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fakename
Guest
I was in my car already pulling out of a parking lot and I saw a mother w/child begging for money. I could’ve stopped and gave her money but I was already pulling-out. What should I do next time? Any thoughts?
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Adam1986
Guest
Honestly, next time just turn around go back into the parking lot and give her the money. Were you in such a hurry you didn’t have the time to turn around?
po18guy
Well-known member
Sadly, many of these beggars are fakes. I dealt with them for decades in law enforcement. Some even “borrow” children as props to gain more money. You’ve seen the casts and leg braces? I have seen them trading these as they relieve each other at the off-ramps. It is impossible to know if this was an actual case of need, or a deception. However, notice that she was not asking for “help” or housing, only for money. Our priest refers those who come asking for money to the local outreach ministry for help. Most walk away because they are looking only for money - with which they may buy alcohol or drugs. The ministry offers what they actually need. If you are in that lot again, ask someone in the area about her. They know the truth of the matter.
Frankly, the woman you saw is exponentially richer than those in, for example, the world’s newest nation of South Sudan. I choose to offer my support through those agencies either established by the Church, or approved by her for rendering assistance to the impoverished. Here, here and here are good, certified charities.
As to Bishop Macram “Max” Gassis, who serves a huge Diocese in both Kenya and the Sudan, here is a short homily he gave at EWTN.
Frankly, the woman you saw is exponentially richer than those in, for example, the world’s newest nation of South Sudan. I choose to offer my support through those agencies either established by the Church, or approved by her for rendering assistance to the impoverished. Here, here and here are good, certified charities.
As to Bishop Macram “Max” Gassis, who serves a huge Diocese in both Kenya and the Sudan, here is a short homily he gave at EWTN.
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Adam1986
Guest
That’s very true. However, some of them are legit. I personally would rather give money 50 times and be scammed 49 rather then pass up the 1.
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manualman
Guest
It can be handy to have a few McDonalds funny money bucks on hand in the glove box. It’s ain’t Whole Foods Market, but there’s one on every corner and you can’t buy drugs or alcohol there.
Thanks for the reminder (I’ve been out of 'em for ages!).
Thanks for the reminder (I’ve been out of 'em for ages!).
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Brywan
Guest
I agree with you…Jesus said to “give to those who ask of you…” I believe that when I give money to beggars, I am giving the money to Jesus (He is approaching me under the disguise of the poor). I determined a long time ago that I was going to err on the side of mercy in my giving…if sometimes that makes me a fool in my giving, then so be it. I’m a fool for Christ…
po18guy
Well-known member
Yes, but prudential judgment must enter in at some point. We live in a society where physical assistance is available nearly everywhere. What is the likelihood of such a mother not knowing about Children’s Services, of the Department of Human Services in any locality? False beggars did not exist in Jesus’ time, so giving to the poor was easy. It was obvious. But, while we discuss this, several Sudanese have died from either starvation or murder by Islamic forces.
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edwest2
Guest
One homeless person I know has forstbite. Another has black lung from working in coal mines for 30 years. Sure, a few might be scammers, but I haven’t seen any. These people do not look very well in most cases. I give what I can. God knows that I don’t have to be homeless as well.
So, be a little careful. But let the Holy Spirit guide you.
Peace,
Ed
So, be a little careful. But let the Holy Spirit guide you.
Peace,
Ed
po18guy
Well-known member
My view on such urban beggars is tempered by the drugs and alcohol that I have seen them buy (and die from) due to off-ramp solicitation. The media has followed a few of these (particularly female) beggars and found that this provides a very comfortable income for them. Conversely, I have bought lunches and given cash to bag ladies (who did not drink or use drugs), but the others know where to get legitimate help for legitimate needs - and we can see that they are not at those locations.
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TimothyH
Guest
Fakename, the Holy Spirit has spoken to you today and has moved you enough that you needed to come here and write about it. Don’t listen to what these people say about scam artists and such things. There is no doubt in my mind about the fact that the Holy Spirit has spoken to you.
What is more important than giving or not giving is that you recognize the inspiration of the Holy Spirit in your life and be obedient to his inspirations the next time. Maybe God wanted you to just see the woman and to teach you by it. Maybe God wanted you to give her money. Maybe you will never know. But it’s the past, you can’t get it back and don’t beat yourself up about it.
edwest2 said it perfectly… “let the holy spirit guide you.” Be docile and quiet. Just listen. Respond in little ways to little things whenever you think the Holy Spirit is prompting you and next time you will notice situations like this immediately and will not hesitate.
His master said to him, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master’s joy.’ (Matthew 25:21)…and Jaques Phillipe wrote an excellent little pocket book on this very subject - recognizing, fostering and obedience to the promptings of the Holy Spirit - titled “In the School of the Holy Spirit”, well worth the ten bucks.
-Tim-
What is more important than giving or not giving is that you recognize the inspiration of the Holy Spirit in your life and be obedient to his inspirations the next time. Maybe God wanted you to just see the woman and to teach you by it. Maybe God wanted you to give her money. Maybe you will never know. But it’s the past, you can’t get it back and don’t beat yourself up about it.
edwest2 said it perfectly… “let the holy spirit guide you.” Be docile and quiet. Just listen. Respond in little ways to little things whenever you think the Holy Spirit is prompting you and next time you will notice situations like this immediately and will not hesitate.
