Giving to panhandlers

[LundyLund]

My small church group was talking about giving to panhandlers, common objections, etc. Then, Pope Francis spoke on it. Definitely some things to consider.

 

[JanetF]

I agree with the Pope, duh!

If I have cash on me, I share it. If I don’t have cash, sometimes I’ll stop and ask if I can buy them a sandwich and bring it back to them, or just chat with them to let them know they are not alone.

It’s not up to me to guide them in how they spend it, or determine if they are telling me the truth that they are without a job, etc. It’s up to me to see Jesus in them and share my blessings with them.

“Whatsoever you do for the least of my brothers, so you do unto me”

 

[midori]

Sometime around 2001-2005’ish, my parish in D/FW had a woman come in to speak who had had a Near-Death Experience, and spends her time traveling around and speaking at churches.

One of the points that she made that really stuck with me from that night was a point that she had made that was similar to Pope Francis’ comment. Basically, your charity to someone else is between you and God. And the way that that person receives your charity-- whether it’s wasted or used well-- is between them and God. So never refrain from being charitable because “they’ll just waste it”. Even if it’s likely that they might. It’s still your job to be charitable and treat those we encounter with love and compassion and humanity.

 

[Tim_D]

I never realized how horrible of a Christian I am until Pope Francis came around.

Sorry but if I am going to give money in a charitable way, then I am going to give to a person or an organization that I know will use it properly to help the needy. I am not going to give money for people to buy beer, cigarettes or drugs.
*
"One thing people may tell themselves to feel better about not giving anything, the pope said, is “I give money and then he spends it on drinking a glass of wine.”

But, the pope said, if “a glass of wine is the only happiness he has in life, that’s OK. Instead ask yourself what do you do on the sly? What ‘happiness’ do you seek in secret?”*

Why stop at a glass of wine? Why not a pack of cigarettes? Or even some marijuana? Or even engaging with a prostitute? Sorry but giving to the “poor” so that they can continue in self-destructive behavior is hardly charity or even Christian, regardless as to the happiness I seek. Honestly, you would think that a priest, bishop and pope would employ a bit more discretion when dealing with such a subject.

 

[Tim_D]

“Whatsoever you do for the least of my brothers, so you do unto me”

Giving money to people who are going to use it to further self-destructive behavior is not charity nor is it what the Lord intended when he said the above.

 

[christofirst]

I was in the drive-thru at a fast food place last week, and a “free spirit” (maybe homeless, maybe just young and on the road) asked me to buy him two tacos. I felt much better doing that than just giving him money.

 

[Larryk113]

I agree with the Pope, duh!

If I have cash on me, I share it. If I don’t have cash, sometimes I’ll stop and ask if I can buy them a sandwich and bring it back to them, or just chat with them to let them know they are not alone.

It’s not up to me to guide them in how they spend it, or determine if they are telling me the truth that they are without a job, etc. It’s up to me to see Jesus in them and share my blessings with them.

“Whatsoever you do for the least of my brothers, so you do unto me”

Good answer!! I feel the same way and people give me so much flack about it.

 

[JanetF]

Giving money to people who are going to use it to further self-destructive behavior is not charity nor is it what the Lord intended when he said the above.

The thing is we don’t know how they are going to use the money, so I’m happy to share.

 

[InOmnemTerram]

I never realized how horrible of a Christian I am until Pope Francis came around. .

Publicly and sarcastically insinuating that the Holy Father nitpicks and makes perfectly sensible things seem un-Christian is hardly the sign of great, heroic virtue.

There are so many people judging this Papacy, I only wonder why on earth we had to have been cursed with the worst possible choice amidst the hordes of wonderful Popes the Cardinals could have raised from the laity.

 

[Vonsalza]

My dad always told me that if you look hard enough, you can usually spot a character deficiency that keeps the pan-handler in a position of near-absolute poverty despite living in a western society.

I’m sure the same held true for many (of course not all) of the poor in Christ’s day.

We’re not called to psychoanalyze and judge the poor as worthy of our giving.

We’re called to give.

The only time the “pearls before swine” objection might be valid is when you have a degree of certainty that a particular pan-handler will destructively use your gift. Then just give it to the one next to them instead.

