How much do we owe other people?

Question

There's so much unhappiness out there, how much are we duty-bound to address? If someone came knocking on your door in the middle of the night asking for food, what would you do? Are there some people to whom we owe everything and others to whom we owe nothing?

Answer 1

Actually that did happen to me sort of. This drunk woman came knocking on my door with a story about how some guy left her stuck there.

So I let her in and asked if she wanted something to drink. She said she wanted a soda and I gave her one. While she sat and drank the soda, I called the police and they told me that they were already on their way. So we just sat in the living room and eventually the cops came and took her away and we all went to bed.

Sometimes I'll use that night to scare my nephew into not staying up so late playing video games or watching t.v. I'll say "You want some drunk lady banging on the door at 2 in the morning again?" and he'll shut it off and go to his room.

Answer 2

We owe our fellow man kindness and proper courtesy. When we see someone in need we "should" be willing to help without being asked to.
We cannot force such compassion however, as the government seems to wish to do. Kindness should come from the heart, not the taxing of the pocket book.

Answer 3

You don't owe anyone anything.
But it would be nice if you had a good heart and WANTED to give without necessarily owing, depending on the situation.

Answer 4

We should do the little things that we can,of course feed somone if you can but really we can 't take care of everyone.
People have to also try to take care of themselves.