Pay it Forward! Care for the Poor

[WilT]

****Next time you come across a homeless individual let’s help them out with “5 or better” that is $5.oo or better. This can go along way for them for

1. bus fair (they travel from place to place seeking food and shelter)
2. hot meals from nearby fast food restaurants
3. help maintain a phone for emergencies

so let’s pay it forward out of love.

Remember, what we give has been given to us from Him above

Consequently, let’s not worry ‘what they may do with it’ Give that worry to the Lord and give, give, give! PAX :heaven::heaven:

 

[Sunbreak]

Sorry, but I don’t agree with giving money directly to homeless people. In my area, there are many places that help the homeless and they are not difficult to find or to get to. The homeless people who “work the streets” are definitely getting the cash for drugs or alcohol. This has been observed many times in my area. There’s a person with a sign on many of the exit ramps from the freeways and major thruways - they have each staked out their “spot” for collecting money. Within a certain section near downtown, the bus is free so no need for bus fare and the main facilities for shelter and meals is downtown. There are also a few restaurants that will provide meals for free or low cost or trade a meal for a small amount of cleanup work.There are potlucks in the park on Sunday where a coalition of churches prepare meals for anyone who wants to come. So, there are a lot of resources here and in fact, the city is known as being a good spot for street people. Maybe your area is different, but here it’s better to donate to the facilities that help people rather than give cash to the individuals.

 

[Jared2914]

I don’t agree with giving money directly to homeless because so many of them are addicted to drugs. They can’t help themselves and use it to buy drugs instead of food. However, it is still possible to give back to them. Giving them food directly instead of money will ensure they can’t use your gift for drugs. You can also give them clothes, backpacks, shoes, coats. The only hard part about that is if they don’t fit their size. One day maybe invite them over to a clothing store or out to a meal. I don’t let homeless people in the car, but I will meet them at a store within a few hundred feet (walking distance). Sometimes they won’t did this because they don’t want to lose their begging spot. Also, another valuable thing for them is information. Compile a resource packet of all the shelters, food banks, etc. in the area. You can laminate it so it can last out in the elements.

 

[WilT]

Jesus finds Himself among the poor and misfortuned Mt 25;34-41
34 "Then the King will say to those on His right, 'Come, you who are blessed of My Father, **inherit the kingdom **prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 ‘For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; 36 naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’ 37 "Then the righteous will answer Him, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? 38 'And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? 39 ‘When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 40 "The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’ 41 "Then He will also say to those on His left, 'Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels;

Let’s get hands on if we can. Remember, we await the Kingdom of Heaven not the other place.

 

[Lost_Wanderer]

Wow… so 5 bucks is that easy for you to give away? Down here, that’s a whole day’s pay for me (and I’m promoted)!

It says something that your country’s poor can possibly get more money than what a two-year, middle-class employee gets in this one.

But you know, I actually don’t mind. I love my job. Enjoy my pay. What I may not love though is the idea that some people can ask for five U.S. dollars on an international, online board and think it’s sooooo easy for everyone.

I can barely afford 50 cents for snacks and that’s a luxury in the Philippines. Funny huh?

 

[Joie_de_Vivre]

Wow… so 5 bucks is that easy for you to give away? Down here, that’s a whole day’s pay for me (and I’m promoted)!

It says something that your country’s poor can possibly get more money than what a two-year, middle-class employee gets in this one.

But you know, I actually don’t mind. I love my job. Enjoy my pay. What I may not love though is the idea that some people can ask for five U.S. dollars on an international, online board and think it’s sooooo easy for everyone.

I can barely afford 50 cents for snacks and that’s a luxury in the Philippines. Funny huh?

Your cost of living is also much lower, where I live $600 is the very low end of rent for a 1 bedroom apartment.

 

[Mickey_Finn]

Your cost of living is also much lower, where I live $600 is the very low end of rent for a 1 bedroom apartment.

Like they always say it’s location… We are bound to help the poor any way we can. five cents, five buck, God knows the value of our offerings.

ATB

 

[Lost_Wanderer]

Your cost of living is also much lower, where I live $600 is the very low end of rent for a 1 bedroom apartment.

That’s exactly my point. It just boggles me how this kind of inequality just comes from the odd mix of geography and economics. My uncle spent the later part of his years doing mostly just odd jobs in the U.S.

And yet, he comes home with enough gadgets and meds to make him look like a high-class retiree. :hypno:

 

[WilT]

That’s exactly my point. It just boggles me how this kind of inequality just comes from the odd mix of geography and economics. My uncle spent the later part of his years doing mostly just odd jobs in the U.S.

And yet, he comes home with enough gadgets and meds to make him look like a high-class retiree. :hypno:

I’m beginning now to understand you Lost Wanderer. There is a lot of economic unfairness throughout the world. There should be a method in which the standard of living should be the same for everyone so we can adjust to lower or higher the value of the currency according to the shift of the economy. But unfortunately there will always be greed and greedy, power seeking people in this world so fairness will always be a challenge to accomplish. It brings to mind the scripture story of the rich man and the beggar at his doorstep. The rich man would step over him and totally ignore his want and needs. When the poor man died he was taken to heaven. When the rich man died he was taken into hell. At the end of our lives God will showing us fairness and equality. according to His great desire.

 

[WilT]

Lost_Wanderer:

Wow… so 5 bucks is that easy for you to give away? Down here, that’s a whole day’s pay for me (and I’m promoted)!

It says something that your country’s poor can possibly get more money than what a two-year, middle-class employee gets in this one.

But you know, I actually don’t mind. I love my job. Enjoy my pay. What I may not love though is the idea that some people can ask for five U.S. dollars on an international, online board and think it’s sooooo easy for everyone.

