Does anyone do alms?

[Sacred_Heart_1]

I was wondering if anyone gives Alms to the poor and needy? If you do, do you care to share a story. I noticed that for the most part Catholics don’t talk about Alms, at all.

 

[CB_Catholic]

I was wondering if anyone gives Alms to the poor and needy? If you do, do you care to share a story. I noticed that for the most part Catholics don’t talk about Alms, at all.

I think that most Catholics are not inclined to talk about their charitable giving for fear of being thought of as bragging. Catholics are very generous when it comes to giving to the poor and needy, as evidenced by the large numbers of charitable institutions and missionary efforts around the world created by and run by Catholics.

Yes, we give “alms” in this house, but that is all I want to say.

God bless you.

(I do have a story about my mother, but don’t have time to post it now. Will try later.)

 

[Adonia]

The only time I will give alms is during Lent when if a panhandler asks for money I will give it to them no questions asked. During the rest of the year I will only provide them with food, no cash.

Giving to the poor is something we are commanded to do both by the Church and Jesus himself. The key is not to make it out that one is somehow being magnanimous in some way by giving, but that you are just doing what a Christian normally should do when it comes to this issue.

 

[tawny]

I think that most Catholics are not inclined to talk about their charitable giving for fear of being thought of as bragging. Catholics are very generous when it comes to giving to the poor and needy, as evidenced by the large numbers of charitable institutions and missionary efforts around the world created by and run by Catholics.

Yes, we give “alms” in this house, but that is all I want to say.

God bless you.

(I do have a story about my mother, but don’t have time to post it now. Will try later.)

Well stated.

 

[thistle]

I was wondering if anyone gives Alms to the poor and needy? If you do, do you care to share a story. I noticed that for the most part Catholics don’t talk about Alms, at all.

When I see a homeless person sitting on the pavement with a plastic cup in front of him and I put money in it why I would go about telling people I gave money.

 

[Bonnie]

By alms, do you mean any charitable giving? Or just in-person giving to beggars?

 

[zab]

I was wondering if anyone gives Alms to the poor and needy? If you do, do you care to share a story. I noticed that for the most part Catholics don’t talk about Alms, at all.

While the word “almsgiving” may or may not be used, but that is essentially what is involved in giving to “other charities” when deciding on what our tithe should be. Sometimes those other charities go to places outside the parish limits and even outside the country to assist the poor in the world. But many parishes have programs and organizations that help the poor in their own community. And these programs and organizations are supported by the almsgiving of many Catholics. For example, when people donate to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, that money goes to helping the poor.

 

[Brendan]

I dunno, you’d have to ask my right hand. The rest of me doesn’t know what it’s doing.

 

[midori]

A long time ago, I went to a talk by Sondra Abrahams. One of the things I remember from her talk was a “the-beggar-was-an-angel” story. The point she conveyed was that if she gives a panhandler $x in an Act of Mercy, it’s between her and God. If the panhandler chooses to waste it, that’s between him and God. I thought that was an interesting perspective, and it’s stuck with me, although in general I think it’s more efficient to give to trusted organizations that can stretch the benefits of charitable giving more than an individual can.

 

[Bonnie]

The point she conveyed was that if she gives a panhandler $x in an Act of Mercy, it’s between her and God. If the panhandler chooses to waste it, that’s between him and God.

That idea is in the Didache, but I don’t remember which part.

That said, I rarely give money outright to people - we just don’t have that much. We have certain charities we support. We do help people in other ways, giving rides, doing yard work, that sort of thing.

 

[TimothyH]

Let your light shine before men…

I sometimes give money directly to people but always engage them in conversation. I always ask their name and usually ask, “What’s your story? How did you get like this?” and listen to what they have to say.

Sometimes I’ll take them to the Walmart and buy them groceries or a gift card.

I recently took a man into the convenience store to get a sandwich and some coffee. The man looked a little shabby and the clerk started giving him a hard time. I go to this place every day for my morning coffee and everyone there knows me so I said in a clear voice, “This is my new friend Scott. He’s with me.” The clerk stood down, treated the man with respect and and it led to a nice conversation with the clerk a few days later where I was able to give witness to my Christian faith.

I have met some people with families who really do need help and the fact is that they live right around the corner from you and I. But giving money isn’t the most important thing. Christ died for that homeless man as much as he died for me and that makes his life just as valuable as mine. Treating him like a human being loved by God instead of treating him like a piece of dirt is what’s most important. I always shake their hands, sometimes offer them a ride, engage in conversation and treat them like dignified human beings.

I have friends who are case workers for St. Vincent de Paul and they will tell you that giving a man back his dignity is what’s most important.

-Tim-

 

[Adonia]

A long time ago, I went to a talk by Sondra Abrahams. One of the things I remember from her talk was a “the-beggar-was-an-angel” story. The point she conveyed was that if she gives a panhandler $x in an Act of Mercy, it’s between her and God. If the panhandler chooses to waste it, that’s between him and God. I thought that was an interesting perspective, and it’s stuck with me, although in general I think it’s more efficient to give to trusted organizations that can stretch the benefits of charitable giving more than an individual can.

Yes, an interesting perspective but I have seen much of panhandling for what it really is - a plain old moneymaking scam by people who are neither needy or homeless. I have seen people ask for money at truckstops and then get in a flashy car and drive away. I have been approached by the “need gas” scam because they are on the way to see their mother too many times to be taken in by that one either.

That is why I tell the person my policy is to not give cash but I will feed them. Sometimes they shake their head and walk away, while at other times they will take me up on my offer and I will gladly but them some food.

