What would you do? (one more time)

[Preachers12]

Brethren in Christ, God give you Peace.

Here is the scenario.

You are on your lunch hour. When you went to eat, you walked past what looked like a homeless man who was asking people for handouts on the street very near the liquor store. He was soliciting people going the other way from you, so he did not see you. You observed that he was wearing dirty, ragged clothing which was not warm enough for the current weather, had a padded roll for sleeping nearby and an old backpack with clothing and papers sticking out. He was an older man, had some sort of beverage still in a paper bag sticking out of a pocket and he reeked of alcohol and body odor.

After lunch, as you walk back to work, you see him again ahead of you on the next block. This time, you know that he will see you and ask you for money.

Edit: Assume in all options that you will pray for this man.

What do you do?

God Bless,
P12

PS - I am not going to continue with double postings of fellowship posts on both PRE and OBOB and given that there is no IDD, I ask people of all faiths to please participate.

[Arikereba]

I live in an area where this is close to a daily occurence for me except when the weather is so bad that I don't go out at all. If I were to give any amount of money that would make a difference to all of the homeless people I saw, I would be broke fast. That doesn't justify my not helping someone out. I know. But I'm unemployed and have no money besides what my parents give me; I can't justify spending their money just so I can feel good about myself while probably not even making a real difference, either.

[JillLars]

I would offer to buy the man lunch, assuming I had the money to do so (which is not always possible). Given the circumstances you mentioned above, I don't think it would be presumptious to assume he would spend any cash received on alcohol. I would also suggest different shelters to him, and offer him a ride if he needed one.

I am taking a course on drugs and alcohol abuse right now, and my professor used to work at a liquor store, and by the time a lot of people like the man you mentioned above would start to sober up, the physical withdrawal, and emotional pain was so overwhelming that they would be literally crying and begging my professor to give them something to drink. Alcoholism has some of the most painful and dangerous withdrawal symptoms of any drug, and imagine the emotional heartache that goes along with that. I think its important to have compassion without feeding the problem.

[ByzantineDixie]

I would like to think I would stop, listen to the man's story, take him somewhere warm to eat, find him a shelter....but I don't think I would. The scenario as "coming back from lunch to return to work" would make me think that I had limited options and conveniently limit my need for involvement. I'd give the guy some money and move on.

So what a slap of harsh reality for me this Friday morning...to face this side of my heart has not been pleasant but it has been valuable. May God have mercy on me and may the Holy Spirit soften my heart and equip me to do good works. :prayer:

Rose

[Preachers12]

I would like to think I would stop, listen to the man's story, take him somewhere warm to eat, find him a shelter....but I don't think I would. The scenario as "coming back from lunch to return to work" would make me think that I had limited options and conveniently limit my need for involvement. I'd give the guy some money and move on.

So what a slap of harsh reality for me this Friday morning...to face this side of my heart has not been pleasant but it has been valuable. May God have mercy on me and may the Holy Spirit soften my heart and equip me to do good works. :prayer:

Rose
Rose, God give you Peace.

Yes, the returning from eating was intentional as it would require a greater sacrifice which could even have repurcussions (ie. the boss!). It also is there in hopes that people would consider how they might reflect during lunch after having passed this man, knowing that they might see him again as they return.

Thanks for sharing the beautiful reflection!

In fact, thanks to everybody so far for their honest input. After we get more votes and discussion, I have a reflection that I would like to share. All glory to God!

God Bless,
P12

[dsdumpling]

I hope that I would stop and listen to his story and buy him something to eat. The plight of the homeless is on my heart daily. I live in a small town and don't see this, but I'm sure it's there.

[eldermike]

I would offer to take him to a shelter, I know a very good one and I know the staff. In 99.9 percent of cases He/she will say no thanks. There are so many underlying reasons that require professional help, that I refuse to allow my guilt or fear to get in the way of leading them to real help.

I have given money to people that refused to go, but it was my guilt that was helped and not their situation.

Good thread!

.

[InquisitorKind]

I live in NYC. There are so many homeless people that I would be broke, and late for practically everything, if I stopped and helped all the time with anything more than cash. (I have considered carrying around an extra lunch to hand out to someone during the day as a viable alternative.)

I personally send my money to organizations, groups, etc. that help the poor, rather than to the homeless directly, where it is sometimes misused to further addictions to drugs or alcohol.

