She gave a beggar her last dime. Would you?

Question

Back during the Great Depression, there was a black lady who lived in an area of Beaumont called the Pear Orchard. This lady did some shopping in downtown Beaumont and had one dime left to catch a bus and go home. As she was waiting for the bus, a beggar came by and asked her for a diime. Back then you could get a great hamburger for a dime, not one of those little bitty things.
She gave the beggar her last dime and started walking home. A neighbor drove by and told her he had to go into town to get some things and if she would go with him, he would take her home. She did so. While she was there she got something a lot of people wanted, a job, a job as a porter at Morgan and Lindsey. She was able to save up enough money to buy a house. She always said it would never have happened if she hadn't given a beggar her last dime.
I don't know if I could do that. How about others, could you.

The house was a small simple house but she was very proud of it.

No, it is not glurge. I worked at the Morgan and Lindsey store on weekends and new the lady.

I mean I knew the lady. It was in the early 50s when I was in high school

Answer 1

God blessed her for her sacrifice.

Mark 12:41-44 41 And he sat down over against the treasury, and beheld how the multitude cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. 42 And there came a poor widow, and she cast in two mites, which make a farthing. 43 And he called unto him his disciples, and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, This poor widow cast in more than all they that are casting into the treasury: 44 for they all did cast in of their superfluity; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.

Answer 2

I have.

I was a 17 year-old runaway at a convenience store along I-70 (it was a two-lane highway back then) outside of Grand Junction, Colorado.

I met a couple, also homeless, named Andy and Mary. Mary was very pregnant, couldn't read, and couldn't make change. She'd been living on the streets since she was 12, and was 19 at the time. They were married, with a license to prove it.

We were panhandling outside the store when the Palisades police drove up. Mary handled the situation like an expert, and rather than being taken to jail we were escorted to the local Salvation Army shelter.

Mary and Andy refused to stay in the shelter because they weren't allowed to bunk together even though they were married. I'll never forget the determination and pride on her face as she stated that she would not sleep apart from her husband.

As they were leaving, I felt a pang of guilt for this pregnant girl who needed to eat right and couldn't afford to. I called them back and gave them the $50 I'd had hidden in my shoe. It was every cent I had.

Answer 3

No i wouldn't. it's sad but i'm too cynical. or maybe times are different. back during the depression, i think i would have felt like a beggar was sincere. now i feel like they are scam artists. they make more money working the streets than they would at a job.

My grandfather asked the men holding signs up saying they were homeless to go to lunch with him every day. In over 40 years of working at a bank in downtown charlotte, he had less than 10 men ever say yes to the free lunch. When I was studying Vietnam, I stopped by every one that had a Nam Vet sign and offered them $10 to allow me to interview them about their time in the war. I asked roughly 50 men and only found 1 who was a real Viet Vet.

I've actually given one in Europe all the change I had in that currency as we were about to leave that country--and he called me a name. I told him if he didnt want my change to give it back to me, and he returned it. Apparently he was too rich to need probably around $1.

However in Baltimore I offered one my leftovers from an Italian restaurant. They were still hot and I told him if he was just going to throw it away, not to take it but if he was really hungry he could have it. He ate fine Italian that night and was very appreciative.

I don't know the story of every homeless man out there and I feel bad that the number of scam artists out there have made me so cynical that I wouldn't give my last dime to a bum. I'm sure there are some out there that really need it to, but I'm too jaded--too pessimistic--or perhaps too educated to believe them. I wish I had the spirit of that black lady. I wish times weren't so very different.

Answer 4

Yes. Not only that, but I have even given people cars whom I have seen needed one in my day. In return, I never lacked a thing as something better always came along to make up for doing so. I have even fed people who had nothing to eat and in return "luck" always came my way, believe it or not........Hord the dime, or expect better around the corner, I'll take what may be around the corner to the dime anyday.........

Answer 5

No. I gave a beggar $30.

Answer 6

No, I doubt if I could save enough to buy a house at porter's wages.

Answer 7

I was broke (meaning not even a penny) after getting necessity groceries (bread, milk, eggs kind of stuff) so I gave one of my loaves of bread and asked if she knew where the local mission was.

Answer 8

Yes i would as i have given others my absolute last cent many times,Even if i didnt have all i needed i always feel that maybe they have a more important need than me.

Answer 9

I don't know if I ever gave my last but I guess I should be more generous. I do believe if you give you will receive back far more than you gave.

Answer 10

yes i would in a heart beat . the feeling of knowing u helped some one is priceless,