S
sorrowful1
Guest
I was going to a mall, and saw a poor man begging for alms on the street. Didn’t have a change, so I thought I’d go in (a shop), get a change , get back and give him some. Couldn’t buy anything because most of the shops were still closed.
By the time, I returned to the same spot, he was gone. I felt tremendously “guilty” - guilty of letting a poor man go empty handed when I could have done him a tiny favour by giving him a few coins ( I think I had some coins) , "guilty"of acting miserly by not sparing cash (I had some cash with me but like I said I wanted to get changes. I’m myself not in a position to “donate” but I’m not in that unpropitious situation that will drive me to begging, either).
I think I’ve faced this situation several times - wanting to “give” but not being able to do so right away. That often leaves me miserable. I crack(ed) a joke with myself, " Next time, don’t forget to ask for their numbers so that you can trace them (people begging) back".
Surely, I’m not committing a sin?
By the time, I returned to the same spot, he was gone. I felt tremendously “guilty” - guilty of letting a poor man go empty handed when I could have done him a tiny favour by giving him a few coins ( I think I had some coins) , "guilty"of acting miserly by not sparing cash (I had some cash with me but like I said I wanted to get changes. I’m myself not in a position to “donate” but I’m not in that unpropitious situation that will drive me to begging, either).
I think I’ve faced this situation several times - wanting to “give” but not being able to do so right away. That often leaves me miserable. I crack(ed) a joke with myself, " Next time, don’t forget to ask for their numbers so that you can trace them (people begging) back".
Surely, I’m not committing a sin?