How do you give alms to the poor?

[blessedtoo]

This cynical approach is not in line with Christianity in my opinion. It says, others will abuse your kindness, they will lie to you and they will hurt you therefore you should avoid them. It is completely irrelevant what they do with the money. What matters is that you show them charity and kindness.

It’s got nothing at all to do with how their actions make ME FEEL. But, based on your assertions, I would suggest that your definition of charity is based on how it makes you feel. You feel good because you gave to someone who lives on the streets but you have no concern about how he uses it? True charity seeks the good and the best for the person to whom one gives. Is it in any way charitable to give to those who will use that money for self-harm, whether it is to purchase booze, drugs, or simply to just continue to live on the street one more day?

 

[jimmy]

It’s got nothing at all to do with how their actions make ME FEEL. But, based on your assertions, I would suggest that your definition of charity is based on how it makes you feel. You feel good because you gave to someone who lives on the streets but you have no concern about how he uses it? True charity seeks the good and the best for the person to whom one gives. Is it in any way charitable to give to those who will use that money for self-harm, whether it is to purchase booze, drugs, or simply to just continue to live on the street one more day?

Your cynical attitude is contrary to Christianity. You assume that the poor are lazy, no good drunks who will abuse you. You have complicated the message of Christ. He said give to those who ask of you. He did not say give to only those who will use it as you wish they would use it.

 

[BarbaraTherese]

Your cynical attitude is contrary to Christianity. You assume that the poor are lazy, no good drunks who will abuse you. You have complicated the message of Christ. He said give to those who ask of you. He did not say give to only those who will use it as you wish they would use it.

…well said! Once I set myself up as judge and jury and especially on the poor, I am in spiritual quicksand…judge by determining guilt and jury by determining that guilt to be culpable and sentence: withhold my assistance…

 

[blessedtoo]

Your cynical attitude is contrary to Christianity. You assume that the poor are lazy, no good drunks who will abuse you. You have complicated the message of Christ. He said give to those who ask of you. He did not say give to only those who will use it as you wish they would use it.

A knee-jerk response to poverty is what has helped our country get even deeper into the endless cycle of homelessness. Giving money to those who live on the streets is not a solution. We are not expected to throw our money, or charity away, which is basically what you are doing by giving to the homeless. I am judging no one. What I am judging is the efficacy of such an approach to charity. Even our own dense and short sighted government realized the error of it’s “charity” and revamped the welfare progarms.

To truly help those in need, I give to charitable organizations whose goal is to GET PEOPLE OFF THE STREETS. There is nothing humane about encouraging someone to spend more time living like an animal, begging for food or change, by buying them a sandwich. Better to give them directions to the nearest shelter, or, better yet, walk with them to the closest soup kitchen. There, they will not only receive something to eat and a place to sleep, but perhaps the help and hope they desperately need.

 

[urban-hermit]

I really struggle with this issue too.

I can see both sides - I do believe we are to show our concern through action, even if our gifts might be mis-used … but in practice I cannot bring myself to give money on the street. I only contribute money to the local charities I trust.

But whenever I don’t give to somebody who asks for money, I feel very guilty. It’s maddening because even though I feel guilty for not giving I cannot bring myself to give because I feel it would be “wasting” my limited funds when the local charities I trust (like the Our Lady of Mount Carmel homeless ministry in the Capital Hill neighborhood here in Seattle) would be a much better bet as far as really helping people to change their lives permanently. I do contribute to these groups, and should probably do so more often…

Here in Seattle it is often very obvious that many homeless people are abusing the public’s goodwill. And in a self-destructive way to boot. In my neighborhood the nearest little store, which I frequent, is a Plaid Pantry where there is often a little band of raggedy folks sitting on the ground near the door with a sign “Need Money for Beer”. I usually smile or nod respectfully toward them as I walk past them with my food purchases, but I don’t engage them in any real conversation and I definitely don’t give them money.

