Feeding the hungry and clothe the naked

Dear brothers and sister,

I feel the need to bring up this subject again. Let me share something with you:

- Yesterday, I was taking a walk in my city. The weather was fine (not too hot not too cold) and at this time tourists are many and the streets were really crowed with people. As I was walking by one particular street, I noticed that there was a volume on the sidewalk. As I was approaching it, I realized it was a man lying on the ground with an empty soda glass in his hand. It was a beggar that seemed to be sleeping. The first thing that struck me was that no one seemed to care about him. People literally walked close to him and simply ignored the man.

I then decided to go talk to him. As he woke up I asked him if he was ok, gave him some money and asked if he was hungry. His answer was: "Yes, I am." After that I went to a shopping I bought food to him.

Now, this issue continues to puzzle me: I see dozens of beggars every day, many people comes to me asking for money, etc. Jesus says for us to feed the hunger but I keep thinking: "Is this person starving because he´s poor or because he simply doesn´t want to work?". Problem is that most of the times it´s very difficult to assess what kind of situation the person is in.

Bottom line:
- Should we act based on this kind of judgment (try to figure out if it´s someone who really needs or not) or feed and clothe all the beggars we find?


God bless you all!

Personally I don't give out money to people anymore unless I know it WON'T be used for drugs or alcohol or cigarettes. I mean, why should MY money fuel THEIR addictions? I don't think Jesus would want me contributing to their problems.

On the other side, I think Jesus would want us to give money (clothes, food, whatever) regardless of what it's used for. We've done OUR good deed in giving money to the less fortunate, it's on them what they do with it... I have no problem giving stuff away to others, I do it all the time. But as I said, I'm more careful with who I give money to.

Does it not also mention to do these things, “in my name?” Identifying to the individual that you are doing this on behalf of Christ, puts the perspective on Him, and not us. Cleaning out your closets, is different then giving the coat off of your back to a stranger. Along with the psychological inference that you are equals, it is a message of love. Having a homeless individual get a handout of people’s “throwaways” may contribute to one’s negative self image.

Of course when you act out of love instead of duty, it is hard to make a wrong decision.

I agree with you, sister. I tend no to give money in most situations.

But let us consider someone who doesn´t want to work and prefers to live for alms-giving. They are poor and they will be hungry. Does Jesus want for us to feed them in these cases?

As blue_ladybug mentioned, we have a problem in today's society:

- people who are lying on streets (except of some medical condition, of course) are mostly addicts, lazy, drunkards, on various kinds of narcotics

If you want to find a poor people to help, help people in Ukraine, Romania, help people in some underdeveloped country. Help some old people in villages. Help single mothers to pay school for their children. Help some poor Mexican family in your church. And similar. Help people who try, who struggle, who fight with life.

IMHO.

P.S.: there will always be some exception, it depends on the situation. Do not wonder that most people do not help beggars on streets, though. Experience is very bad with these people, generally.

I don't do it out of a sense of duty. I've given away furniture, shoes, clothes, etc all because I don't need it and want someone else to have it. "The coat off your back" can also mean clothes and shoes, not a literal jacket or coat..

And most homeless people are grateful for anything you give them. Be it a meal, money, something to drink or even just a simple smile. So "throwaways" do NOT add to their negative self-image, if they have one.

Well, we don't truly know their situation or why they're homeless or begging for money. Most people DO want to work for a living, and make money on their own. And most people who do beg, are rather embarassed at having to do so. For the ones who DON'T want to work and prefer to beg from others, well... I think Jesus would want us to help them as well. After all, they may be an angel in disguise. I'm sure many homeless people are angels in disguise. So why WOULDN'T we help them?

People beg for any number of reasons. Maybe it's to get a prescription filled, or to get at least one good meal. Or maybe to feed their dog or cat for one day. Maybe it's because they need alcohol or drugs or a cigarette.

We shouldn't just assume that because someone is homeless, that it's because they CHOOSE to be. Or that they're too lazy to work. That's judging them based on no evidence whatsoever..

I don't think you guys get it. You should invite the person to eat with you. go to a cheap buffet or a fast food place buy them something to eat! The money won't go up their nose, in their vein or down their throat but in their bellies where it belongs. my gosh, have mercy!
If you have time & money treat them like humans. I'm not saying go crusify yourselves but 'bum' isn't contagous! If they ask you for more later. You've done your part! Tell them 'bout jesus then via con dias bro.

So many people make a living by begging nowadays that it's usually very difficult for me to justify giving to them. Sad, but true. I just have to take it on a case by case basis. I really don't feel like giving my money to enable the bad habits of freeloaders/alcoholics/druggies.

My understanding, from personal experience and from people who work with the homeless regularly, is that many are indeed lazy or addicted. Some are mentally ill and aren't getting the help they need. Some are economically inept; they have indebted themselves into homelessness. Some are amazingly entitled.

