Giving to the poor?

Question

I rarely give to people who ask for money like beggers because they are more then likely going to spend it on booze or drugs. I never give to people who are my age because they can get a job like everyone else (where I live jobs are so plentiful) in fact i wish i had the guts to tell the to get a job because i dont work to support them. But today I saw a man begging for money and his hands were shaking like he had the dt's and I couldnt resist I had to give him money so he could go buy a drink because he could be in danger of death if he didnt drink mabye. I know im helping to kill him but is there anything else you can do when you see some homeless dude whos really old and decrepid and alcoholic trembling like hes going to go into convulsions? I feel I didnt help him but at the same time I did..what is your opinions..would it have been better to let him stay sober, or did i help him out by supplying him money to get drunk with.

Answer 1

No , as a matter of fact he could die if doesn't keep his alcohol
level up in his blood system , that is without professional help .
You did the best thing you could have done .
Bless you for helping him !

By the way when something tugs at my heart to give to someone and I do ,
once that money leaves my hand it is no longer my buisness what it is spent on . My heart was in the right place .

Answer 2

Thats a lot easier said then done. first off if you hadnt given him the money someone else would have eventually come along and done so. Getting a job is a lot harder then you might think. For one many homeless people dont have the necessary skills to get a job in todays workforce. They dont have proper interview clothing and no place to be reached for call backs etc. Besides that now days people are all about scamming. You never even know if the person that you are giving money to is even really homeless let alone worrying about if they are going to go buy drugs or alcohol with it. Too many people trying to get over has made it so hard for people who really need the help to get the help. I think this society is a terrible place where we can send millions and millions of dollars of food etc to tother countries and we try to help other countries figure out how to feed there hungry but we can't figure out how to help the ones we have right here in the USA. We need to find a way to help those that really need help and punish those who try and take advantage. I dont think what you did was wrong I mean someone would have eventually given the man what he needed and he would have gotten whatever he was craving. Better for someone to give it to him then he try and go steal it or rob someone to get it. Also another way to make sure that the person uses the money for food is to say look here I am not about to give you any cash money but there is a McDonalds or whatever right over here come on and I will take you over and buy you something to eat. this way you are not giving them cash and letting them use it for whatever purpose they want. I was at IHOP once and there was a man out there begging and I offered him a candy bar and he told me that he didnt eat chocolate so I knew right then he wasnt hungry he wanted money for something else and i wouldnt give it to him.

Answer 3

You did the right thing by giving this person money. It is not our place to judge the person and assume they are going to go and buy drugs or alcohol. We should give out of the kindness of our hearts. If you are ever in doubt for some reason then try buying that person something to eat and dropping it off to them instead of giving them money. I think a lot of homeless people would probably like to have alcohol instead of food or clothing that way they can drink away their problems. During this holiday season i hope that more people will be giving and help out those who are less fortunate.

Answer 4

if you feel the urge to help (as you do sound like a really caring person) instead of giving them money if you are worried about them just spending it on drugs or alcohol, buy them a meal, or a blanket if it's cold out. Or make a phone call to the red cross to let them know there is someone in need.

A hot meal and a warm blanket would do a world more of good than a drink would.

Answer 5

Yes, I do help people when I can. There is a story behind every poor street person, and I try not to prejudge. You can't automatically peg everyone in that situation as a total loser. Many people have horrible circumstances they've tried to overcome, and many don't have the mental capacity to help themselves. Maybe they do go and drink the money away, or maybe they get something to eat. I can't justify walking past someone like that and going home to my comfy home and still be able to look at myself in the mirror.
I would hope that, God forbid, if I ever found myself in a bad situation, someone would be kind enough to even notice.

Answer 6

I think you did the right thing by following your feelings, it's possible he was sick and did not have the DTs. The only other thing you could have done was direct him to a clinic or take him to a restaurant, I advise against that only because in today's world bad things happen in a wink of an eye..I don't have a real answer for you but again I think you did right!
Happy Holidays!

Answer 7

we all make choices in life and we all have to deal with the consequences of those choices.. sometimes eary to say when things are going good but unfortunately, life isn't always fair. I agree with you as far as not giving to beggars as i honestly have no idea who really needs it and who is making a good living off of begging. these people actually ruin itfor those who truely need. as for the dt man, I would have done the same.. if he didn't get it from you, i'm sure he would have got it from someone else. I also tend to look at that fact that i'm gainfully employed aand contribute to all kinds of social programs through my taxes so in the long run, we all help..

Answer 8

If he got delirious and picked up by the police he would be put in the hospital for treatment- for dts and alcohol withdrawal- now if he had Parkinson's w the shakes- he could live w that for a long time- so -- it depends- you did what was right in your heart at the time- I have given people like that food-several times- and usually not money= D

Answer 9

You did the right thing. I would have done the same thing. Maybe giving him the money to drink will be the thing that saves him from himself. Sometimes indulging in the behavior that is killing you is what it takes for you to realize you have a problem. You're a good person...stop beating yourself up for giving him the money and stop feeling guilty for not being able to save the world.

Answer 10

A wise friend once told me that if we help others, we should do it out of kindness and love for them, and not try to guess what their circumstances are, or if they're really in need or just wanting a drink or a drug. We have unselfishly offered assistance and improved our own standing in the world.