Would you help a stranger asking for food or money? Even if you're 'not sure' of their authenticity?

Question

We all get asked for help by strangers on the street. How do you respond? Did you ever think that God is watching? He is!!
Now I know there's abuses of our kindness, but THINK ABOUT IT. What if that person is in 'dire need' of help? And there's no where else to turn? Pointing them in the direction of a shelter is ok, but what about really helping them yourself? What if, and I know this might be hard to imagine, but what if that person was.. . ..YOU ???

Answer 1

I have helped people. And it has been me as well.

Answer 2

That person was me. Shortly after my 18th b-day, I was homeless for over 8 months, I had no friends, no family, no home home. I lived at parks and spent my whole day walking around the city, block after block, blister after blister. I was too proud to panhandle, I would surely die before I beg. I found a Rescue Mission for homeless people. Chicken soupr for breakfast, lunch and dinner, it was cold and nasty, but I survived. Every city in the United States has some kind of program or shelter that will provide a hot meal and a place to stay. I have seen these pieces of garbage begging for money to get alcohol,now if you give them that money, you are only feeding their addiction and they know as long as you cough up the green they don't need help because they have their almighty alcohol. Then again I have seen people get spit on when they beg to feed their children. Guide them to a shelter, or better yet, go to a drive through and grab them some 99cent burgers and a drink and bring it back. If they are desperate enough they will heed your advice and go to a shelter.

Answer 3

What if it was me on the street? I'd try and work my way up, it would be horrible I know and I would very much hate to be in that position. But most of those "poor" homeless people have drug or alcohol addictions they chose to feed instead of their families. But there are rare cases nowadays where a homeless person is sadly in that position, I do something better than give, I will listen to them if walking down the street. That makes their day a lot more than if you were to give them anything, the conversation will go a long way than a disposable dollar.

Answer 4

Your question is the exact reason we carry a small supply of ready to eat food in our car with us.

When we were first approached at exits with people asking for food, we did what we could and gave them money, but that was not what they were asking for.

Now, I know that only giving them the food is not enough and sometimes I think that they hang out at busy exits so that you will frustrate other drivers if you stop long enough to really minister to them, not just point them toward help.

I would urge anyone that is put in a position of being asked for help to take that as a sign to get personally involved with that one person. No need to make a wide impact on many, help the one that was placed in your pathway. Work with them to get them into a church family so that they may grow spiritually while their physical needs are addressed at the same time. These two should not be separated, they need to be worked on at the same time.
I grew up without a church family, and cannot imagine being without mine now.

Answer 5

Greetings!!!

This is a question that's close to my heart, therefore, in the eyes of SOME, it may be considered bias, self-serving, etc, etc.

Agreed, we all run into people desiring our assistance and oftentimes "SOME" of us become so caught up in our own thoughts of what "ought to be" that we forget our humanity, especially towards man, and ignore the less fortunate.

We justify ourselves thinking that if we give them money for food, etc., that they'll just spend it on drinking/drugging...all based upon their look or dress. In this is error! On the other hand, some of us will say, "well, I give through my place of worship" to the poor, and I say, it's only due to the fact that it RELEASES us from the burden of dealing with the less fortunate ourselves (ESCAPE-ISM).

Often I've heard/read people stating that homelessness, hungar, etc., is the direct result of the individual(s) being lazy and/or worst, and that tells me that these individuals mind-set is self-centered (for lack of a better description). I must admit that this may be true of some, but how are you to tell??? There are not enough jobs for everyone, and the excuse of "IF I COULD DO IT, THEN SO CAN THEY" is about the most selfish thing I've ever heard! If everyone could be an Edison, Carver, McCoy, Einstine or Bush, then there would'nt be "bluecollered' jobs, or less.

It is my opinion that if it is in your heart to give, lends or assist, then do so. This is not to say that you give all your blessings away, but help when and where you can
This isn't the only area of our spiritual growth and development in which we must humble ourselves to, but we must do everything in our power to put something on the credit side of Life. Who knows...that beggar MAY be an Angel!!!

Peace and good Will!!
simmonsbey

Answer 6

I say, "I can't help you." And I mean it. Giving them money wouldn't be helping them. The very act of begging is a violent assault against me using a sick and twisted concept of guilt as a weapon, implying that somehow I obtained my money and success by fraudulent means, that I am guilty of some crime against this person, and somehow I owe this person my money, which is rightfully his?

Well, I don't believe that for a second. My money is mine because I earned it legally, fairly, and through my hard work and the effort of my mind.

I never prevented anyone from making money, never hindered, oppressed, or hurt a living being as long as I've lived that I haven't apologized and made up for personally, so I have no guilt.

The fact is that the opposite of justice is charity, giving what isn't deserved, whether it's murder or alms, it's a use of force, and I stand instead for fair trade, honesty, and reason in all my relationships with other human beings. Your Christian religion is a backwards philosophy of death, and my philosophy of life is clearly superior.

Answer 7

I have and always will help those who ask for it if I'm able to do so. If I have $1 left and someone needs it they will get it. I do not and will not ask what they need it for, that's not my business. It's all a gift from God anyhow and I really don't care what that person's asking what the intention is. I know my intention is to make God happy and pleased with my actions. To me that is all that matters.

Answer 8

If I've got food I'm not going to eat, I'll give them that, but I won't give them money. Some of them are very rude and since I'm agnostic, I really don't have to worry about god shaking his finger at me for not giving a rude person money.

Answer 9

I never help them, if you do you are only asking for trouble. It's their own fault they are in that position so I feel no sympathy for them. I'm sure they could get a job at McDonalds or being a janitor---they don't because they are LAZY and want everything to be handed to them---they need to get off their a** and help themselves and not be a menace to society.

Answer 10

I have and I will continue to do so. I give because they ask and may need. It is really not important as to if and how badly they really need it but as to the state of my heart. I give willingly and lovingly as Christ would have me.

Answer 11

Bottles, you are asking a very private question.The Bible teaches that we are not to help someone and then speak about it. So, suffice it to say, I practice what the Bible teaches.