I'm just curious, how do you feel about helping people?

Question

Under what conditions, if at all, do you help people that have fallen on hard times (again not the chronic deadbeat)? I know we are all drug through the mud on the whole giving thing, but what contitutes a true need that you would help on a personal level (not the big charities; so you can give cash and remain invisible)?

Answer 1

Since my true name is not on here I will answer this, although the Lord tells us not to give alms publically. I have to say that the most recent event in my life that reflects giving is Hurricane Katrina. I live in one of the worst hit counties in MS, besides the Gulf Coast. I and my family have done many things to help others rebuild both personally and through the church. I was amazed at the way the people of MS rallied to the aid of our friends and neighbors. As soon as the storm had passed, people from our town and my neighborhood immediately began to check on the needs of others. The roads were blocked from our house all the way down the street to many neighbors some who we did not even know. People got out chainsaws and went to work cutting down trees and moving them from the roads so that we could check on the others in the neighborhood. Food, batteries, gasoline and many other staples were shared among neighbors and friends. I am a nurse so I went to the local hospital and stayed for three days and nights attending to the sick people that came in from all areas. Many of these people had no money, food, shelter they were all given safe haven regardless of their ability to pay for what they needed at NO charge. As hard hit as we were several people from the church began to donate what they had to send to the Gulf Coast.
Since the hurricane all you hear is people complaining about how the govt. and the President let them down. I will say this, if you have the right spirit and the willingness to work at something it can be fixed without waiting for the govt. to come to your aide. We live in a time where the govt. has actually crippled some people into being unable to do anything for themselves. I am proud to say that my town, and the people in it rallied and went about the business of moving ahead and taking care of business without waiting to complain about the lack of resources or govt. action.
Katrina was a diaster of monumental proportions but we overcame that disaster through team work, prayer and support of all our neighbors.

Answer 2

This is a great question and I have been kindof wondering the same thing. My husband and I have quite a few people that always come to us for help. He is a towboat pilot and makes pretty good money, and because of that people think we are rich. But its hard to say no to the really good reason others need help. I've come to find that others have alot of energy to come and borrow money, but just can't seem to find their way back to give it back. I would rather someone tell me they just can't pay it back then just keep saying they will be over every payday to give it back then you don't hear from them til a couple days before the next day. Now we have a family of 8, and I say to myself, why don't people think we need to survive too. I worry if I don't help others than what would God think of me. My husband goes completely out of his way to pick up another guy for work, and this has been going on for months, maybe even almost a year. So he picks the guy up, the whole way to work this man is bragging about an $800.00 gun he bought, and the new air conditioner they bought from Sears (ours came from Walmart), and my husband asked him to help pitch in on some gas. The guy says how ruff he has it and just don't have the money to pitch in. And on top of that he never has a lunch so my husband feels bad and gets him one. What the heck is wrong with this picture. If you get the answer can you share it with me?

Answer 3

Anytime a person asks me for help, I give it to them.

When I know I'm going to an area with lots of homeless people, I always bring cash and try to bring sandwhiches.

I don't need to judge someone's "true" need. If they ask me, I give.

Dr. C. Everett Koop, Reagan's Surgeon General, said when you give a bum on the street money, you are not feeding his addiction, you are keeping him alive. An addict will literally die without the booze, so he encouarged you to feel you were helping keep this guy alive until he could be reached and gotten into treatment. Because you see, many people buy into politicians who say you shouldn't have services for these homeless addicts, because that's 'theft' or 'socialism' or whatever term they use to hide their own sociopathy. So where's a drunk guy with down's syndrome whose parents probably were missing or abusive to go?

Give the bums a dollar. Sometimes, I give a much bigger bill and the joy I see let's me know there's nothin wrong with this many having what pleasure he can take in the reality he dwells in.

And I agree with what someone else noted here - spend time with people. Not just homeless and other needy people, of course. But, over the years I've talked to many homeless people when I stopped on the street to give money and/or food. It is good to see the god in all of us - and I say that as an atheist.

Answer 4

If the need is genuine one should help a fellow being in cash or some other kind of assistance. If possible without the other person knowing so that the guy will not have any obligation for the service you have given out of good will.

Answer 5

One instance:
A small boy left behind in a store, staring at a toy. It is Christmas time.
His Mom is a single mother, struggling to make ends meet, she can't afford to buy him the toy. Thinking he was with her, she loaded up her car and went home without him.
Another lady comes along, finds him there, weeping, and buys him the toy and drives him home. She then takes Mom shopping for toys for the child and his brother, and for Christmas dinner for the three of them.
Since then, she has been helping the woman...buying her clothes so she can look nice for her job interview, and, whenever she can afford it, buying something nice for her or for the kids.

I've been putting money aside for my little family so they can have a really big Christmas this year.
Shhh...Mom doesn't know. It'll be a surprise!!

Answer 6

It feels good to help others and I never believe in telling your left hand what your right hand is doing. For example I'm getting ready to go help a friend of mine that lost a brother yesterday and my helping her and whatever I like to give I will not come tell my families oh, by the way I went and give this and that and did this and did that no, no, I like to help when it comes from my heart not because my friends will like me more or people might praise me. That is what helping others should be from the heart.......

Answer 7

I help when I feel that someone needs help.

Mat 25:34 Then the King will say to those on His right, 'Come, you who are blessed by My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
Mat 25:35 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 took Me in;
Mat 25:36 I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you took care of Me; I was in prison and you visited Me.'
Mat 25:37 "Then the righteous will answer Him, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You something to drink?
Mat 25:38 When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or without clothes and clothe You?
Mat 25:39 When did we see You sick, or in prison, and visit You?'
Mat 25:40 "And the King will answer them, 'I assure you: Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.'


2Co 9:7 Each person should do as he has decided in his heart--not out of regret or out of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Answer 8

helping people is a huge ministry I am all for it., but on the other hand we need not focus ALL of our attention on earthly charity. You shouldn't spend your entire life making earth a better place from which to go to hell. Helping people financially is great. Sounds to me that you have fallen on hard times yourself.

Answer 9

i agree giving money and vanishing is really not helping.. many a times people should be available for physically helping.in fact very presence phy sicallly boosts the morale of the needy.

Answer 10

Avoid organized charity like the plague,
but help when you personally stumble upon it. Only then it is you who's been asked to help.