Beggars in a Car?

[esieffe]

I had a lady in a car asking for money as I was walking the dogs one day. She said she needed money for prescriptions. I did not have my wallet on me and told her so. She was willing to drive me to my house, so I could get it. [not gonna happen] Every suggestion I had, she had a comeback for.

Two days or so, I read a story in the paper that the Irish Travelers are in town. The best you can do is go with your heart, and consider the evidence. I had a rule when I worked in Downtown Atlanta. No money to beggars unless they smelled bad. I give what I can, I feel good about what I do.

 

[PolarGuy]

Dang, I had not even considered the travelers.

 

[1ke]

Here’s the thing. The beggars were in a car, and were driving around, asking for gas money. I’m not sure, but something just doesn’t add up if you ask me.

If I see them again, I’ll notify the Priest, or the Police.

As I said, it is a common scam. Do not be taken in by it, and certainly don’t get out of your car or let them in yours.

Points of transition are the most vulnerable, getting in and out of your vehicle or rolling down a window for example. Be safe, don’t even roll down the window if it happens again, especially if not many people are around. Try to park in well lit areas, and walk with others to your car.

 

[Melodeonist]

As I said, it is a common scam. Do not be taken in by it, and certainly don’t get out of your car or let them in yours.

Points of transition are the most vulnerable, getting in and out of your vehicle or rolling down a window for example. Be safe, don’t even roll down the window if it happens again, especially if not many people are around. Try to park in well lit areas, and walk with others to your car.

It was around noon actually. My RCIA classes end around 11:30 am. I was standing outside my car when they pulled up. I wasn’t inside my car yet.

Once I got in the car, I locked my doors, and drove away.

Next time, I’ll just say “Sorry, I’m afraid I can’t help.”, and leave.

 

[mikekle]

This is becoming a problem in my area too lately, we constantly have to run people off at the stores, who are out in the parking lot asking people for gas money (usually to get to the next town), they go from gas pump to gas pump, asking people for money, surprisingly it does not take them long to get money, one girl I talked to, said she normally takes about 20-30 minutes to get $25.

About a month ago, I had a car stop and instead of asking for money, they asked for directions to the nearest church, I think the word is out that many churches are handing out cash to needy people who come asking. We have a large group that asks our senior priest for money every week, sometimes, they are even waiting for him to finish saying mass, they hit him up as soon as he leaves the church!

Our senior priest sees no problem in doing this though, and has caused some other people in the parish to be upset with him, as its their money he is giving away, but he tells people, if they need the money, who is he to ask questions, plus, he doesnt give them much, maybe $20-50.

I realize some are probably taking advantage of him and other churches, but there are probably some who are putting it to good use, so I dont see a problem with it.

 

[WJeffrey]

I live in a small New England city that has a huge heroin and crack problem. Having addicts approach you anytime you enter a parking lot is common. The scam you are asking about happens to me at a minimum of once per week. Any money that you give them is going straight into their arm. If you engage in conversation, you are running the risk of getting mugged. People who are dope sick are desperate, and they will think nothing of stabbing you to get your wallet. That is the reality of drug addiction.

If you reach into your wallet to give them 5 bucks, you run the risk of having your wallet taken from you.

Mother Angelica tells the story of the man who gives his paycheck to the bum and fails to fulfill the obligations he has to his family. I think this applies to your case. If you are still driving your parents car, you should be saving money for your own. If other people are supporting you, you should not be supporting someone else.

If you are going to do anything, give the junkie a $5 McDonalds gift card. It buys the junkie a meal and it doesn’t go towards bling for his dealer.

 

[Hoosier_Daddy]

Luke 6:30-36

Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again.

Do to others as you would have them do to you.

“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.

If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.

If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again.

But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.

Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

Hey, great! Can I beg you for something?

 

[Minion_w_a_drum]

I live in Colorado. Shortly after marijuana became legalized for recreational use, panhandling and begging seem to become extremely prevalent. So did hitchhiking, it was like it was 1970 all over again. Oddly enough, most are 20 somethings engaging in all of this behavior.
I’m not inferring anything by my above statement. I’m simply stating what I have observed over the last couple of years.

