No empathy for the homeless/poor

[josephdaniel29]

Maybe there is some things I don’t understand. If a drug is what makes a person happy and that drug is expensive, how can they feed such an expensive addiction without having a job?

You don’t really want to know the answer to that.

Yours in Christ
Joe

 

[centurionguard]

There are people who just need a hand up (not a hand out) and there are people who make a lifestyle of begging, and there are people who in fact live in beautiful homes, who go out begging for a lark, to see how many people they can trick into giving them money.

What I do is I give my money to agencies like the Drop In Centre, the Mustard Seed, and Inn from the Cold, and I let their expertly trained personnel sort them all out and get them the help that they need, whether it’s just supper and a bed for tonight, or more long-term help, or just tell them to go on along home and quit bothering the people.

mcrae; I just wanted to add a genuine apology to you for everything I said in my last post. I understand that you are a Brother Knight as I am also. It was not my intention to make anything personal in what I wrote. Topics about the poor and homeless can get thrown all over the board with personal bias even if sometimes unintentional. When you happen to be a person identified as poor it can be a humbling experience. Life can be a B…ch! sometimes that throws you a curve ball you’ll never learn to catch.
Anyways; I just want to apologize for any misunderstandings in what you said that I may have misinterpreted

Vivat Jesus
In The Peace of Christ
Chris.

 

[jmcrae]

mcrae; I just wanted to add a genuine apology to you for everything I said in my last post. I understand that you are a Brother Knight as I am also. It was not my intention to make anything personal in what I wrote. Topics about the poor and homeless can get thrown all over the board with personal bias even if sometimes unintentional. When you happen to be a person identified as poor it can be a humbling experience. Life can be a B…ch! sometimes that throws you a curve ball you’ll never learn to catch.
Anyways; I just want to apologize for any misunderstandings in what you said that I may have misinterpretedVivat Jesus
In The Peace of Christ
Chris.

Actually, I am your Sister in the League, but in any case, yes, we are on the same side - it is essential to help the poor, but it is not essential to give money to every stranger who is asking, even if he looks poor.

I have been a homeless person, too, so I do know what it’s like from the other side - believe me, the agencies who are there to help got me off the street very fast, and got me into job training, and I’m doing quite well for myself right now, thanks to the good people who make it their business to help the poor, not with handouts, but with real help.

Again - don’t throw your money into the gutter. Give it to the agencies, and let them do what they are very, very good at.

 

[HeWillProvide]

Blessed Teresa never gave hand-outs - she gave medical care, education, and job training. She started up an Order of Sisters who run a help agency, called the Sisters of Charity.

If you truly want to help the homeless, give something to the good Sisters - they make a whole world of difference.

I have to disagree with Mother Teresa never giving handouts.
Of course she did. She fed the hungry. She clothed the naked.
Aren’t those handouts?

 

[HeWillProvide]

Most of us talk about how the homeless “put themselves there” or they “choose to be there.”

I just can’t help but think about when we stand before God at the end of our life.
Is he going to say regarding our sin, “Well, you chose to do it…” or “Well, you chose to live that kind of life, therefore…”

 

[josephdaniel29]

Most of us talk about how the homeless “put themselves there” or they “choose to be there.”

I just can’t help but think about when we stand before God at the end of our life.
Is he going to say regarding our sin, “Well, you chose to do it…” or “Well, you chose to live that kind of life, therefore…”

What else would He say? It is our choice and our choice alone that separates us from God.

Yours in Christ
Joe

 

[royal_archer]

Most of us talk about how the homeless “put themselves there” or they “choose to be there.”

I just can’t help but think about when we stand before God at the end of our life.
Is he going to say regarding our sin, “Well, you chose to do it…” or “Well, you chose to live that kind of life, therefore…”

Please don’t presume that those who do not approve of enabling bad behavior do not help the needy. There are better ways to help the needy than paying them to stay in dire straits.