His master said to him, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master’s joy.’ (Matthew 25:21)…and Jaques Phillipe wrote an excellent little pocket book on this very subject - recognizing, fostering and obedience to the promptings of the Holy Spirit - titled “In the School of the Holy Spirit”, well worth the ten bucks.
-Tim-
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Curious_Seed
Guest
There is no next time; there may only be another time, because each time is unlike any other.
The choice to help financially is answered by not asking if there is a need that you should contribute toward, but rather knowing there is always a need [Matthew 26:11] and so what contribution do you need more to keep than want to give, and that is what you should give [Luke 18:22].
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puzzleannie
Guest
where I am I would not give them anything for 2 reasons
one, I would be enabling a possible tragedy, the unsafe situation of allowing a child to solicit in a parking lot, the situation is unsafe for the beggars, the motorists and patrons of the business, this goes double for those who solicit at intersections.
the second and more serious as that down here it is almost a dead cert that women and children, and handicapped persons begging on the street are working for a boss who exploits them and will get to keep little or none of what they receive.
that is why we are actively supporting church based organizations that try to end the exploitation and meet the material needs of these people.
we (my group, not me personally) served a meal to 300 needy families, and distributed literally a truck load of new clothing, shoes, linens, toys and household items. What was leftover was taken by volunteers to several colonias–in town settlements of the poorest of the poor in this valley. We have these events 4 times a year. Plus the regular food pantry, assistance with utilities, Rx and medical bills, clothing cupboard, baby boutique and other outreach.
But I will not put a child’s life in danger by encouraging soliciting in a parking lot or at an intersection.
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ConstantineTG
Guest
I come from a 3rd world country where this is such an ordinary sight. I always believe in the saying, “you give a man fish, he eats for a day. You teach a man to fish, he eats for a lifetime.” Maybe you can give them some bread but know their story and support a charity that will help them get out of their situation.
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jmcrae
Guest
Direct her to the help that she needs. A mother and child should not be out begging on the streets. There are helping organizations that specialize in single mothers, as well as women’s shelters. Give your money to these organizations, and help this poor woman find her way to them, so that she and her child can be set free from the humiliation of begging in the streets.
po18guy
Well-known member
Oh, come on now! We are supposed to just throw money at them and trust.
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jmcrae
Guest
Right, because that is the best way to affirm their human dignity - just like animals at the zoo being thrown their scraps of sustenance - from a safe distance - to avoid being bitten.
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Lead_Me_Home
Guest
I would not go so far as to say that. People have always run scams. The tax collectors and pharisees are perfect examples of people who ran scams in Jesus’ time. I’m sure there were some fake beggars around if people were stealing in the temple.
po18guy
Well-known member
OK, but a bit of a stretch, IMO. If scam-begging was an isolated problem, I do not think the media in most major cities would waste their time dedicating reporters, film crews and editors, not to mention airtime, to report on it. The scam becomes insidious, especially when it takes money away from those who are literally dying in other nations.
Does this seem harsh? If so, it is only from decades of watching certain Americans work with amazing amounts of ingenuity and dedication at the art of getting others to work for them and give them that money voluntarily. Are they all scammers? Certainly not! But those in true need already know of the many charities ready and willing to help. You will find them there.
It may also be because I have travelled quite a bit to the third world and have seen genuine poverty. I have seen war amputees and old women who are too crippled to work begging day by day to make enough to eat rice and beans. I have given to those gnarled hands, which graciously accept whatever I can spare. I have seen the grateful expressions and received blessings from them, even when I may have had only some bit of food to share with them - which was promptly eaten.
So, I can go ahead and give to those whose cell phones ring regularly and who wear newer clothes than I do, or I can give to certified charities so as to save the lives of Sudanese women and children. After all, it’s our choice.
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I_Thirst
Guest
If I don’t give the poor, I have to come up with elaborate excuses about why I’m not giving to the poor, most of which turn out to be rather cynical – and this cynicism is touted as worldliness. I can’t give money to the poor and expect a guarantee from them about how this act of charity is to be used, can I?
Imagine for a moment that God withheld something from us because he foresaw how we would use it. He gave us Christ and look what we did to Christ, yet still He gave.
Imagine for a moment that God withheld something from us because he foresaw how we would use it. He gave us Christ and look what we did to Christ, yet still He gave.
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Thoughtfulone
Guest
It is not up to us to judge what we THINK these people will do with the money based on a news report or some such thing. God will judge us based on what WE do (to give or not to give) and God will judge them based on what THEY do with the money (do they buy food or drugs?). God is not going to condemn you for trying to help someone and you’re only out a couple of bucks.
Also, assuming they ARE just going to go and buy drugs or alcohol…what do you think must have happened to them in their life to reduce them to begging for drug money on the street with no place to go and no family to take them in? What would have to happen to you to put you in the same position? I can’t even imagine what it would take to alienate my family so, lose my home and become that addicted to drugs or alcohol. I feel sorry for them. If you’re that concerned about it, I say go to McDonald’s and buy them a value meal or go home and clean out your closet and give them some old clothes.
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