What if he's an angel?

Question

There's a man standing on the corner
With a sign sayin "Will work for food"
You know the man
You see him every morning
The one you never give your money to
You can sit there with your window rolled up
Wondering when the lights going to turn green
Never knowing what a couple more bucks
In his pocket might mean

What if he's an angel sent here from Heaven
And he's making certain that you're doing your best
To take the time to help one another
Brother are you going to pass that test
You can go on with your day to day
Trying to forget what you saw in his face
Knowing deep down it could have been his saving grace
What if he's an angel?
*************************************************************

Yes.. It's from the song.. But he makes a good point. I remember my mom giving a bum a few dollars.. And I asked her why she did.. And she replied.. What if he's an angel? No lie..
Will you pass the test?

The song is called..

What If She's An Angel - Tommy Shane Steiner

Answer 1

I admit I don't freely hand over money, but I help when and how I can.

There was a man just like that who used to stand across the street from my old house in Anaheim. I bought him lunch one day and brought it to him and he burst into tears. I sat and talked with him - he said he was a Viernam vet and I was the first person in *months* to treat him like a human being, then he called me an angel and said he'd remember me in his prayers for the rest of his days. I went home and cried - because it made me sad that something so simple caused him to be so grateful.

Another guy used to come by our house and mow our lawn. My mom always fed him gave him cold drinks and paid him - because he worked himself ragged getting our yard into shape. When he started, he was haggard, thin, unshaven and his clothes had holes.

Six months later, he came to tell us he couldn't mow our lawn anymore because he'd gotten an apartment and a job. Then he thanked us for giving him the opportunity he'd been looking for an helping turn his life around. He'd been on the street for years, couldn't get anyone to let him work for them - until we did. Then we worked his way up, mowing all the lawns in our neighborhood until he gradually got himself back on his feet.

In the town I live in, there's an event every Memorial Day called "Veteran's Stand Down" and it's a 3 day campout at the fairgrounds, where they make medical, dental, optical, etc. care available for free to veterans, especially those that are homeless.

I don't think so much about whether the person is an angel in disguise, but I do often hear a phrase in my mind: "There, but for the grace of God, go I," and I think about how I'd want to be treated if it was me out there.

Answer 2

I always give a little something... just in case! My husband says I'm a sucker for a con man. 'Those kind of people' probably make more money than we do. One time, we were at a car wash, a man claiming he's deaf and dumb, handed me a card with sign language. I've seen it before, you probably have too. When he placed the money in one of his cargo pants pockets, it was overflowing with money, along with all the other pockets. Then, there was another time that a young couple and a dog, the girl and dog on one side of the street, the boy on the other, holding up signs that their car was broke down and they needed gas money. I was in the far left lane and could not contribute, but I watched others handing over money. The next day, they were holding up the same signs, in the same place except the girl and boy swapped corners. I felt betrayed in my belief that they were in need of help. I try to see the good in people. Anyway... I keep the faith and share a couple of bucks when I can. You never know, it could be an angel!

Answer 3

I care about the homeless, really. I find it to be the social concern that affects me the most, and in whatever small way I can help, I do so...but I don't like giving money to panhandlers. I have, and I am sure I will again, but I can never shake the feeling that some of them are just lazy, or drunks/addicts, and I cannot condone supporting those bad habits.

I am not painting all homeless people with the same brush; I know there are some with serious emotional and physical concerns, or for whom life has been cruelly unkind; but I prefer to give my money to organizations whose sole purpose is to help the needy, like the Red Cross and The Salvation Army.

Also, I would not give money to anyone because they "might be an angel", and therefore I pass a test..because then you are just doing it to play it safe, which is also how I feel about religion; I don't believe in any of the religions, and I am not going to just to be on the safe side.

Answer 4

You started out good with the question and your first comment. Then I see you went of into the ways of the world - Why?

You said the "Man had a sign that said, 'will work for food'. How did the money get into the question? Yes I see your related experience and the fact your mother did give money to someone, but did that someone have a sign that said "will work for food"?

The suposed man or angel was not asking for money. He was asking for food to be the payment of work. Now why would an Angel ask for food? Do you have any evidence that such ever happened?

I read that angels eat angel food refering to heavenly angels. If you are using the word angel in general to mean someone sent, then why did you not give him work? That is what he was asking for and then pay the work with food?

Judy_r8 gave a good answer as it appears she takes care of needs. This sign holder described his need as food and was willing to pay for his food with work. So why do you want to give money as a substitute? Are you just looking for an easy answer or solution to prevent you from going out of your way for an angel maybe?

The words written say if one ask for a specific item to give it. They tell no one to substitute something else.

KK made a great comment and in my opinion all should think about it. Don't be led by emotional appeal and the ways of the world. Follow in the path set forth by Your Leader, whoever it is. For me I look to Jesus who when he saw those who were hungry did not give them money but gave food. He supplied the needs directly and did not substitute.

You have a great day and do think about it for a while with a smile.

Answer 5

I think that the Lord is using you right now to help people, because I never thought of it that way before. I will keep that in the back of my mind whenever I see someone in need. Even if the were not an angel, like the people who are rich and stand on the street acting poor, the Lord still saw you and will bless you.

Answer 6

This is actually a common theme in mythology. For instance Pele in Hawaii is often an old woman needing help. Those who get it usually are saved from disaster.
The meaning of these 'tests' are to remind us that we must care for those less fortunate. And yes, I would pass. If I have so much as an extra water or sandwich or a dollar, it goes to those poor souls on the corner with signs.
What thou dost returns upon thee threefold

Answer 7

because of this.theres only one homeless person in the town i live in,im not kidding its a small town.his name is dave but people call him homeless dave.i used to give him whatever i could just cuz hes also crippled and couldnt afford to fix his chair.and then one day,i said hi and he started going on this rant about how i never can give him any more money and that how selfish i am for not giving him more (grateful huh?) and that maybe if i lived out in the cold during winter i would appreciate his situation more.and then the story gets deeper.when my sister was about my age (17-18)she lost her pager,dave found it and gave it back to her cuz he new where she worked.a couple weeks ago,she said hi to him and yet again thanked him for finding her pager and all that,when he said that she owed him and that she needs to buy him breakfast and give him some money.she explained that she wasnt in a situation where she could do that and he started insulting her.this is why i stopped giving money to homeless dave. i hope this clears up ur answer cuz i dont think daves an angel.

Answer 8

"Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it." - Book of Hebrews, chapter 13, verse 2.

That pretty much says it all in a nutshell. It's often when you are in a rush or under stress when they come to test you and yes they test us all. They even know how to drive cars and ask for directions or a few dollars for gas.

As for passing the test, I am sure I have given many angels driving directions (both good and bad) to places they know how to get to anyway. I am sure I have both passed this test and failed it many many times.

Answer 9

My people had a saying about never knowing about a person being an angel. Hobos were common when I was a girl, and I remember the women in our family feeding them, and my grandfather letting them work until they drifted on. You've brought back memories I had not thought of for a long time. Thank you. We should all realize what we have and be truly grateful for it. God Bless.

Answer 10

I don't give out money. I'll give him a sandwich. I've given those guys hats, gloves, cans of pop, various food, but I won't give him money.
And, I'm still passing the test. The Lord tells us to help others, but not be stupid about it.
There's also passages in the bible about those not working but are able to, shouldn't eat.

p.s. I hate that song by Sarah McClaughlin, or however you spell it because then God wouldn't be God, now would He?