~Matt

[nyj]

A topic worthy of reflection, that's for sure P12!

In the past, when I have seen people in these circumstances, I have bought them lunch while I was buying my own ( maybe this is a benefit of places such as McDonalds? :) ) and on my way back to work, have handed it to them as I was on my way. At the same time, like eldermike, I know of a very good shelter where I live ( The Jesus House ) and I've given them a card with the address (which is actually not far from the place that I go to lunch... well within walking distance). Like InquisitorKind though, I reserve most of my donations (time and money) to charities which can stretch a dollar better than I can to help the poor. The St. Vincent de Paul Society is such a charitable organization which I wholeheartedly recommend for support for anyone looking to contribute to helping the poor.

[Bastoune]

I live in NYC. There are so many homeless people that I would be broke, and late for practically everything, if I stopped and helped all the time with anything more than cash. (I have considered carrying around an extra lunch to hand out to someone during the day as a viable alternative.)

I personally send my money to organizations, groups, etc. that help the poor, rather than to the homeless directly, where it is sometimes misused to further addictions to drugs or alcohol.

~Matt
Howdy, neighbor! We've gotta go for coffee sometime! I live in NYC as well.

Me, I have had bad experiences in trying to be generous, so I am very reserved, but basically, I let the Lord's gift of discernment to me judge whether or not the person would waste the money or not. If the person is a drug-user, and they ask for money, I will tell them why I am not giving them any and tell them to get help. And if a homeless person refuses food, then you know the would blow the money if you give it to them on something unhealthy.

In most cases, I do bring food and maybe give a dollar or something, but most importantly, I recognize the dignity of the human being. Maybe the person "deserves" to be there (by societal standards) for their own abuses, but we are all imperfect, and in cold, harsh weather, they too (in spite of their addictions) are suffering and we are called by our Lord to aid them. Therefore, a kind word, a handshake, a touch, a look in the eye, and a smile, anything, along with the "donation" of food or money goes a long way to edify the person in need and does more than the material help. Pray that God will use that moment to touch their hearts. (In the words of St. Francis of Assisi, "Preach the Gospel constantly; use words when necessary.") Never underestimate the power of PRAYER when you are with them.

Like NYJ I too would prefer to save my $ for charitable organizations.

[jbarcher]

I live in NYC. There are so many homeless people that I would be broke, and late for practically everything, if I stopped and helped all the time with anything more than cash. (I have considered carrying around an extra lunch to hand out to someone during the day as a viable alternative.)

I personally send my money to organizations, groups, etc. that help the poor, rather than to the homeless directly, where it is sometimes misused to further addictions to drugs or alcohol.

~Matt

I would have to say the same. Then again, I'm a youngish young-ling, so my ability in terms of helping w/survival needs isn't as good..

[Holy Warrior]

I live in a city too, and have similar problems- i simply cannot afford to give money out to everyone I meet. If I had a spare pound in my pocket may give it to someone, but more often than not I don't. I feel horrible that I can't help more than I do.

However, regarding the point that they would only spend it on drugs/alcohol, it's something I heard someone preach on recently. They made the point that it's not up to you what they do with any money you give them, it's between them and God. The onus is on you to help in the first place, whether financially or otherwise.

I'm thinking of fasting one lunchtime a week and giving the money to someone who needs it more.

[A. believer]

Brethren in Christ, God give you Peace.

Here is the scenario.

You are on your lunch hour. When you went to eat, you walked past what looked like a homeless man who was asking people for handouts on the street very near the liquor store. He was soliciting people going the other way from you, so he did not see you. You observed that he was wearing dirty, ragged clothing which was not warm enough for the current weather, had a padded roll for sleeping nearby and an old backpack with clothing and papers sticking out. He was an older man, had some sort of beverage still in a paper bag sticking out of a pocket and he reeked of alcohol and body odor.

After lunch, as you walk back to work, you see him again ahead of you on the next block. This time, you know that he will see you and ask you for money.

Edit: Assume in all options that you will pray for this man.

What do you do?