 

[IMFORGOD]

My wonderful Mother told me a story not too long ago about a friend that went to another country… Now this person mom knows walks close to GOD, This friend went walking along a dirt road I’m thinking in Jerusalem or similar, and walked up towards what aappeared to be an elderly homeless lady begging for some money, Now Gord saw this woman and thought “Eh I’ll be back later” Knowing full well he could have given her something right there and then. Now as he walked by her he went about 5 steps away and the woman vanished. His Heart dropped like a lead brick realizing that JESUS must have tried to test him. He Failed…
Motto of story is never underestimate a homeless person for you may be rejecting JESUS right there…

BTW that was a true story

 

[royal_archer]

My wonderful Mother told me a story not too long ago about a friend that went to another country… Now this person mom knows walks close to GOD, This friend went walking along a dirt road I’m thinking in Jerusalem or similar, and walked up towards what aappeared to be an elderly homeless lady begging for some money, Now Gord saw this woman and thought “Eh I’ll be back later” Knowing full well he could have given her something right there and then. Now as he walked by her he went about 5 steps away and the woman vanished. His Heart dropped like a lead brick realizing that JESUS must have tried to test him. He Failed…
Motto of story is never underestimate a homeless person for you may be rejecting JESUS right there…

BTW that was a true story

Although in America there are ample if not excessive services to help those in need. Those in need should be encouraged to go to where those services are so they can get real help including counceling. 2000 years ago, giving mone to those on the street, helped them. Today, it can hurt them.It is better to give the money to organizations who can offer complete services, not just enabling.

 

[Benadam]

My wonderful Mother told me a story not too long ago about a friend that went to another country… Now this person mom knows walks close to GOD, This friend went walking along a dirt road I’m thinking in Jerusalem or similar, and walked up towards what aappeared to be an elderly homeless lady begging for some money, Now Gord saw this woman and thought “Eh I’ll be back later” Knowing full well he could have given her something right there and then. Now as he walked by her he went about 5 steps away and the woman vanished. His Heart dropped like a lead brick realizing that JESUS must have tried to test him. He Failed…
Motto of story is never underestimate a homeless person for you may be rejecting JESUS right there…

BTW that was a true story

Wow! A test of true religion that pleases Our Father in heaven for sure! He didn’t give a widow aid.

 

[josephdaniel29]

My wonderful Mother told me a story not too long ago about a friend that went to another country… Now this person mom knows walks close to GOD, This friend went walking along a dirt road I’m thinking in Jerusalem or similar, and walked up towards what aappeared to be an elderly homeless lady begging for some money, Now Gord saw this woman and thought “Eh I’ll be back later” Knowing full well he could have given her something right there and then. Now as he walked by her he went about 5 steps away and the woman vanished. His Heart dropped like a lead brick realizing that JESUS must have tried to test him. He Failed…
Motto of story is never underestimate a homeless person for you may be rejecting JESUS right there…

BTW that was a true story

My friend giving money to a homeless person helps nothing. In fact it is selfish on your part to do so. It may make you feel good about yourself but you are doing nothing but enabling that person to continue their destructive, addictive behavior. It is no different whatsoever from giving an alcoholic a bottle of liquor. They have to come to the realization that is was their poor decision making that put them in the position they are in. Once they do come to that point it can be incredibly empowering. When you figure out it was your bad decisions that put you where you are suddenly you realize that if you make good decisions you can get yourself out of that position. Enabling only hinders that process.

There are many wonderful rescue missions that not only provide a place to sleep and food to eat but also offer job and life skills training. Take it from a person with experience with addiction (I’m a recovering alcoholic and addict) and working with the homeless. People who want help will find it. If you want to help donate money to one of these organizations. Even better spend some time volunteering and helping these people face to face. I can assure you that is far more pleasing to God that helping these people to remain in their misery.

Yours in Christ
Joe

 

[JanetF]

I don’t always offer money, but I always offer help. I’ll offer to buy a meal. I am generous with different agencies that help the homeless. I never want to be guilty of turning Christ away, but it is a fine line between enabling and being socially responsible toward our fellow humans. Just my humble opinion.

 

[Irish_Girl_68]

I once read an interview with the gentleman who was the subject of the movie, “The Pursuit of Happyness.” He had been homeless and living in a subway bathroom before he made it big in the securities industry. Anyway, he advised those who want to help the homeless to give directly to city missions or other organizations that help the poor. He said the people who genuinely need food, shelter, clothing, etc. know to go to these places. He strongly cautioned people from giving spare change to those seeking it and said in nearly every case, it is an addict looking to feed his or her addiction. I haven’t read this entire thread, so if someone has already mentioned this, I apologize.