 

[Sacred_Heart_1]

I dunno, you’d have to ask my right hand. The rest of me doesn’t know what it’s doing.

Very good.

 

[Sacred_Heart_1]

Let your light shine before men…

I sometimes give money directly to people but always engage them in conversation. I always ask their name and usually ask, “What’s your story? How did you get like this?” and listen to what they have to say.

Sometimes I’ll take them to the Walmart and buy them groceries or a gift card.

I recently took a man into the convenience store to get a sandwich and some coffee. The man looked a little shabby and the clerk started giving him a hard time. I go to this place every day for my morning coffee and everyone there knows me so I said in a clear voice, “This is my new friend Scott. He’s with me.” The clerk stood down, treated the man with respect and and it led to a nice conversation with the clerk a few days later where I was able to give witness to my Christian faith.

I have met some people with families who really do need help and the fact is that they live right around the corner from you and I. But giving money isn’t the most important thing. Christ died for that homeless man as much as he died for me and that makes his life just as valuable as mine. Treating him like a human being loved by God instead of treating him like a piece of dirt is what’s most important. I always shake their hands, sometimes offer them a ride, engage in conversation and treat them like dignified human beings.

I have friends who are case workers for St. Vincent de Paul and they will tell you that giving a man back his dignity is what’s most important.

-Tim-

That’s very nice.

 

[Sacred_Heart_1]

I’m not interested in how much you give or what you give. I’m just interested if anyone who has a story about how people react when you do give. I don’t think that is boasting or bragging. You can’t boast or brag of yourself when you are doing the Lord’s work. I think we should share how we feel, how people react…things like that. It’s not bragging amongst friends when we are boasting in the Lord. Who knows maybe one of us will be inspired today to give alms. That’s what I am looking for, is inspiration. We should try to inspire each other for alms giving. It is one of the hardest things you have to do, especially if you are giving your last.

 

[zab]

I’m not interested in how much you give or what you give. I’m just interested if anyone who has a story about how people react when you do give. I don’t think that is boasting or bragging. You can’t boast or brag of yourself when you are doing the Lord’s work. I think we should share how we feel, how people react…things like that. It’s not bragging amongst friends when we are boasting in the Lord. Who knows maybe one of us will be inspired today to give alms. That’s what I am looking for, is inspiration. We should try to inspire each other for alms giving. It is one of the hardest things you have to do, especially if you are giving your last.

I used to wonder what people think when I don’t contribute to most of the requests that come from behind the counter when I’m at the grocery store or some other store as I am purchasing my items. But why should the store’s giving be based on what their customers contribute to a particular cause? The thing is that most people do not see what many of us give because our giving is not done in front of everyone to see. Rather, our giving is budgeted in with the rest of our monthly expenses to go out in the mail or automatic transfers or payments. The money that we give is not something that is “left over” after we pay our bills or change that we have in our pockets. I think that people come to understand that it is their duty to share some of what they have been given to help those less fortunate than themselves. It is easy for our hearts to be moved by some of the people that we see on city streets. Some people prefer to be more hands on and personal in helping those that they see. But often what some people give is known by God alone. Both of these ways of giving alms are important and one should not judge others based on what they see or do not see.

 

[Adonia]

I’m not interested in how much you give or what you give. I’m just interested if anyone who has a story about how people react when you do give. I don’t think that is boasting or bragging. You can’t boast or brag of yourself when you are doing the Lord’s work. I think we should share how we feel, how people react…things like that. It’s not bragging amongst friends when we are boasting in the Lord. Who knows maybe one of us will be inspired today to give alms. That’s what I am looking for, is inspiration. We should try to inspire each other for alms giving. It is one of the hardest things you have to do, especially if you are giving your last.

The one’s who only wanted money for drugs or alcohol told me in no uncertain terms what they thought of my offer to feed them, meanwhile I have been thanked profusely by those who had accepted my food offer. The best part is the feeling that I get inside knowing that this time I was truly living out being a Christian.

Two weeks ago I was moved by the Holy Spirit to donate some cash to some folks who were out near the road with signs asking for money to bury a family member. In this case I was also thanked profusely and got a God bless you too.

 

[Mummsie]

I prefer anonymous giving. I cross a toll bridge several times a month; I always pay for the next car behind me. I get a very good feeling when I do this. My hopes are they will “pay it forward” or just smile a little more.

After one such incidence, I stopped to get gas. The lady in the car next to me asked if I was the one who paid her fare. I answered yes. She thanked me. Then we talked some more. I told her I had just visited my mother for mother’s day. She told me she had just buried her mother and was on a long trip home. Totally made me more grateful than I could have imagined. “For it is in giving, that we receive”.

God Bless You.

 

[Sacred_Heart_1]

I have two regrets in almsgiving. One time there was a homeless man in the park that had no shirt. I gave him money but now I look upon it–I should have given him my shirt. And one time there was a homeless man without any shoes. I should have given him my shoes. It didn’t occur to me until afterwards though. From now on I keep a lookout for these people.

 

[Adonia]

I have two regrets in almsgiving. One time there was a homeless man in the park that had no shirt. I gave him money but now I look upon it–I should have given him my shirt. And one time there was a homeless man without any shoes. I should have given him my shoes. It didn’t occur to me until afterwards though. From now on I keep a lookout for these people.

Well there you go, next time you will know exactly what you should do. I heard a story about Bishop Fulton Sheen who used to go out for walks in NYC in the winter. Many times, according to a young priest who was also at the parish, he would see the Bishop arrive back at the church with no overcoat on.