God Bless,
P12

PS - I am not going to continue with double postings of fellowship posts on both PRE and OBOB and given that there is no IDD, I ask people of all faiths to please participate.
Hi P12,

Where I live, there are generally two kinds of scenarios where I see people who are obviously "down and out." Sometimes I see them in strip malls, and oftentimes these people aren't even asking for money. Once I even saw a guy going through a trash can looking for food, which is a very uncommon occurrence in my town and the surrounding towns of Silicon Valley. In these cases, I approach them and ask them if I can buy them something to eat. The only time I was refused by anyone was once when a woman was standing in the parking lot of a grocery store/strip mall asking people for money. She was a regular there, and apparently she had no interest in taking time out from her "post" to go with me to get something to eat. When people do, specifically, ask for money, I tell them that I don't give money to people on the street as a general principle, but I'll be happy to get them a meal. That was the case with the woman I just referred to, but in most cases, they will take time out to go with me to a nearby food establishment to choose something to eat.

The other scenario is the people who stand on the end of highway exit ramps trying to catch people at the red light. They hold up signs that say things like, "Homeless veteran. Will work for food." and the like. I never give to these people, since a) I don't give cash, and b) I feel they're being very manipulative. They know that people only have a minute or so, and no one is going to ask them to work. I just feel that they're playing on people's guilt complex.

If I lived or worked in a city where I ran across half a dozen people begging during any given hour on the street, I'd obviously have to alter my response a little or my family and I would be begging, ourselves, in a few weeks time. I'd probably just ask God to guide me as to whom to respond to.

[Wilfred of Ivanhoe]

This is a very good thread.

I live in a small town, and everyone knows the homeless by name. We have have two. Their stories are different. I know these two from the years I worked at the local grocery store.

The first person's story is a little amazing, and I do not know how much has been embellished by gossip. He was captured in Vietnam and held in prison until 1982. He returned so psychologically damaged that he chooses to live homeless and walk the streets. The government gives him more money than I make a year so I see no reason to financially help him. When I carried out groceries I always spoke friendly to him and asked him how he was doing. Beyond that I really wouldn't know what to do for him.

The other man did drugs in high school and lost his mother in his early twenties. These two did so much damage to his mind that he walks the streets and seeks aid at local churches. Most all carryout/stockers make fun of him. I know the checkers don't like him because he is rude. No doubt he's rude because most people ignore or make fun of him. However, I feel compassion for him even if he did have a hand in his own condition. How am I any better than this man? I give him money most everytime I see him.

There are other people who need aid besides the homeless. There's a lady who used to drive a school bus that lives underneath my apartment. She's always been alone and has no family. Recently she had a heart attack and can no longer work. I have helped her out once by paying $50.00 on her rent much, without letting her know its me, but I feel God telling me that that's not enough. She doesn't just need money to pay for rent. She needs compassion, company and love to sustain her.

The problem with our society is that it is so self-centured. We busy ourselves so much that we do not have time for those who need us. I know I need to work on this in my life.

[Lotar]

I don't live in NYC, but there are plenty of homeless people by my work. I used to give out money, but after being there a while, I see that a lot are scammers and most the rest take the money to the local bar or liquor store and continue to eat out of the trash. Now, if I see someone who appears sincere I'll help them out.

[nyj]

She doesn't just need money to pay for rent. She needs compassion, company and love to sustain her.

Wilfred of Ivanhoe,

Now that's a Christian response if I ever heard one! How often do we think that by simply throwing money at something, the problem will go away?!?! Probably more times than I care to imagine!

Charity comes from the heart, not the wallet.

Thank you for making that point.

[Preachers12]

Brethren in Christ, God give you Peace.

Thanks for all the wonderful participation! I admit to being a bit surprised at the number of people who would be willing to suffer the consequences of returning to work later than expected from their lunch hour in order to take this man to lunch! That is outstanding!

It is with much trepidation that I share this story. As you read it, I only ask that you know that I am nothing. I am but dust whose physical being is only animated through the breath of God. That I only have a chance at eternal life because of the infinite mercy and love of God, Who, through and with Jesus and the Holy Spirit, has graced me with His very presence through the Sacrament of Baptism. That anything I have done, do and will do which might even remotely resemble something good are only possible because of Him and serve only to bring glory to Him. Alone, I am capable of nothing good. This story serves to show the glory, mercy and love of God.

