What to do when faced with a sign-holding homeless!?

[exoflare]

Aren’t we all so smart, so perceptive. We can see a person on the street, begging for money, and can immediately read their hearts. We know they only want our money for drugs or booze, our Catholic faith gives us this wonderful insight into people’s hearts. We give our few bucks a month into our parish’s St Vincent de Paul collection and we have provided all the help we need to those who really need it. Why, every homeless person on the street, who is truly desperate knows what St Vincent de Paul is all about. Anyone who really needed money would never stoop to begging on the street.

St Vincent de Paul himself would be proud of us.

Spare some change, sir? :crying:

 

[meltzerboy]

Pope John Paul II in his encyclical Dives in Misericordia, “Rich in Mercy” reveals an interesting aspect of giving and mercy.

The giver, with proper intention, actually receives mercy themselves in their giving. There can be a sort of asymmetrical approach to mercy…in which the giver is actually increasing their distance from the receiver. This is not the way to give. When we give, there should be a shrinking in the distance between the giver and the receiver.

We receive mercy when we give.

Who was this Pope to reveal such truth to us…the veil was so thin; he was so sensitive to Truth.

Interesting; but then when would the giver not receive mercy from their giving so that their giving would shrink the distance between them and the receiver?

 

[meltzerboy]

Aren’t we all so smart, so perceptive. We can see a person on the street, begging for money, and can immediately read their hearts. We know they only want our money for drugs or booze, our Catholic faith gives us this wonderful insight into people’s hearts. We give our few bucks a month into our parish’s St Vincent de Paul collection and we have provided all the help we need to those who really need it. Why, every homeless person on the street, who is truly desperate knows what St Vincent de Paul is all about. Anyone who really needed money would never stoop to begging on the street.

St Vincent de Paul himself would be proud of us.

And that is why in Judaism one is supposed to give (if and whatever one can) without regard to the perceived motive or intention of the receiver when that intention is unclear.

 

[dsmantz]

And that is why in Judaism one is supposed to give (if and whatever one can) without regard to the perceived motive or intention of the receiver when that intention is unclear.

As should Catholics and all Christians. Unfortunately, it seems that those who don’t care to give personally will find some sort of justification to lessen the impact upon the heart. Giving to charity is great, but there’s also the ability to put responsibility back in the recipients hand, and pray that they are receptive to Christ.

 

[exoflare]

Unfortunately, it seems that those who don’t care to give personally will find some sort of justification to lessen the impact upon the heart.

Speaking of which, did you see where I asked for money earlier? What’s your excuse?

 

[tafan]

Speaking of which, did you see where I asked for money earlier? What’s your excuse?

Same as your’s when you don’t give, we do not think you are sincere in your need. I am not claiming to be holier-than-thou and giving to beggars everytime I see them. And when I don’t, I often try to justify it in my mind the same as everyone on this web, but I do feel a pang of guilt.

But your sarcasm justifies nothing, besides that we are all sinners.

 

[dsmantz]

Speaking of which, did you see where I asked for money earlier? What’s your excuse?

Tell you what, I go to Austin regularly and have a cousin-in-law moving there this summer to continue her PhD at UT. Next time I’m out that way, I’ll buy you lunch.

 

[outfctrl]

When I can, I always slip them a five.
I keep a five dollar bill in my glove box just for the homeless and needy when I see them.

 

[exoflare]

Tell you what, I go to Austin regularly and have a cousin-in-law moving there this summer to continue her PhD at UT. Next time I’m out that way, I’ll buy you lunch.

Hey now we’re talking.

 

[exoflare]

Same as your’s when you don’t give, we do not think you are sincere in your need. I am not claiming to be holier-than-thou and giving to beggars everytime I see them. And when I don’t, I often try to justify it in my mind the same as everyone on this web, but I do feel a pang of guilt.

But your sarcasm justifies nothing, besides that we are all sinners.

Thanks but that wasn’t addressed to you.

And it wasn’t sarcasm; my cat (shown in pic) needs beer money.

EDIT: oops, I DID ask you too in a different post, didn’t I? My bad.

 

[MaryAnne77]

As should Catholics and all Christians. Unfortunately, it seems that those who don’t care to give personally will find some sort of justification to lessen the impact upon the heart. Giving to charity is great, but there’s also the ability to put responsibility back in the recipients hand, and pray that they are receptive to Christ.

I agree with you to some extent. The good deed of giving is still good no matter what the recipient chooses to do with it. However, when one has limited funds to allocate to the needy, one does need to discern where those funds will be MOST helpful and promote the most good. Unfortunately, my bank account does not allow me to generously give to every person and cause that comes asking.

 

[exoflare]

tafan:

I am not claiming to be holier-than-thou and giving to beggars everytime I see them. And when I don’t, I often try to justify it in my mind the same as everyone on this web, but I do feel a pang of guilt.

Okay, but aside from the initial twinge of (misplaced, IMO) guilt you feel, are you really convinced that you’ve committed a sin by choosing not to give?