 

[Catholictrain]

I once read an interview with the gentleman who was the subject of the movie, “The Pursuit of Happyness.” He had been homeless and living in a subway bathroom before he made it big in the securities industry. Anyway, he advised those who want to help the homeless to give directly to city missions or other organizations that help the poor. He said the people who genuinely need food, shelter, clothing, etc. know to go to these places. He strongly cautioned people from giving spare change to those seeking it and said in nearly every case, it is an addict looking to feed his or her addiction. I haven’t read this entire thread, so if someone has already mentioned this, I apologize.

Correct. Never, ever give money to someone you don’t know. Most of the time you are not helping them, but actually are hurting them by allowing them to get drunk or high another time. Take the time and offer to buy them some food at a local grocery store or restaurant. Let them know where the nearest shelter is. But never ever give money.

 

[ewsussek]

Jesus told us not to judge others. We don’t know how these people got to where they are today, now do we know if they are even capable of work.

St. Francis would tell us to unconditionally love everyone. He would tell us to do what ever we can to help them. He would probably go so far as to thank the homeless for giving him an opportunity to show his love for God by helping them.

 

[wwilligan]

You respond to these people by saying you will continue to pray for the poor and give them appropriate financial assistance for food, clothing, and shelter because you see in the poor the face of Christ and because you take Christ at His word when He said “Come ye blessed of my Father …for I was hungry and you gave me to eat…”

Also see the Letter to the Ephesians 2:10

 

[josephdaniel29]

Jesus told us not to judge others. We don’t know how these people got to where they are today, now do we know if they are even capable of work.

St. Francis would tell us to unconditionally love everyone. He would tell us to do what ever we can to help them. He would probably go so far as to thank the homeless for giving him an opportunity to show his love for God by helping them.

Giving an addict money is no different than holding the gun for them while they pull the trigger. You are complicit in helping them kill themselves.

How much time have you spent working with the homeless? Do you have any kind of personal experience? Regardless of how someone got there if a person is genuinely ready for help there is an abundance of it available. There are three Christian rescue missions and one secular homeless shelter in my town. I have worked at two of those missions and I know what they offer. They all provide food and shelter. They all offer life builder programs for anyone who wants to enroll provided that person is willing to work and abide by the rules. That my friend is the rub. A large number of these people have no desire to go to classes and get up and look for work eight hours a day. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had a homeless person downtown ask me for money. When I offer them a bus ticket or to put them in contact with one of the shelter’s program directors they refuse. They want that money to feed one addiction or another (not all addictions involve a substance).

It feels good to give a homeless person a little money, I get it. We have to forgo that momentary high and show genuine love and moral character. Giving a dollar is easy. Making a financial commitment to an organization and a time commitment is more difficult. If you want to actually help the support the organizations that do the work. Then you can go to bed at night knowing that you made a real difference.

Yours in Christ
Joe

 

[josephdaniel29]

You respond to these people by saying you will continue to pray for the poor and give them appropriate financial assistance for food, clothing, and shelter because you see in the poor the face of Christ and because you take Christ at His word when He said “Come ye blessed of my Father …for I was hungry and you gave me to eat…”

Also see the Letter to the Ephesians 2:10

How blessed will the person be who gave a homeless man the dollar he used to by the hit of heroin that killed him?

Yours in Christ
Joe

 

[GEddie]

how do you respond to people who think the homeless need to “just get a job”
or the poor holding signs out on the street for money are just there because “they put themselves there”, etc.?

I’d ask them how they react to persons having a physical or mental disability?

Like disabilities of a bodily type, poverty can happen to anybody. “There but for the grace of God go I.”

And many persons who are poor became poor because of a mental disability.

ICXC NIKA.

 

[centurionguard]

I’d ask them how they react to persons having a physical or mental disability?

Like disabilities of a bodily type, poverty can happen to anybody. “There but for the grace of God go I.”

And many persons who are poor became poor because of a mental disability.

ICXC NIKA.

And many persons who are poor became poor because of a mental disability.

There’s some truth in what you say. However; I don’t believe you can categorically pigeonhole many persons becoming poor strictly because of mental disability.

There’s no quantifiable facts to support what your saying. Too many social variable conditions effect a person becoming poor. Personal Mental Health problems is more of a systemic after-effect to becoming poor rather than saying the reverse.