The story in the OP is close to something that happened a couple of weeks ago to me. I have to go into Washington DC at least once a month. I take the train (VRE) when I make these trips. Because of the train schedule, I found that I had about 90 minutes to spare after my meeting was done in DC. There is a beautiful old Church near where my meeting was held called St. Patrick (I think it is at the corner of 9th and G, very near the MCI Center). I elected to not eat lunch and go spend this time in prayer in the Church. I did not see any people asking for handouts as I walked to the Church.

After spending some time in prayer, I made my way out. But rather than walk up the center aisle as usual, I cut over to a side aisle to view a large nativity set that was there. This caused me to go out of a side door into the main entrance area (still inside the Church). I was reading a flyer I had picked up, so I had my head down. In my peripheral, I saw that I was walking towards a person.

I looked up to avoid a collision, only to find that it was not a person. It was a life-sized Cross, with the Body of Christ on it. It was not mounted up high, so that I was literally about face to face with the Corpus. I have been in this Church many times and never noticed this Cross there before. Drawn to it, I stood before it, contemplating His wounds, His face, His sacrifice. Mostly, His love. Agape. A love totally beyond our comprehension. I prayed that He increase my faith.

Tears welled up as I faced my own sin, my utter unworthiness. It is me who adds to His pain. It was my sin that He gave His life for. And who am I? Nothing. A walking pile of dust. Utterly incapable of anything good without Him. Here I stood before the Cross. So unworthy, yet so loved. It was very humbling, to say the least.

After a short time, I left the Church. Immediately as I exited the front doors and began walking down the front steps, I saw coming down the street from the direction that I would be going, a man who I could already tell had targeted me to ask for a handout. As we approached one another, I stopped.

He was a short, stocky, black man, perhaps in his early sixties, with a large gray beard and clothes which were not only tattered, dirty and stunk of alcohol and urine, but were useless in providing protection against the incredibly cold weather we were having that week. He began telling me a story about prescription drugs, but I interrupted him and very nicely asked him if he was living on the street and how I could help. He said yes and that he needed money.

At that moment, I could see in my mind an image of myself, not even two minutes earlier, standing face to face with the Cross, overlayed with an image of me standing before this man. It was as if seeing it from a third person point of view. And God bestowed a special grace at that moment. He allowed me to feel just a tiny, miniscule, molecule sized amount of agape. Even that is more than we, as humans, can bear.

As I stood before the Cross (as we all stand before the Cross always in petitioning Jesus for temporal and spiritual assistance), asking things of Jesus, I was no different than that homeless man standing before me then. In my unworthiness, I am no different at all from that man. And yet how does Jesus respond to my requests!? He gives me a gift that is far greater than anything any man could ever ask for or hope to gain on his own. He gives eternal life. He gives the gift of being in the very presence of God, experiencing and becoming agape, for all eternity!

And does He care that I may squander that gift? NO!!! He gives and gives abundantly. Even KNOWING exactly what I will do with His gifts!

I was never one to give to people on the street. In fact, given my particular occupation, I am about as skeptical in giving money to people and organizations as anyone can be.

Had it occurred to me how this man might spend the cash I gave him given that he stunk of alcohol and that there was a liquor store less than a block away? Of course. But so what?

Thank you Jesus for not withholding Your gifts, knowing with certainty how we will abuse them ourselves! And for giving again and again to us as we return again and again, sinful, needful, helpless and, ourselves, homeless!

It is not about the gift. It is about the giving. It is about love.

I gave him some cash and my scarf. As I put the scarf around his neck, I gave him a huge hug. I can still feel his scratchy beard on the back of my neck. I cannot express how wonderful that hug felt. I told him “God Bless you and thanks” as I saw tears welling up even in his old, tired eyes.

As I walked away, the weight of the grace (a mere iota of agape) came full force on me. It was all I could do to even stand. I was sobbing like a child who had just lost a parent. My jaw was shaking uncontrollably, I was staggering, tears were pouring out of my eyes and mucus streamed from my nose (what a spectacle I must have been!). We humans cannot bear such love. But think how wonderful heaven will be!!!!! I know now what it will feel like and I can testify that IT IS WONDERFUL!!!!! What LOVE!!!!!

I recovered my faculties by the time I got to the train station. Just in time, I might add, for my meeting with Satan, who came and sat next to me. Given the grace that I had just been blessed with, I should have expected him. But I didn’t truly recognize that it was him to late that night, during prayer, before bed. By the grace of God, he failed. But that is another story.

