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diamondlil
Posts:4
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Posted:10/19/2006 12:22 PM |
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Just recently, I encountered a very uncomfortable sitaution. I was walking out of Target with my family when I was approached by a woman and her two little girls. She asked me for money citing difficulties and something about not getting paid until next week and how she needed it for food. Well, I have always been of the mind set, no child should ever go hungry. One look into those precious girl's eyes; I was stuck. I wanted to help her; then again, what if she was going to use it for ill purposes and not feed her kids at all? I thought about our Lord and wondered am I seeing Jesus in the face of these little girls???? I ended up giving her the change from my last purchase inside the store which was about 6-8 dollars. However, as I left I cried. I literally cried in my car. My husband suggested I pose this question to you. What does the Bible say about things like this? While there are valid people needing assistance there are also others that are deceiving. What am I to do? Thanks in advance. Lilly
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gfike
Posts:242
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Posted:10/19/2006 1:18 PM |
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Pastor Brent actually taught last night from James 1:27 that "pure religion and undefiled is this: to visit widows and orphans in their distress to keep oneself unpolluted from the world." Jesus said, "When you've done it for the least of these, my brothers, you've done it unto me." (Matthew 25). We cannot always know when people are on the level, but if we have it to spare we can't go too wrong giving it "as unto the Lord."
It is always better to investigate the story a little further. Sometimes we can discover whether this is a need or simply a series of poor lifestyle choices. Unfortunately, most people live such busy lives they cannot do that. I would say, help when you can, but go beyond the simple request and steer such people to the church. Sometimes we can help them consider options toward changing their life and breaking the bonds of poverty.
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Catherineoo
Posts:8
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Posted:10/19/2006 4:00 PM |
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I was asking myself this same question earlier this year. What I've started doing is if they are asking for money for food or if their sign says they're hungy, I will go purchase the food for them. Works well for both parties and then you know what their intentions are with the money if they refuse that offer.
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Saxet
Posts:7
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Posted:10/19/2006 7:43 PM |
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I have not been approached by anyone asking for money but I have been told to buy them food/groceries (just like the above post suggested). I had thought about a gift card but they can still purchase beer/smokes with that instead of much needed food.
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johncanalesusa
Posts:52
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Posted:10/25/2006 1:31 AM |
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There is a book Titled "Under the Overpass" by Mike Yanoski. It's a true story about a Mike and his friend Sam that test their faith by choosing to live on the streets in 5 major citys for 5 months. It's an incredible book.
Today, I was playing worship songs downtown near Broadway and E. Houston Street. I don't have steady work right now. Doing street performances by night has put gas in my tank and food in my stomach. I have recently encountered diffrent situations that God created to teach me about Him self. He sent me Aldabron Love Garcia this evening. He is an 18 year old. Aldabron did not ask me for change, which told me he was new to the street life. Most of the time the homeless are ignored by people downtown. They ask for change and sometimes don't get a response. Some of the homeless downtown have become numb to asking people for change and have lost heart. These are the ones that mostly live near the Samm shelter and the Bexar County Jail near downtown UTSA.
Aldabron skated around the block twice before stopping. I told him about what I was doing and why. He told me he played and I gave him my guitar to mess around with. He wasn't to bad. I taught him a thing or two that would improve his playing. He told me that he would play guitar at a local music store downtown on a regular basis. He had a dream of having a band one day.
I used the money I earned to take him to Mc Donald's. He told me his story and I felt his starvation for community. He wanted to tell his story. He wanted affection. He wanted love. He wanted friendship. He wanted food and a place where he could lay his head down for longer than and a couple of hours. He knew Christ and called Christ his king.
You see, before I could have any influence in this young man's life I had to feed him. Every homeless person is like this. You must feed them and house them first. Give them your shirt and an empty jug to carry around so they can have water with them. A conversation will last a short while, But if you feed him he will take that with him forever. I feed his spiritual need while we shared a meal. (Sound familiar?)
"Under the Overpass" Taught me that, along with several mentors I had while living in Minneapolis. BRCC teaches that as well. John Witte, who spoke at BRCC Oct 1, talks about similar ideas of dealing with people who have nothing and are dependent on each other. His audio is still online (check it if you missed it.)
I put a link below to amazon.com it connects to the book I mentioned.
Much love,
John Caneles
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Under-Overpass-Journey-Streets-America/dp/1590524020/sr=1-1/qid=1161755852/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-9575079-4264755?ie=UTF8&s=books">Under the Overpass @ Amazon.com</a>
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srider
Posts:1
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Posted:01/21/2007 7:03 PM |
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I know this original post is a few months old, but I only saw it today and wanted to reply. I feel that if you really believe and know that God is putting it on your heart to help someone out like this, then you do it. What that person chooses to do with what you gave them is then between them and God. But then you have stepped forward as God urged you to through the Spirit. I know we must use wisdom, but it is somestimes easy to dismiss His urging us to action by our practical analysis sometimes, I think.
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