Give money to panhandlers?

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Panhandlers, In the days and years following the 2nd world war, there were mostly men that road the rails. We lived in the country. My parents had build a home there and we had a little farm. Garden, chickes so on. My mom had our home blessed by the priest. I am not sure why these men or hobos as we called them back always stopped at my home. But mom always had a pot of left over soup and some sandwich stuff. There are 5 of us children. I was the next to younges, We always asked mom why she did that and her simple answer was because they were hungery. She never invited them in and they ate on the front stoop but was always greatful for the food that she offered and she sent them with some in their pockets. I to have a problem with giving to those on a street corner. Even sometimes to the firemen that collect in our town. I do not know why that is an uneasyness i have but it is. We live in a word that is money hungery and that money and fun will buy us happiness it does not. But that doesn’t mean we can neglect those in need either. But it is very hard to discern the difference.
 
Just had a situation like that again.

A guy approached me asking “can you help me get something to eat?”

I had some bread in my bag so I offered him some.

he said: “I just want your change, can you giveme your change?” Something like that.

I said sorry, I didn’t have much myself. He walked on.

Now. On the first glace, it seems pretty obvious: he didn’t want food, he wanted money. Probably for drugs, I thought.

But at second guess: What if not for drugs? What if he needed the change to get himself a decent meal?

I just gave five dollars to an old Chinese woman this morning and I just can’t afford to give to everybody who asks.
But still, doesn’t the Bible tell us to do so? Or does that need to be seen in context?

So again, as so often in these situations, on the one hand I feel like I did the right thing, on the other hand I think, wow, maybe i should just have given him some change.
But since I have a budget to stick to, it is difficult to give to everyone! I do it often. But sometimes I don’t.

Kathrin
 
If I have cash on me, I usually give…providing the person is within easy reach–like I wouldn’t stop at a green light, while driving, to give someone on the side of the road some money–and cause a pile up behind me. I would say yes–I typically give to people who seem down and out. The potential reasons behind them being down and out are not up for me to judge. If someone is down and out, I try, if I have the money to help them…but it’s not me, it’s by God’s grace that I can do this. I might, being caught up in my own world…merely walk by. Thank God for His grace.

But, to the OP–You didn’t have money…your dad did a great thing, too. I think it’s ignoring the poor, that Jesus wants us to be mindful of…neither of you did that. 🙂
 
Seeing panhandlers usually reminds me to give a donation to a local food bank or soup kitchen or homeless shelter.

I usually don’t give them any money. My rationalization is, what makes more sense, give some money to this guy, who might just be a con artist, or give it to a real charity that helps people get food and warmth? Then the guilt reminds me to actually give to a charity.

But Jesus said to love our neighbours… and maybe these people who we actually meet on the street are more our neighbours than the food bank or the soup kitchen. I’m very undecided …
 
Here are my thoughts generally:

I tend to give whatever I have. I’ve had my husband stop numerous times when we had just been shopping, jumped out with a bag of chips, and other easy to eat things and given them. I give money if I have that.

I do not worry about whether I’m being conned. I don’t worry about whether I’m “assisting” someone’s addiction. That would be treating the person by appearance and like a child. We have a duty it seems to me to treat people with dignity. You would not examine your neighbors request for a loan to see it it was justified in your eyes.

I understand the idea that well, I offered a job, they only wanted money. But honestly, when did you first have to work to get a meal? Remember 25% of our homeless are veterans, many of them psychologially wounded from various wars. These folks deserve our best efforts to help them, not to judge them and make them prove they are worthy somehow of our help. Is our giving any the less appreciated by Jesus because our gift was misused? I say no.
 
For a time, I participated in the work of an inner city parish.

The pastor also worked frequently with the non-Catholic community to serve the poor. They had soup kitchens and provided a wide variety of social services. Numerous reports of fights and stealing by the very same poor people they were serving.

HOWEVER, they were forced to stop giving money to panhandlers. The Catholic and non-Catholic clergy USED to give money out; however, one day one of the Protestant ministers ran out of money. He explained that to one of the panhandlers. The panhandler stabbed the minister to death.

So, they had to stop giving out money.

These people have no impulse control and had to be conditioned to understand that the clergy didn’t carry money with them.

One of my former members of Congress was very much involved with inner city homeless and publicly reported that 80% of the homeless are burned out on drugs and / or suffer from severe incapacitating mental illness.

So, be extremely careful.
 
Al_Masetti said:
For a time, I participated in the work of an inner city parish.

The pastor also worked frequently with the non-Catholic community to serve the poor. They had soup kitchens and provided a wide variety of social services. Numerous reports of fights and stealing by the very same poor people they were serving.

HOWEVER, they were forced to stop giving money to panhandlers. The Catholic and non-Catholic clergy USED to give money out; however, one day one of the Protestant ministers ran out of money. He explained that to one of the panhandlers. The panhandler stabbed the minister to death.