Never again will I dare to care how someone who asks me for something will use or misuse what I might give them. We are called to imitate Jesus. He died for us, giving us a gift greater than any other. He gives that gift knowing exactly how we will abuse it. Knowing that we do not and cannot fully appreciate it. To imitate Jesus is to love. I have felt agape and nothing can be the same anymore.

Don’t get me wrong, I am not saying that we should abandon caution and/or give to the point of jeopardizing our ability to meet financial and other obligations in our imitation of Jesus. To do so would be contrary to His word. But we must do all that we reasonably can. Maybe even a bit more. Regardless, we cannot do nothing. If we do, how dare we approach and stand before our Lord asking of Him!? How might he respond to us in our final judgement?

I am but dust. Dead. Only animated through the breath of God. And only made alive through Jesus.

God Bless,

P12

[A. believer]

Brethren in Christ, God give you Peace.

Thanks for all the wonderful participation! I admit to being a bit surprised at the number of people who would be willing to suffer the consequences of returning to work later than expected from their lunch hour in order to take this man to lunch! That is outstanding!

It is with much trepidation that I share this story. As you read it, I only ask that you know that I am nothing. I am but dust whose physical being is only animated through the breath of God. That I only have a chance at eternal life because of the infinite mercy and love of God, Who, through and with Jesus and the Holy Spirit, has graced me with His very presence through the Sacrament of Baptism. That anything I have done, do and will do which might even remotely resemble something good are only possible because of Him and serve only to bring glory to Him. Alone, I am capable of nothing good. This story serves to show the glory, mercy and love of God.

The story in the OP is close to something that happened a couple of weeks ago to me. I have to go into Washington DC at least once a month. I take the train (VRE) when I make these trips. Because of the train schedule, I found that I had about 90 minutes to spare after my meeting was done in DC. There is a beautiful old Church near where my meeting was held called St. Patrick (I think it is at the corner of 9th and G, very near the MCI Center). I elected to not eat lunch and go spend this time in prayer in the Church. I did not see any people asking for handouts as I walked to the Church.

After spending some time in prayer, I made my way out. But rather than walk up the center aisle as usual, I cut over to a side aisle to view a large nativity set that was there. This caused me to go out of a side door into the main entrance area (still inside the Church). I was reading a flyer I had picked up, so I had my head down. In my peripheral, I saw that I was walking towards a person.

I looked up to avoid a collision, only to find that it was not a person. It was a life-sized Cross, with the Body of Christ on it. It was not mounted up high, so that I was literally about face to face with the Corpus. I have been in this Church many times and never noticed this Cross there before. Drawn to it, I stood before it, contemplating His wounds, His face, His sacrifice. Mostly, His love. Agape. A love totally beyond our comprehension. I prayed that He increase my faith.

Tears welled up as I faced my own sin, my utter unworthiness. It is me who adds to His pain. It was my sin that He gave His life for. And who am I? Nothing. A walking pile of dust. Utterly incapable of anything good without Him. Here I stood before the Cross. So unworthy, yet so loved. It was very humbling, to say the least.

After a short time, I left the Church. Immediately as I exited the front doors and began walking down the front steps, I saw coming down the street from the direction that I would be going, a man who I could already tell had targeted me to ask for a handout. As we approached one another, I stopped.

He was a short, stocky, black man, perhaps in his early sixties, with a large gray beard and clothes which were not only tattered, dirty and stunk of alcohol and urine, but were useless in providing protection against the incredibly cold weather we were having that week. He began telling me a story about prescription drugs, but I interrupted him and very nicely asked him if he was living on the street and how I could help. He said yes and that he needed money.

At that moment, I could see in my mind an image of myself, not even two minutes earlier, standing face to face with the Cross, overlayed with an image of me standing before this man. It was as if seeing it from a third person point of view. And God bestowed a special grace at that moment. He allowed me to feel just a tiny, miniscule, molecule sized amount of agape. Even that is more than we, as humans, can bear.

As I stood before the Cross (as we all stand before the Cross always in petitioning Jesus for temporal and spiritual assistance), asking things of Jesus, I was no different than that homeless man standing before me then. In my unworthiness, I am no different at all from that man. And yet how does Jesus respond to my requests!? He gives me a gift that is far greater than anything any man could ever ask for or hope to gain on his own. He gives eternal life. He gives the gift of being in the very presence of God, experiencing and becoming agape, for all eternity!