 

[dsmantz]

I agree with you to some extent. The good deed of giving is still good no matter what the recipient chooses to do with it. However, when one has limited funds to allocate to the needy, one does need to discern where those funds will be MOST helpful and promote the most good. Unfortunately, my bank account does not allow me to generously give to every person and cause that comes asking.

I completely agree with you here. My family and I survive on my modest public service income. It’s not much, but we manage. Now, obviously I cannot hand 10 dollars or buy a complete meal for everyone who asks. Sometimes I can’t even afford a full meal for my own family. But, I can always afford to give. Be it a cheap “pocket prayer book”, spare change, or spend more than a few passing seconds in conversation. But, somehow, I always manage to come up with at least a buck for the dollar menu.

 

[dsmantz]

Okay, but aside from the initial twinge of (misplaced, IMO) guilt you feel, are you really convinced that you’ve committed a sin by choosing not to give?

“That which you do for the least of these, you do for me.”

It might not be mortal, but venial at the very least.

 

[JimG]

If one must give to every person with a sign on the street, then I presume that one must give to every Catholic charity which sends an appeal letter in the mail. They are equally deserving of help. Or if it is the personal contact that makes the obligation, then many Catholic charities can and should hire people to stand on street corners.

 

[Catholic90]

Okay, but aside from the initial twinge of (misplaced, IMO) guilt you feel, are you really convinced that you’ve committed a sin by choosing not to give?

“That which you do for the least of these, you do for me.”

It might not be mortal, but venial at the very least.

I disagree. Some common sense and safety must prevail. When I was in Chicago, someone approached me asking for money. It was just my son and I. I just shook my head no and kept walking. I was not about to open my purse and wallet in a strange city for a strange person. I did not commit a sin my keeping us safe. For that same reason, I would never give a ride to a strange person either.

 

[dsmantz]

I disagree. Some common sense and safety must prevail. When I was in Chicago, someone approached me asking for money. It was just my son and I. I just shook my head no and kept walking. I was not about to open my purse and wallet in a strange city for a strange person. I did not commit a sin my keeping us safe. For that same reason, I would never give a ride to a strange person either.

Obviously things change depending on situation. Much like someone who suffers from a mental disability lessens the amount of responsibility put on the act. But, a 115 pound woman driving alone, or the mother with young son in tow in an unfamiliar area should not, and are not expected to reach extreme measures, or put themselves in possible danger. I, on the other hand, do not enjoy such allowance.

The bottom line, despite circumstances, remains the same. Do what you can, when you can, without hesitation and without justification.

 

[exoflare]

Obviously things change depending on situation. Much like someone who suffers from a mental disability lessens the amount of responsibility put on the act. But, a 115 pound woman driving alone, or the mother with young son in tow in an unfamiliar area should not, and are not expected to reach extreme measures, or put themselves in possible danger. I, on the other hand, do not enjoy such allowance.

Okay. This is more or less what I was getting around to.

EDIT: also this →

I completely agree with you here. My family and I survive on my modest public service income. It’s not much, but we manage. Now, obviously I cannot hand 10 dollars or buy a complete meal for everyone who asks. Sometimes I can’t even afford a full meal for my own family. But, I can always afford to give. Be it a cheap “pocket prayer book”, spare change, or spend more than a few passing seconds in conversation. But, somehow, I always manage to come up with at least a buck for the dollar menu.

 

[tafan]

Okay, but aside from the initial twinge of (misplaced, IMO) guilt you feel, are you really convinced that you’ve committed a sin by choosing not to give?

Perhaps I need to add this to my examination of conscience. No, I will be honest, I have rarely considered it a sin; but I probably should. The problem with recurring sin is we become immune to thinking of it as sin. I have tried to admit to not being consistent in my actions and my words on this score. Jesus said love thy neighbor, it would seem a prudent thing to do, if we want to follow Jesus’s commandments. When I think about Mathew 25:41

“Then he shall say to them also that shall be on his left hand: Depart from me, you cursed, into everlasting fire, which was prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me not to eat: I was thirsty and you gave me not to drink. 43 I was a stranger and you took me not in: naked and you covered me not: sick and in prison and you did not visit me”

It seems rather cut and dried. Maybe you think the guilt is misplaced, Jesus’ intent seems rather clear. I think I have learned something on this thread.

 

[tafan]

I disagree. Some common sense and safety must prevail. When I was in Chicago, someone approached me asking for money. It was just my son and I. I just shook my head no and kept walking. I was not about to open my purse and wallet in a strange city for a strange person. I did not commit a sin my keeping us safe. For that same reason, I would never give a ride to a strange person either.

That’s a different issue. Rarely does safety come into play in this circumstance. Most of the time, the beggars are at a street corner and all we have to do is crack our car windows. But, of course, if you feel your safety is jepardized, it would be no sin to not give them money. Beware of making excuses to yourself, I think the Good Lord can read your heart better than you.