 

[EveningSkye111]

It doesn’t matter, boy, girl, man, woman, any age. Two people can overcome one person in no time. Fortunately, nothing happened.

A poor family came to our church one day, needing food. We gave them our regular box of “get you through today” food and asked them to come back the next day when the regular food bank guy would be there. I took pity on them and gave some money to buy some meat to go with their meal and a fresh pie I baked for my husband at church that day.

They never came back, but oh, boy, they had my phone number. Secretary at church gave it to them.

Right before Christmas they called me and asked for food. We went out and bought a ton of food and presents for Christmas. I knocked on their door and the man answered and I told home we had food and presents. Not even a hello, but “can I get some money from you?”

I had no money left, but hubby gave him our “emergency $20.” We hauled in the food and gifts and I commented on their pretty live Christmas tree. She said they got it from another church. I was happy about that.

Fast forward to Easter time. Again, a call to me for food. I brought a whole ham, all the fixings, desserts and enough stuff for a month. The lady made a big show about her empty cupboards, the ones with a few cartons of Marlboros. I started putting stuff in her cupboards and she quickly put everything back in boxes and stashed in another room. It was at this time, one of her daughters came in and said “Mom, is this the lady bringing us the ham or the turkey?”

Two days later, she called me, asking if I could get her some vicodin or give her more money.

I have found more and better ways of handling a way of giving. This whole thing was an awful scam, but they don’t have to answer to me.

 

[robertmidwest]

Today, while I was leaving RCIA, I was getting into my parents car (I borrow my parents car), when a car goes the wrong way through the small, albeit busy parking lot, parks on the passenger side of my car, and rolls down the window. Inside is a man driver and a woman passenger.

Then the driver says says that he needs money for gas to get to a town (which doesn’t actually exist to my knowledge), and that he went to the gas station, and no one gave him money. He also said that he needed to get to the bank in the non-real town to sort out issues. He said even coins would help.

I found the story a little suspect, so I told them either that I had nothing, or that I had no money (I can’t remember what I said exactly.) Afterwards, I told them I wish them luck, that they manage to get some gas money, and God Bless.

Did I sin by saying I had nothing, when I had a few dollars? (It’s my only money I have.)

By the way, the town that might not exist could have been me misunderstanding the guy’s words, and he may have meant a town that is about 30+ minutes away.

No you did not sin.

God gave you an intellect. You suspected a scam and acted accordingly. I am proud of you.

Shame on the posters here trying to give OP a guilt trip.

 

[AKDee]

Shame on the posters here trying to give OP a guilt trip.

I only saw one comment on here that might be interpreted that way. The rest appear in every way to support the OP’s choice. Regardless, when someone asks for an opinion people should be free to offer theirs without being shamed.

 

[mikekle]

**Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. **

I think this is the most important thing to remember, God does not call on us to discern what the beggars are going to use the money for…he simply instructs us to give when asked. I have a feeling the enemy has a part in this trying not be scammed mentality, it fits well with secular culture, we dont want to be enabling any drug or alcohol abuse, but even if 99 out of 100 people you gave money to, used it for drugs, 1 person used it for food, shelter, etc. Trying to figure out how a particular person is going to use the money is impossible.

Imo, it would be better to give cash to 100 people, when 99 used it for drugs, and 1 used it for food, versus not giving to any of them. There will always be those trying to scam others out of money, but we as christians cannot get into the mentality of assuming they all will.

In the end, God will see that we gave when asked, it will be on the people asking, that God judges what they use it for, thats not our responsibility though.

 

[Bonnie]

**Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. **

I think this is the most important thing to remember, God does not call on us to discern what the beggars are going to use the money for…he simply instructs us to give when asked.

If I gave away all my money, I’d have none left for food, electricity, etc. Then what? Do I ask you for money? If I do, will you send it to me?