So, they had to stop giving out money.

**Sad story but that hardly means no one should give to a panhandler. **

These people have no impulse control and had to be conditioned to understand that the clergy didn’t carry money with them.

**These people? who are these people? They are our fathers, brothers, sisters, classmates, the ones who defended us in wars…You cannot paint with such a broad brush in my opinion. **
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Be careful out there.
SpiritMeadow said:
Al Masetti;3058425:
For a time, I participated in the work of an inner city parish.

The pastor also worked frequently with the non-Catholic community to serve the poor. They had soup kitchens and provided a wide variety of social services. Numerous reports of fights and stealing by the very same poor people they were serving.

HOWEVER, they were forced to stop giving money to panhandlers. The Catholic and non-Catholic clergy USED to give money out; however, one day one of the Protestant ministers ran out of money. He explained that to one of the panhandlers. The panhandler stabbed the minister to death.

So, they had to stop giving out money.

**Sad story but that hardly means no one should give to a panhandler. **
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These people have no impulse control and had to be conditioned to understand that the clergy didn’t carry money with them.

**These people? who are these people? They are our fathers, brothers, sisters, classmates, the ones who defended us in wars…You cannot paint with such a broad brush in my opinion. **
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Mostly not, because I worry about what is actually being bought for the money. I prefer to give to soup kitchens and the like that address the problem of the troubled and unfortunate.
 
I donate canned goods to the local food pantry. My parish participates in the collection. I bring a bag of useful food to church with me. The panhandlers and other people in my community have access to the food pantry and have other social services provided such as St. Vincent de Paul Society besides government programs. There is no reason in my community for anyone to actually be hungry for lack of food.
 
punisherthunder said:
Should I feel bad about not giving money to panhandlers?

The other night I was downtown and I was approached by a homeless woman. Now our city has a law banning panhandling, but she cornered me on a sidewalk and explained to me how she had no money, was cold, no food, etc.

I literally had no money on me, just a debit card. I did offer to point here in the direction of a Catholic Church just a few blocks away. I know she would be able to get a little food and possibly some money. This woman balked at the idea of going to the Church for help, and she just wanted money.

Then yesterday, my father who is a landscaper, went by the homeless shelter downtown and offered to hire out a couple people willing to work for him with some landscaping. They all balked at this as well. He told me they all wanted money, but didn’t want to work for it.

I feel conflicted because the Bible says would should give to charity and help others. I’m reminded of when Jesus said “when I was naked, did you clothe me? when I was hungry did you feed me?” .

Anyone else feel like this?
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I live in a small metro area where it is not uncommon to see folks at the highway exits with the “will work for food” signs.

It is also not unusual to be approached at store entrances by folks looking for money . I seem to be a magnet for these types.

Some I presume will use the money for drugs or whatever.

But I give anyway. I am in no position to pass an accurate judgement.
 
Colorado_Mike said:
I try to give - our priest reminds us that we are to give not to necessarily benefit the recipient, but to benefit ME. By giving I allow the Holy Spirit to encourage a spirit of generosity within me. We should give without regard to what the person will do with it - it is a gift. If I don’t want to give or I’m resentful, it means I should probably be praying more and get to confession.
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Hi Mike, I don’t think we should give them money for drugs or alcohol. God expects us to be generious, but he also expects us to be good stewards of our funds too. And, to use wisdom while being harmless. I suggest you keep some gift certificates for food in your wallet. So, when confronted you take them to a fast food place and use the certificate. So, they can not trade the certificate for booze. *Those who refused to work, simply don’t want to play by the rules. * Homeless shulters have rules. Soup kitchens also have rules. even the salvation army food truck has rules. If someone is sleeping in an alley, ask them why they are not going to the homeless shulter, often you will get a song and dance that boils down to, “I don’t want to live by their rules.” Do not give them gift certificates to grocery stores because many of the stores will let them purchase a very small item, and give them cash back, or will even let them buy beer and cigerattes. Fast Food store certificates can be for specific items like a whopper, fries and pop.
 
Mark 12

41And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.

42And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.

43And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:

44For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.

biblicalmites.com/html/widows_mites_coins.html

We do not know what value in US coins a lead mite would equal. We can only guess it would be like giving away the very last of your pocket change, maybe a dime, nickel or penny.

So, it is a blessing to give out of our poverty. Matthew 25
 
Cathryn said:
I donate canned goods to the local food pantry. My parish participates in the collection. I bring a bag of useful food to church with me. The panhandlers and other people in my community have access to the food pantry and have other social services provided such as St. Vincent de Paul Society besides government programs. There is no reason in my community for anyone to actually be hungry for lack of food.
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The only reason is simply they do not want to live by somone elses rules. A homeless shulter for example would be right to require that those staying there not be high on drugs or drunk or violent with others. A soup kitchen would be right to expect people to listen politely to the message or to the singing.
 
