Is it good to give them money or not? are we really helping by giving them money?
2007-02-07 00:36:30 · 18 answers · asked by flo h 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
This is one of the most interesting, if not most interesting questions that I have come upon since being a member of this forum.
I personally have been fighting inwardly on this because if I don't help i feel guilty and if I do help then I wonder if i'm helping to support a habit and it tears me up to try to judge since I have no authority to do so. Who am I to decide whether to help or not when God says that we should help all. So it sorta tears me up.
After some serious thinking, I have come to this resolve: I offer to guy beggars a meal, a drink, etc... as opposed to giving them cash.
That might not be the ultimate solution but I am more at peace that way.
Keep up the healthy debates and keep the questions coming.
2007-02-07 01:36:15 · answer #1 · answered by Slim Shady 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My views are a bit tainted, I fear. I have been homeless and a beggar. While I had little control over the situations that brought to me to become homeless, it was within my power to bring myself out of it. And, that is what I did. I see many beggars daily. Some, I assume based on my biased, are not really homeless or beggars but those that seek an easy buck with little to no effort. I believe these are the most visible and the individuals that make it hard for many to be charitable. Instead of money, I offer to buy them a hot meal. A real beggar or homeless person would take that offer. A false beggar wants the money.
2016-03-29 09:18:52 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would help beggars, give them money, coffee, or something to eat if I had the money too. But, when I don't give them anything except a smile on my face. It makes you feel better at the end of the day.
2007-02-07 01:11:39 · answer #3 · answered by amazon 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You may be helping yourself as much as a beggar. We all live in this world together and kind deeds tend to come back to you. Its hard to give money to everyone that asks, but some spare change for a cup of coffee on a cold day might really make a difference for someone. And it might make you feel better having offered it.
2007-02-07 01:07:48 · answer #4 · answered by Jon P 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
For the most part, I'd say we are not. Begging is, unfortunately, a way of life. It is the way of life of the needy. But the state of need can quickly become a profession. So sadly, every time you give, you are encouraging someone to keep on living off the goodwill of others rather than encouraging them to take responsibility for themselves. Furthermore, you may very likely be contributing to problems of addiction and alcoholism.
Some people, on the other hand, really do simply need a break and will be out of that situation as soon as they can. While at the other extreme, the professional needy - those that are on the streets begging, month after month and year after year - seem to have made a career out of being destitute (and are probably making more than a lot of minimum wage slaves - tax free). But the problem is apart from the fact you see the habitual needy day after day, they're hard to distinguish. I rarely give money anymore. Sometimes, I'll give out items of food. But for the most part, I prefer to give to organizations that specialize in helping the poor, knowing the resources will be well-used.
Also, I suspect the truly needy are not out looking for change; they're busy trying to give their children as normal a childhood as possible under difficult circumstances.
2007-02-07 00:45:11 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
In most cases, it does not help to give beggars money. The problem with beggars often is much deeper than money. They have deeper issues to resolve, in most cases.
2007-02-07 02:46:13 · answer #6 · answered by sokrates 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on what the beggar wants...If the beggar ask for money for food...Then you walk to the store and give them some..If the beggar ask for money for drugs then you truly see
the need to escape and you tell them your survival story...
Love Ya!
2007-02-07 00:50:00 · answer #7 · answered by BENEL F 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
God gives us the poor so we can help them. You could say that some of them you are not really helping and they'd use the money for drugs or alcohol, but that's on them. In God's eyes giving to them is the right thing, no matter what they do with the money.
2007-02-07 00:43:45 · answer #8 · answered by Joseph's Mama 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Judge not lest you be judged. These simple words expound a world of truth and apply in many different circumstances. Often we judge others unknowingly, and that judgment causes us to stray from the right path. It is not up to you to decide whether one is worthy of kindness. Everyone is. What is in your heart when you give is what is important. Yes, it is good to give them money, what they do with it is no concern of yours. You saw a need and helped to fill it.
2007-02-07 09:09:25 · answer #9 · answered by Slimsmom 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's hard to tell who is really needy and who is not. I usually find a homeless person who is not begging for money. Those are the ones that really need it, but are too proud to beg
2007-02-07 00:44:31 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