 

[txstm]

Just this past weekend my parish (In the DFW area) had a notice in the bulletin advising us to NOT give to panhandlers that show up in our parking lot after Masses. They apparently hit all of the churches in the area on a regular basis. The police suspect this activity may be connected to human trafficking. (They did not elaborate on that point). We are asked to direct them to the parish office, who will provide them with the assistance they need, or to notify an usher who will give them water and pre-packaged food, if desired.
I typically do not give to panhandlers, but do not take issue with anyone who does.

 

[LundyLund]

Just this past weekend my parish (In the DFW area) had a notice in the bulletin advising us to NOT give to panhandlers that show up in our parking lot after Masses. They apparently hit all of the churches in the area on a regular basis. The police suspect this activity may be connected to human trafficking. (They did not elaborate on that point). We are asked to direct them to the parish office, who will provide them with the assistance they need, or to notify an usher who will give them water and pre-packaged food, if desired.
I typically do not give to panhandlers, but do not take issue with anyone who does.

What did they look like? We periodically have a few show up at our parish in Aledo, but it’s always a family (mom, dad, two kids).

 

[Tim_D]

The only time the “pearls before swine” objection might be valid is when you have a degree of certainty that a particular pan-handler will destructively use your gift.

Well, according to Pope Francis, if that "is the only happiness he has in life, that’s OK. " So, now what?

 

[Tim_D]

The thing is we don’t know how they are going to use the money, so I’m happy to share.

So, what if you found out that the guy or girl that you gave money to died from an overdose of drugs bought with the money you gave them? Would you still be happy because you shared?

 

[Tim_D]

Just this past weekend my parish (In the DFW area) had a notice in the bulletin advising us to NOT give to panhandlers that show up in our parking lot after Masses. They apparently hit all of the churches in the area on a regular basis. The police suspect this activity may be connected to human trafficking. (They did not elaborate on that point). We are asked to direct them to the parish office, who will provide them with the assistance they need, or to notify an usher who will give them water and pre-packaged food, if desired.
I typically do not give to panhandlers, but do not take issue with anyone who does.

That’s the new trend; hanging out in church parking lots hoping to guilt members into giving. I live by the interstate. It is a very common thing for someone to come up to you while in the parking lot of Sam’s, Wal Mart, the Target shopping center or where Dollar Tree is and start with the spill about needing money for gas.

I was pumping gas one day when a girl came up and asked for some money for gas. I told her “not today.” She went to the next guy, an older man, and he said that he had a card and no cash but if she pulled her car up he would put some gas in. She simply smiled and walked away.

 

[pianistclare]

In general, and to no particular poster…none of us are handing 20 bucks to a stranger.
I wouldn’t wager my conversation on the last day with Christ over my turning my back and my wallet to some homeless person. I loathe the term “panhandler”. No one wants to be homeless and it’s not my business how they got there. FWIW, there are many homeless women and children out there. You’d be amazed how many school.children live in shelters.
It seems MEN in those situations infuriate hard working people. But many have ptsd, loss of limbs, and mental health issues. One you miss 2 paychecks, your wife or family kicks you out and you have no transportation? Well…that’s how they get there. The drinking kills the pain of rejection. I doubt any of the people I give to on the spur of the moment can get liquor because I don’t carry much cash. But they are welcome to what I have. I give to Christ, who was often without a roof Himself.
My 2 cents… No pun intended. ������
Have a peaceful Lenten season.

 

[txstm]

What did they look like? We periodically have a few show up at our parish in Aledo, but it’s always a family (mom, dad, two kids).

It varies, but it is almost always what appears to be a family–a man, a woman, and a couple of children.

 

[pianistclare]

People who worry about scammers only need call the police. They are well aware of that family scam phenomenon and can advise any pastor. It happens.

 

[JanetF]

So, what if you found out that the guy or girl that you gave money to died from an overdose of drugs bought with the money you gave them? Would you still be happy because you shared?

What I’m trying to say is it’s not up to me to decide how they spend the money. Of course I wouldn’t be happy if that happened, but my willingness to share is not the cause of their death.

 

[fastenatingguy]

I agree with the Pope, duh!

If I have cash on me, I share it. If I don’t have cash, sometimes I’ll stop and ask if I can buy them a sandwich and bring it back to them, or just chat with them to let them know they are not alone.

It’s not up to me to guide them in how they spend it, or determine if they are telling me the truth that they are without a job, etc. It’s up to me to see Jesus in them and share my blessings with them.

“Whatsoever you do for the least of my brothers, so you do unto me”

you and me kid