Give money to panhandlers?

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Saint_Gemma said:
You would refer them to said soup kitchen.😉
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I think that is good answer, but if you don’t know the location of the nearest soup kitchen you would not be able to help them.
But whatever works for you.
 
Saint_Gemma said:
I would not do both because with one there is a chance that my money would be used for non-food things, such as alcohol.
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There is a chance that it could be used to buy food and other neccesities. Isn’t it a little judgmental that you just assume that every homeless person you encounter is a helpless addict? Isn’t that a matter between them and God, and not between them and yourself?

That being said, I think helping a soup kitchen is good too. But I fail to understand how someone with a job, a bank account, and a pocket full of change, could possibly deny a homeless individual. I think the “drugs/alcohol” excuse is just that- an excuse used to relieve the guilt of wealth.
 
matthewm said:
But I fail to understand how someone with a job, a bank account, and a pocket full of change, could possibly deny a homeless individual. I think the “drugs/alcohol” excuse is just that- an excuse used to relieve the guilt of wealth.
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Are we talking about panhandlers here, or homeless people? Most of the panhandlers I see don’t look like they’re homeless… they look like they’ve had a shower recently and their clothes are clean, etc. If I saw someone truly destitute of course I’d be more willing to help. Here in Ottawa, Canada, maybe we just have better social services so our panhandlers are better off, I don’t know.
 
^^That’s a good point.

Here in Baltimore, it is obvious who the homeless are. Poor clothing for the elements, deformities, open sores on legs and arms that make you turn away because it is so unpleasant to see.

If they are using the money for cigarettes, they have a higher tolerance for pain than I do.
 
He_Man said:
^^That’s a good point.

Here in Baltimore, it is obvious who the homeless are. Poor clothing for the elements, deformities, open sores on legs and arms that make you turn away because it is so unpleasant to see.

If they are using the money for cigarettes, they have a higher tolerance for pain than I do.
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I live in Baltimore too and know exactly what you mean. Maybe that’s why I feel so strongly about this- it’s so hard too see, especially in downtown where you have college kids on their cell phones and mentally ill homeless with bloody clothes walking the same sidewalk… especially this cold and rainy time of year it must be hard for them.
 
Sometimes it can be looked at as a judgement call as to who really needs money or not.
But since the Bible says, give to everyone who asks, I often give even when I don’t have much myself, or at least I give some food or some advice as to where to go.

However, when you live in a big city, there may be panhandlers on every corner, sometimes three on a block. So I wonder sometimes, do I have to give (even if it is just advice) to everybody who has a sign or rattles his/her spare change cup, even if they are not asking me specifically? That can become very… exaggerated-feeling.

Kathrin
 
matthewm said:
But I fail to understand how someone with a job, a bank account, and a pocket full of change, could possibly deny a homeless individual. I think the “drugs/alcohol” excuse is just that- an excuse used to relieve the guilt of wealth.
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it’s easy to justify yourself if you can find the right excuse that makes you feel good… “she made me eat the apple!”… protestantism…
 
Here in San Diego, there are a lot of pandhandlers at street intersection. They seem to find a good spot and I would see them there everyday. Sometimes young men, sometimes young women, othertimes, someone who looked like they do need help. Before I give to these people whenever I have money on me.

But right accross the street from where the panhandlers are begging for money, I see young kids working; holding ads up for minimum wage. I feel that if I help the panhandlers, that I will be sending the wrong message to kids.

I now say a prayer for the panhandlers that I see and promise to donate more to charitable organizations who does help them for their basic needs.

But it hurts every time I pass them without helping…

Regards,
JL
 
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