I think we’re supposed to exercise some judgement, not just give to any random person who asks. I remember reading a rather gleeful account by a non-Christian; he & some friends came across some Christians who were unloading boxes of Bibles for a chapel. He asked for the Bibles - all of them. When the Christians seemed reluctant, he quoted the above verse - and walked off with every single Bible. They put the Bibles in the garbage later. How did that benefit anyone?

A friend owns a Christian book shop. A shoplifter took an expensive, leather-bound Bible. She came back with it & wanted our friend to exchange it for one with larger type. Our friend refused & simply took the Bible - tho it wasn’t in the best condition any more. Another friend said the owner should have just given a new expensive Bible to the thief, because she asked, and that it would be the Christian thing to do. I don’t think so - especially since the thrift store down the street gives away Bibles.

Anyone who doesn’t agree with me that we need to exercise judgment, please send me a private message. I’ll give you instructions for transferring money to me.

 

[clem456]

In any case, life is chock full of borderline situations.
You do the best you can with the information you have, and move on in trust.

It is of greater concern, in my opinion, that some of these situations with no clear cut answers weigh our hearts down with anxiety and second guessing.

Love the best you can, and trust God to lead you. And then let it be past (it is past), for better or worse.

 

[WJeffrey]

**Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. **

I think this is the most important thing to remember, God does not call on us to discern what the beggars are going to use the money for…he simply instructs us to give when asked. I have a feeling the enemy has a part in this trying not be scammed mentality, it fits well with secular culture, we dont want to be enabling any drug or alcohol abuse, but even if 99 out of 100 people you gave money to, used it for drugs, 1 person used it for food, shelter, etc. Trying to figure out how a particular person is going to use the money is impossible.

Imo, it would be better to give cash to 100 people, when 99 used it for drugs, and 1 used it for food, versus not giving to any of them. There will always be those trying to scam others out of money, but we as christians cannot get into the mentality of assuming they all will.

In the end, God will see that we gave when asked, it will be on the people asking, that God judges what they use it for, thats not our responsibility though.

You do realize that there is a significant statistical probability that the Junkie will take your money and OD on heroin or buy some crack mixed with who knows what and end up dead.

The sole reason they are dead is now because you gave them the money to get high. If it wasn’t for your money, they would be alive today.

There isn’t much difference between giving a broke dope sick addict money and a suicidal person a loaded gun. Both may end up dead, and both would be alive if you just minded your own business.

Giving a drug addict on the streets money is not charity. If you want to do something charitable, give them a $5 dollar McDonalds gift card. When you give them cash, that money is going straight to their drug dealer.

 

[mikekle]

If I gave away all my money, I’d have none left for food, electricity, etc. Then what? Do I ask you for money? If I do, will you send it to me?

I think we’re supposed to exercise some judgement, not just give to any random person who asks. I remember reading a rather gleeful account by a non-Christian; he & some friends came across some Christians who were unloading boxes of Bibles for a chapel. He asked for the Bibles - all of them. When the Christians seemed reluctant, he quoted the above verse - and walked off with every single Bible. They put the Bibles in the garbage later. How did that benefit anyone?

A friend owns a Christian book shop. A shoplifter took an expensive, leather-bound Bible. She came back with it & wanted our friend to exchange it for one with larger type. Our friend refused & simply took the Bible - tho it wasn’t in the best condition any more. Another friend said the owner should have just given a new expensive Bible to the thief, because she asked, and that it would be the Christian thing to do. I don’t think so - especially since the thrift store down the street gives away Bibles.

Anyone who doesn’t agree with me that we need to exercise judgment, please send me a private message. I’ll give you instructions for transferring money to me.

I barely have enough money to meet my own needs! LOL

I hear what you all are saying, all I was doing was showing what God instructed us to do, sure it doesnt seem like it would be a smart thing to do in modern times, but I imagine even in biblical times, it would have been tough for a faithful person who had been robbed of everything they own, to avoid asking for any of it back! (but thats what it says??), how else could that even be interpreted? Seems pretty clear to me.

So, in this case, with modern times being what they are, we need to ‘add’ to that verse? Or put an asterisk at the end?