I can barely afford 50 cents for snacks and that’s a luxury in the Philippines. Funny huh?

Sorry, Lost Wanderer, my $5 post idea was mostly meant for us in the U.S… But rest assure we also have poor here in the Americas. In the ten’s of thousands. Our economy is in a recession mode for over 7 years now and the job market is dismal at best. Some of course will be doing better than others during these hard times.

 

[Coatimundi]

Consequently, let’s not worry ‘what they may do with it’ Give that worry to the Lord and give, give, give! PAX :heaven::heaven:

I agree we have an obligation to help persons who are homeless or suffering from other types of severe misfortune. However, I am not sure that a blanket policy of giving $5 to everu homeless person, and them forgetting them, is the right approach. The greater sacrifice, the extra mile, is to get involved in that person’s life. This means assessing their situation and doing what is necessary to give them the help, either short term or long term assistance, that they need. I can imagine situations where $5 for a meal is the right thing to do. However, I can also imagine situations where it is not. If we truly want to help someone, we need to make sure that we are giving them the help they need.

 

[grasscutter]

A lovely idea! And of course the dollar amount is relative depending on where people live.

I don’t mind giving cash. One reason, I don’t know for sure (and how could I?) what they are spending it on - it’s none of my business - and that money (if used for drugs) might have prevented a property crime. Second reason, (sorry if this offends )), you can’t go to a store and trade a sandwich or second hand sweater for tampons. Food and clothing aren’t our only needs and it’s possible that some people (for whatever reason) have outstayed their welcome at the community resources that are supposedly available.

 

[WilT]

I agree we have an obligation to help persons who are homeless…The greater sacrifice, the extra mile, is to get involved in that person’s life. This means assessing their situation and doing what is necessary to give them the help, either short term or long term assistance, that they need. .

The extra mile would be perfect,** but **it has been my experience that for most individuals that ‘Extra Mile’ is impossible for many reasons. It seems easier (but apparently not that easy) to pull a few $ and give. Very little effort required. I have found, even in myself, a sort of resistance to want to help. If an animal would walk by I think I would help it more. It is extremely difficult going that extra mile. I believe our purpose driven culture that pushes success and power somehow has an effect on us. When we see someone down and out., will we yell out Get a Job or say He seems healthy enough to work.
Thanks for your note

 

[WilT]

A lovely idea! And of course the dollar amount is relative depending on where people live.

I don’t mind giving cash. One reason, I don’t know for sure (and how could I?) what they are spending it on - it’s none of my business - and that money (if used for drugs) might have prevented a property crime. Second reason, (sorry if this offends )), you can’t go to a store and trade a sandwich or second hand sweater for tampons. Food and clothing aren’t our only needs and it’s possible that some people (for whatever reason) have outstayed their welcome at the community resources that are supposedly available.

very good and real points you make.

 

[thinkandmull]

Do we have to sell all our comfortable stuff to help the poor. I feel dumb asking this, because the answer sounds obvious: yes. But why aren’t we doing it? sinners are we I guess

 

[WilT]

I remember when I first began working with the poor. I fought the idea of helping them out and I didn’t know why. I could not find a valid reason to give up of my hard earned money. Since, I would be helping the poor, I prayed for the Grace to understand the homeless and for me to lose the fright of giving. The Lord reacted quickly. I soon began to give. I would see someone in need in front of the store so while I did my shopping I would pull out several dollars and have them ready for the person in need. Instead of opening and exposing my wallet outside, I simply pulled the xtra cash I had set aside and handled it over to them. This gave me much relief. Now, the second half of giving I had to lose was the question of ‘they’ll just by beer with it, or drugs.’ This was quickly resolved as well. It is God’s money given to me. If a beer keeps the beggar alive and happy for one more day, of a possibly miserable life, then so be it. It is for me to give. Where it goes I leave to God’s hands. This has helped me to give more freely and without restrictions. :grouphug:

 

[thinkandmull]

i feel guilty siiting on this comfy chair on this computer when people are starving. Can it be even possible that I am scrupulous?

 

[WilT]

i feel guilty siiting on this comfy chair on this computer when people are starving. Can it be even possible that I am scrupulous?

If your mocking the poor…then the answer would be YES(about the guilt),
About scruples…can’t help you there!

 

[thinkandmull]

I am just selfishly upset because it seems that i need to sell ALL my things for the poor. But why isn’t everyone else in the Church doing this? Look at all the nice things the Pope has, and yet people starve. What the heck is going on here?

 

[WilT]

I am just selfishly upset because it seems that i need to sell ALL my things for the poor. But why isn’t everyone else in the Church doing this? Look at all the nice things the Pope has, and yet people starve. What the heck is going on here?

Hi thinkandmull,
you have a valid and good question. What has helped me with similar thoughts is that we need, and must focus on, our relationship in Christ and what he may ask of me. Don’t worry about what others may or not be doing but just do what the Lord asks of you. Pray, go to Church, strengthen your will and offer it up to God. The rest don’t worry about.
No, I’m not asking for the readers to sell their homes, cars, businesses and so on. Although those who do will be promised riches in heaven. Most of us can’t. Do your part in life as a good Catholic and don’t worry about others and what they do or don’t do. You’ll drive yourself crazy doing that, plus, there is a danger you may let the Devil in and flood your spirit with more doubts. Unrestrained doubts turn into anger, frustration, hate and eventually a reason to leave the Faith. Give openly to those in need (without restrictions) and you’ll see the Lord personally reward you perhaps not in cash but in spirit and knowledge to Love.