Giving to the poor... how can we know if we're not just getting scammed?

Question

I heard a woman talk about her story today. Her husband left her, her mother recently died, and she is being forced out of her home. I don't have a place for her to stay, but I want to give her money to help out, and so does my brother.

Jesus tells us to take care of those in need, and as a Christian, I feel a strong desire to help those in need.

But with so many scams out there (especially on the internet), how can I know if the money I give away is actually going to someone in need and not just somebody in greed?

And please, no anti-Christian statements please... they are not helpful.

Answer 1

just dont give any

Answer 2

After being scammed by the Red Cross and United Way I only give to my local church .Why should you give money to an organization that will keep the majority of the money they receive for administrative cost ,advertising ,travel expenses , etc. In some cases (not all ) those in need only receive about 2% of what is donated . Don't feed the greed. Give generously to your local salvation army, food bank , or church supported programs

Answer 3

I don't ever give money - I give food, rides to a shelter, give them clothes... My wife and I had taken in a girl who had no place to live with her baby until she had a place. DO something to make a difference. Money is the easy way and really takes little effort.

And if they insist on money, tell them you will hand it to the landlord or take them shopping for food, take her to a shelter and make a donation for her, what ever it takes.

Regardless of your faith or motivation, compassion for someone in need should never be made fun of. I am not christian, but I do respect your desire to help someone. Just be wise in how you do it so she doesn't take advantage of you and if you are going to do something, then DO something.

In your faith, your god bled and died for you. The least you can do is sweat a little for someone else. ;)

Answer 4

Check with the Better Business Bureau. They keep a listing of scams in your area.

You also might feel better giving to a large, well-known charity, like the United Way or the Red Cross. Ask them to send you information on how much of their money goes into programs and assistance (good) and how much goes into administration and other costs. A good charity can keep its costs below 10%.

Answer 5

I do my giving at arm's length. I collect for and donate to Christian Aid. Their charity is closely monitored, so you can find out exactly how much money goes for administration, etc. Their usual method is to provide equipment, food, shelter, etc., rather than just handing out money.

So in a complex and duplilcitous society, we shelter behind organisation. Not bad. It gets the job done.

When people ask me for money, I try to point them in the direction of an organisation that would be able to provide a service.

Answer 6

My church had people come all the time saying they were going to be evicted, and instead of giving them money, we'd ask for the landlord's address to pay the bill. 90% of the people left. The remainder were really grateful

Answer 7

First, i do not imagine that giving of your self to help others is religiously unique. i'm a Wiccan who contributes plenty to my community. Now, you should attempt purely focusing on your position section. i'm particular that there are homeless shelters, battered women human beings shelters, and different such places that ought to apply volunteers or donations, although you substances. attempt contacting the interior of sight branch of the pink flow. on-line charities, except they're being promoted by the pink flow or a similar organization that you recognize is valid, might want to be prevented in any respect expenses because there is an extremely solid possibility that they are scams. yet do not enable the very undeniable actuality that you won't be able to do something on-line deter you from helping out the community in case you experience it is sweet to! Like I reported, regardless of the very undeniable actuality that folk frequently do not imagine of it, there are a range of of in choose all round you who ought to benefit out of your help in regionally-subsidized agencies. shouldn't we help our own human beings as a lot as or better than those in different international places? does no longer it make it extra attainable to help different international places if our own issues were dwindled or dissolved? something to imagine about with regard to those that are "homeless" begging on the streets. one among my co-human beings uncles had a pal in severe college who moved to a city and all started begging. the guy ended up making a lot funds doing that on the area from his authorities pastime that he stop the pastime and replaced into able to pay the non-public loan and charges on a 4 mattress room abode and pay his automobile funds, all off of what he replaced into making begging. I have a tendency to undergo in options this and easily provide foodstuff, no longer funds, to those that are homeless. also, in case you observe something like my husband and that i see frequently, it makes you a lot less sympathetic in the route of them. There are quite a few bums that stand on a particular highway nook right here in Anchorage with signs and indicators affirming "will artwork for foodstuff" even as there's a wide banner operating in the course of the fence in the back of them affirming "Now hiring foodstuff service workers" and a telephone selection. My husband needs to get a photo of it as one among those strange form belongings you want to make certain to trust.

Answer 8

I try to help people in need with the catholic charities. They can get background of people who really need it. I don't give money to people on the street because they may spend it in drugs or booze.
The best thing of working with catholic charities is that not only give food, clothes or money, but we try to help people to get ahead, get jobs or improve their skills.