 

[Sarcelle]

I barely have enough money to meet my own needs! LOL

I hear what you all are saying, all I was doing was showing what God instructed us to do, sure it doesnt seem like it would be a smart thing to do in modern times, but I imagine even in biblical times, it would have been tough for a faithful person who had been robbed of everything they own, to avoid asking for any of it back! (but thats what it says??), how else could that even be interpreted? Seems pretty clear to me.

So, in this case, with modern times being what they are, we need to ‘add’ to that verse? Or put an asterisk at the end?

I have given money to people who have asked me. All of them had used the money to buy food or take the bus home. I’ve been lucky I haven’t been robbed. I also donate to charity and also pay for somebody’s else’s heating bills and have been doing so for a year now.

I recommend the use of caution and prudence when deciding to give money to beggars. Prudence and compassion are not mutually conclusive. After all if you give your money to scammers and addicts you would not have enough to give to those who are truly in need. Not all of us are as rich as Bill Gates or Donald Trump. In addition to that you would also be subsidizing the drug industry. Who wants to be complicit in that?

 

[robertmidwest]

This is becoming a problem in my area too lately, we constantly have to run people off at the stores, who are out in the parking lot asking people for gas money (usually to get to the next town), they go from gas pump to gas pump, asking people for money, surprisingly it does not take them long to get money, one girl I talked to, said she normally takes about 20-30 minutes to get $25.

About a month ago, I had a car stop and instead of asking for money, they asked for directions to the nearest church, I think the word is out that many churches are handing out cash to needy people who come asking. We have a large group that asks our senior priest for money every week, sometimes, they are even waiting for him to finish saying mass, they hit him up as soon as he leaves the church!

Our senior priest sees no problem in doing this though, and has caused some other people in the parish to be upset with him, as its their money he is giving away, but he tells people, if they need the money, who is he to ask questions, plus, he doesnt give them much, maybe $20-50.

I realize some are probably taking advantage of him and other churches, but there are probably some who are putting it to good use, so I dont see a problem with it.

Wow! The priest is just giving away the money with no accountability at all? He is being irresponsible with others money. The parishes in our area all communicate electronically to keep abreast of local scams. They keep in contact with other local non-Catholic churches and charities too. My wife did some part work at the parish last summer do to the regulars absence for surgery. During her time there was a woman who was hitting up every church in the area with the same story about being laid off as waitress. She was wanting cash to “catch up on bills”. The restaurant had never employed her when someone checked.

I know I will catch flak, but this priest is being irresponsible. God calling to help the poor does not mean to enable self destructive behavior.

When God calls us to serve the poor it does not always mean cash.

 

[Bonnie]

Wow! The priest is just giving away the money with no accountability at all? He is being irresponsible with others money.

The priest should be introduced to vouchers. The mission parish my husband works at never gives cash. Most people say they need money for gas or food, so they get a voucher for the one gas station in town or the one grocery store. They are allowed only one voucher a month - records are kept.

Big city parishes would have a lot more paperwork, but I think it’s worth it. Funny story my husband likes to tell from when he worked at a big city parish: A man came to the door asking for money for school supplies for his kids. Husband said we have lots of school supplies (someone had just donated them). The man said, no, I need money for food. Husband said the food bank is next door & is open right now. No, said the man, I need money for rent. Well, replied husband, we can give you a rent voucher.

At that, the man got very angry and yelled, “You guys never help me!” and stomped off.

 

[Bonnie]

I barely have enough money to meet my own needs! LOL

I hear what you all are saying, all I was doing was showing what God instructed us to do, sure it doesnt seem like it would be a smart thing to do in modern times, but I imagine even in biblical times, it would have been tough for a faithful person who had been robbed of everything they own, to avoid asking for any of it back! (but thats what it says??), how else could that even be interpreted? Seems pretty clear to me.

So, in this case, with modern times being what they are, we need to ‘add’ to that verse? Or put an asterisk at the end?

I’m guessing that Jesus was using hyperbole - exaggerating to make a point. I recall reading that Jesus did that on more than one occasion - wish I could remember where I read that. Maybe someone else knows more.