The question is, what do you lose if you give to the poor man on the corner? The answer is nothing. You might give him a few bucks but really you have lost nothing. Money is meaningless in the long run and will only get you into trouble. I find it amazing that people can create a logic that will get them out of being charitable. Christ did not qualify His statements in Matt.25, He simple exhorted us to give to those who are in need because He is in them. Do not qualify charity, simply be charitable to all. As Paul says, charity trusts all. If you are charitable you should trust that that person needs your help. You should trust that he is unable to help himself. And if your trust is not on sollid ground what do you lose? Nothing. You have not been screwed. Love is not concerned about getting screwed. Instead you have gained the world. Christ died on the cross for us ungrateful humans who sin every day. Does He begrudge us and restrict the effects of His sacrifice to those who are perfect? No, He forgives all. Therefore considering this I exhort you to give to the beggar. Who is the government to restrict charity? If a poor man is in need of aid who is the govt. to say he can not beg of another for aid and that another can’t give to him? When they do that they have become anti-Christian and they have also put themselves against man. Love is central to Christianity and without it we can not call ourselves Christians.
 
jimmy said:
The question is, what do you lose if you give to the poor man on the corner? The answer is nothing. You might give him a few bucks but really you have lost nothing. Money is meaningless in the long run and will only get you into trouble. I find it amazing that people can create a logic that will get them out of being charitable. Christ did not qualify His statements in Matt.25, He simple exhorted us to give to those who are in need because He is in them. Do not qualify charity, simply be charitable to all. As Paul says, charity trusts all. If you are charitable you should trust that that person needs your help. You should trust that he is unable to help himself. And if your trust is not on sollid ground what do you lose? Nothing. You have not been screwed. Love is not concerned about getting screwed. Instead you have gained the world. Christ died on the cross for us ungrateful humans who sin every day. Does He begrudge us and restrict the effects of His sacrifice to those who are perfect? No, He forgives all. Therefore considering this I exhort you to give to the beggar. Who is the government to restrict charity? If a poor man is in need of aid who is the govt. to say he can not beg of another for aid and that another can’t give to him? When they do that they have become anti-Christian and they have also put themselves against man. Love is central to Christianity and without it we can not call ourselves Christians.
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Love does not necessitate giving money; why not give certificates for food which cannot be used on drugs or alcohol?
 
An old college girlfriend of mine told me that her father always gave to beggars on street corners and intersections. She asked him why, pointing out the likelihood that he was being scammed. His response:

“Whether he’s a fraud or not, he needs the money more than we do.”

Food for thought.

Peace,
Dante
 
If I see one of these unfortunates, I usually offer to buy them food–one guy only wanted a muffin & another an orange juice 9was a hot day). I will never give them money , as i do not want to support any habits they may have. if they balk at the offer of food (even though they said they want the $$ for food), they are probably just looking for cash.
 
jimmy said:
The question is, what do you lose if you give to the poor man on the corner? The answer is nothing. You might give him a few bucks but really you have lost nothing. Money is meaningless in the long run and will only get you into trouble. I find it amazing that people can create a logic that will get them out of being charitable. Christ did not qualify His statements in Matt.25, He simple exhorted us to give to those who are in need because He is in them. Do not qualify charity, simply be charitable to all. As Paul says, charity trusts all. If you are charitable you should trust that that person needs your help. You should trust that he is unable to help himself. And if your trust is not on sollid ground what do you lose? Nothing. You have not been screwed. Love is not concerned about getting screwed. Instead you have gained the world. Christ died on the cross for us ungrateful humans who sin every day. Does He begrudge us and restrict the effects of His sacrifice to those who are perfect? No, He forgives all. Therefore considering this I exhort you to give to the beggar. Who is the government to restrict charity? If a poor man is in need of aid who is the govt. to say he can not beg of another for aid and that another can’t give to him? When they do that they have become anti-Christian and they have also put themselves against man. Love is central to Christianity and without it we can not call ourselves Christians.
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You are right - it costs us nothing. But what of the cost to them?

Each time you give to someone who lives on the street, you are encouraging them to continue to live in isolation and desperation. Every food certificate, handful of change or bag of chips PREVENTS them from seeking help at a shelter or a Church. Our goal, as Christians, should be to help steer them to where they will receive the nourishment they truly need (and deserve). Rather than helping to encourage their isolationism and resistance to seeking assistance through organizations that are specifically designed and set up for such help, we should gently and lovingly direct them to such places, and give generously to our Church groups and shelters that minister to them. The goal is to help the homeless get off the streets, give them a reason to strive for health and happiness (when possible) and offer them the love of Christ. Satisfying our own need to feel we are doing our part as Christians by buying them a meal is a short sighted aim.
 
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