And does He care that I may squander that gift? NO!!! He gives and gives abundantly. Even KNOWING exactly what I will do with His gifts!

I was never one to give to people on the street. In fact, given my particular occupation, I am about as skeptical in giving money to people and organizations as anyone can be.

Had it occurred to me how this man might spend the cash I gave him given that he stunk of alcohol and that there was a liquor store less than a block away? Of course. But so what?

Thank you Jesus for not withholding Your gifts, knowing with certainty how we will abuse them ourselves! And for giving again and again to us as we return again and again, sinful, needful, helpless and, ourselves, homeless!

It is not about the gift. It is about the giving. It is about love.

I gave him some cash and my scarf. As I put the scarf around his neck, I gave him a huge hug. I can still feel his scratchy beard on the back of my neck. I cannot express how wonderful that hug felt. I told him “God Bless you and thanks” as I saw tears welling up even in his old, tired eyes.

As I walked away, the weight of the grace (a mere iota of agape) came full force on me. It was all I could do to even stand. I was sobbing like a child who had just lost a parent. My jaw was shaking uncontrollably, I was staggering, tears were pouring out of my eyes and mucus streamed from my nose (what a spectacle I must have been!). We humans cannot bear such love. But think how wonderful heaven will be!!!!! I know now what it will feel like and I can testify that IT IS WONDERFUL!!!!! What LOVE!!!!!

I recovered my faculties by the time I got to the train station. Just in time, I might add, for my meeting with Satan, who came and sat next to me. Given the grace that I had just been blessed with, I should have expected him. But I didn’t truly recognize that it was him to late that night, during prayer, before bed. By the grace of God, he failed. But that is another story.

Never again will I dare to care how someone who asks me for something will use or misuse what I might give them. We are called to imitate Jesus. He died for us, giving us a gift greater than any other. He gives that gift knowing exactly how we will abuse it. Knowing that we do not and cannot fully appreciate it. To imitate Jesus is to love. I have felt agape and nothing can be the same anymore.

Don’t get me wrong, I am not saying that we should abandon caution and/or give to the point of jeopardizing our ability to meet financial and other obligations in our imitation of Jesus. To do so would be contrary to His word. But we must do all that we reasonably can. Maybe even a bit more. Regardless, we cannot do nothing. If we do, how dare we approach and stand before our Lord asking of Him!? How might he respond to us in our final judgement?

I am but dust. Dead. Only animated through the breath of God. And only made alive through Jesus.

God Bless,

P12
What a wonderful blessing you received! And I understand your point, but I must admit that I'd still choose to give a meal.

[Cathologetics]

Some cash. I would take him for something to eat but my work is tight on the lunch hour thing. Maybe I would do that if I had more time.

[bigsierra]

Hmm, I must say, I usually take the avoidence route. When they are standing at the corner and there is a traffic light, I always hope for a green. Not very compelling for Christianity, huh?
Honestly, they make me nervous. I have went to shelters and hired day help though. It just makes me nervous when it's a street corner or non-controlled enviroment.

This thread has made me examine how I handle it.

[Markh]

Homelessness is ridiculous!

I live in england, which has a welfare state and loads of money available for these people. There is no reason to be homeless, they should take a trip to their local government social services department, fill in a few details and be put up in a communal home within weeks. They would then receive some money and be given some more info on getting a job.

With all the free market stuff in America I don't know how it works, but I have to say, where there is a welfare state and money available for these types of people, they should be receiving it, given a roof over their heads (even if it is in a house with 4 other families) and advised on getting a job again.

[RhetorTheo]

I would walk by. I've tried to help some before, to no avail, and I've given money. Ultimately, we need to accept responsibility for the poor by giving the government the tools it needs to handle them. Giving money to the mentally ill and drugged up doesn't help matters.

[nyj]

Ultimately, we need to accept responsibility for the poor by giving the government the tools it needs to handle them.The government? I see the government in action, and their solution is to either throw money at the situation, regardless of the circumstances, or ignore it completely. The adage goes: If you want it done right, do it yourself. The only thing I rely on the government to do is spend my tax dollars unwisely.

[theseed]

I think a systematic approach would be best, by serving in soup kitchens and homeless shelters which this guy would know about.