A few are in genuine need. As others have noted, discerning which is which is challenging. This is why I also believe that charity should be done by the Church, face to face with personal knowledge of circumstances, rather than by the government, which doles out with little assessment and sometimes ridiculous requirements. Having interacted with people who get government benefits, I am disgusted by the greed, subterfuge, and outright fraud among those who are allegedly needy.

I occasionally give small amounts of money, usually with a spoken blessing, but I prefer to give through agencies that spend time with the people they help. That way there is a higher likelihood of the support being used wisely.

One more thought... I've come across a few people who are "Christians" who feel that God has told them to live by faith rather than work to support themselves. I have no problem with that, but the direction they receive from the Lord does not obligate me to "feel led" to support them.

It's true that many homeless people just buy drugs and quite a few actually make good money just standing there begging for money but me personally for the few i have actually come across I don't make any assumptions I will go outof my way to give them food and clothing and if i have it money too. it may seem naive and maybe not wise but I would rather be taken advantage of doing what my heart feels is right than to not give to a person who actually needs help

My answer is: if it is in your heart to give money to a homeless person; after that money leaves your hand, they can do whatever they want with it, because it's no longer yours.

There are plenty of PHONY BEGGARS. Jesus did not mean that Christians should encourage lazy rascals who wish to become parasites.

So Christians discernment is needed at all times. There was a story some time back about a bottle picker who was actually a millionaire.

https://www.treehugger.com/culture/how-a-can-collector-died-a-secret-millionaire.html

A friend once told me she saw a begger on the street. She had just went grocery shopping, so she decided to pull over. She opened her trunk and told the begger he could take all the groceries he wanted. He replied "I don't need food I need money."

The bible says to be as gentle as doves but as wise as serpents. There are places for the homeless that go about it the right way. They can look up their social security number and see if they are in real need. I'm not saying you should turn down every begger, but a little investigation and common sense are wise. If he clearly looks like he's starving I would give him food. If he didn't need food but still had a genuine need he would say "I need shelter" not "I need money." He would go into details about the help he needs, he would tell you his situation. But someone after money for drugs, cigarettes, and alcohol will not give you more detail other than they need money.

I have been homeless, stayed in homeless shelters, and talked to many homeless people. Rarely did I find one in genuine need. One owned a trailer yet still chose to live homeless on purpose, his story was in the paper. One stayed in shelters because she didn't want the responsibility of a house and a job. One kept being evicted because they were hoarders. Even as a homeless family (dad out swindling and two teenage kids) they had a shopping cart full of unnecessary junk, and their alley way space before the shelter was full of papers and garbage- it looked like a dumpster threw up.

But one lady was staying there because she was hiding from her husband who was trying to kill her. She ran out of time at battered women's shelters, so she chose to be homeless to stay in homeless shelters to keep hiding from him. He was a cop, so she was afraid to use her social security number for a job or apartment, thinking he'd find her.

The biggest percent of them are drugs, alcohol, etc. At a food pantry one asked for dog food for his dog. Excuse me? Why do you have a dog when you can't even afford to feed your family? He told me in the waiting room about all the expensive shots his dog has, grooming, toys, and on and on.

Most of the truly homeless go to Florida where it's warmer.

Don't stop helping, but be wise about it.

Prudence becomes a cheerful giver...

Most of the homeless in the US draw a check. Many when they get paid they will rent the cheap motel for a few days clean up and do what ever they do. Not the best money managers and end up broke before payday. Most of the older guy/gals I will help with a few bucks, a young healthy looking guy/gal may or may not help just depends. What would Jesus do, I say how ever you decide to handle the situation, it's not like we don't care. I have had many drunk friends through the years, hung out with them in their tent cities, had church them them. Most that I have known have had more faith than some church goers that I have known. They understand they could not make it if it was not for the Lord. I have witnessed some make miraculous recoveries, others enjoy the outdoor life ha. You can not judge them, it's like anything else in life, until you have been in their shoes you do not know what has gone on in the life that led to the situation.

Did God sacrifice his son for our sins because we deserved it? He did not. God paid the price of our sins because he loved us.
Just something to think about.

Whether by choice or misfortune the person is still starving. I commend you for the kindness you shown to the least of your brothers.

This is a complex issue -
we are often motivated by compassion to reach out and assist those in need; the down and out, etc.
but in the end how much of an impact do we make?

Strictly speaking the NT teaches us that charity and financial assistance and helping the poor is WITHIN the church, and
NOT to the outside world of unbelievers.
Those outside of the Christian faith and the church are to be envious of the love and care and compassion that
Christians extend to each other in the body of Christ.

I believe that the poor need to have the gospel of salvation preached to them and for their lifestyle problems that
often underlie their poverty of body and soul to be removed - for them to be set free.
Then one can with the help of others get their act together (so to speak) and improve their quality of life through
prayer for God's assistance and through Godly counsel and charitable support.

Jesus never set up a soup kitchen for the poor - he preached the gospel and gave the oppressed the opportunity
to be set free from their burdens and addictions and infirmities.
New lives, new people, hopefully in a supportive caring body of fellow believers.

Jesus did feed thousands fish and bread.