 

[jimmy]

A knee-jerk response to poverty is what has helped our country get even deeper into the endless cycle of homelessness. Giving money to those who live on the streets is not a solution. We are not expected to throw our money, or charity away, which is basically what you are doing by giving to the homeless. I am judging no one. What I am judging is the efficacy of such an approach to charity. Even our own dense and short sighted government realized the error of it’s “charity” and revamped the welfare progarms.

To truly help those in need, I give to charitable organizations whose goal is to GET PEOPLE OFF THE STREETS. There is nothing humane about encouraging someone to spend more time living like an animal, begging for food or change, by buying them a sandwich. Better to give them directions to the nearest shelter, or, better yet, walk with them to the closest soup kitchen. There, they will not only receive something to eat and a place to sleep, but perhaps the help and hope they desperately need.

In other words, it is better to do nothing and to ignore Christ’s command than to give them money.

Solving the problem of poverty has nothing to do with giving to the poor. You will never solve the problem of poverty. There has never been a time when there were no poor people and there never will be a time when there will be none. As Christ said, you will always have the poor. The question is whether you are actually willing to love your neighbor. The man asks for money. Are you going to deny him? Christ said to give to those who ask of you. If a man asks you to go one mile go with him two.

Just remember that you as a Christian contain the mystery and signs of God and therefore are a sacrament through which others encounter God. Your actions my save a man or they may condemn him.

 

[BarbaraTherese]

Its not so much about, I dont think, either judging the poor who may approach us, nor judging each other’s ways of dealing with such a situation: “to give, or not to give”…and looking for reasons which are fixed rules (dispensing us of being discerning in various situations and also possibly rationalizing current behaviour) and as a fixed rule right across the board for every situation. Most all approaches in this thread I have thought have something to recommend them, while no approach cancels out another approach.
It is moreso about my interior disposition to the poor. Am I merciful and kind thinking towards the poor? Or am I judgemental lacking kindness of thought? Am I willing to make sacrifices to try to help the poor regarding all that I have as gifts of God for my stewardship, for which I am accountable. Do I truly regard the poor as equals and my brothers and sisters? For if my interior life is sound, then action flowing from my interior disposition will be sound.

 

[blessedtoo]

In other words, it is better to do nothing and to ignore Christ’s command than to give them money.

jimmy,
It appears to me that you are not interested in what I am actually writing and saying.

I give to my Church. They know exactly what to do with the money.

Better to give them directions to the nearest shelter, or, better yet, walk with them to the closest soup kitchen. There, they will not only receive something to eat and a place to sleep, but perhaps the help and hope they desperately need.

This is not exactly “doing nothing”.

I have also volunteered to work for the soup kitchens and have donated food from my business to the shelters.

We each give in our own ways. My charitable giving is not in conflict with my Christian values.

 

[blessedtoo]

Its not so much about, I dont think, either judging the poor who may approach us, nor judging each other’s ways of dealing with such a situation: “to give, or not to give”…and looking for reasons which are fixed rules (dispensing us of being discerning in various situations and also possibly rationalizing current behaviour) and as a fixed rule right across the board for every situation. Most all approaches in this thread I have thought have something to recommend them, while no approach cancels out another approach.

It is moreso about my interior disposition to the poor. Am I merciful and kind thinking towards the poor? Or am I judgemental lacking kindness of thought? Am I willing to make sacrifices to try to help the poor regarding all that I have as gifts of God for my stewardship, for which I am accountable. Do I truly regard the poor as equals and my brothers and sisters? For if my interior life is sound, then action flowing from my interior disposition will be sound.

Beautiful post and I agree emphatically.

I have endless amounts of empathy and compassion for those who are truly destitute and are barely surviving on the streets. This is why I want to see them OFF the streets. This is why I want to see them in a position to receive the help and care they need.

Yes, the poor will always be with us. But are we not expected to help lift them up?

 

[blessedtoo]

Here is the center urban was referring to. It is in the heart of our city, where MANY homeless congregate. How much better would it be to steer folks to this shelter, where they can get the kind of help that only a Christian can offer?
seattlemtcarmel.org/