Should we give alms? And do You?

I don't give cash to beggars, no. It most likely goes straight to the liquor store, or the drug dealers in our area. I HAVE offered to go buy them a burger, or take them to the grocery store and pay for some groceries. I have had several instances where people came and knocked on my door asking for money for food.....so I always offer them some food from my own kitchen.

You'd perhaps be shocked at the amount of times Ive had people turn down actual food, saying they "don't want to take food out of my kid's mouths", yet Ive always wondered at them being willing to take the money out of my husband's wallet.

We even had a man try to sell us a $50.00 Wal-Mart card because he said he needed some food. When we pointed out that Wal-Mart sells food, he wasn't real happy.

I believe that most of the "beggars" of today are not the same as the beggars of Jesus' time. But this is based on only my own experiences.

 

I do not give cash. But I have taken people and bought them gas, food, water, etc. And I would agree wit bapmom in that most beggars today are not the same as in Jesus' time.

 

We have never given cash to strangers, only goods or other help. One time years ago my husband was a deacon and received a call from a relative of one of our church members who said he needed money for gas so he could get to a job interview. My husband told him he would meet him at the gas station with another deacon and they would fill up his car (he gave him the directions to the station), and the guy never showed up.

 

drug dealers in our town now accept food in exchange for drugs.

 

really buckster? I guess that means we invite them in for a meal and a message!

 

sounds good to me bapmom

 

but there is a guy I see standing on the corner in Tyler and I always feel led to give to him.

 

well, we sure can't start quenching that Holy SPirit guidance just because we've been "had" by some. Maybe God wants you to give him a job!

 

We usually do not have very many people begging in our town, The last time I was approached was by a woman as I was getting into my car. She wanted "change' for gasoline. Now really, even at that time, Gas could not be bought with change. I gave her a dollar to get rid of her.
I watched her. she did not go in the direction of the gas station, but went in the opposite direction begging money all along the way.

 

SO, buckster75,I find it hard to believe that drug dealers trade dope for food .

But if that is so are you saying we should wash our hand of them?

 

Yes.

 

I will not be an enabler. "He that shall not work shall not eat" (II Thessalonians 3:10).

 

I'm glad to see my father isn't the only one to rip 2 Thess. 3:10 out of context.

 

SAMPLEWOW

no, not at all .(if you read my response after that you would know that) I'm just saying that I used to give some of them money and they ened up using it to get drugs. and so I started giving them food and ended up using it to get drugs. that is all I said. (you don't have to read something else into that)

 

This made me think of something else....from the opposite point of view.

Did you know that several times Ive been at the gas station trying to put together some of my loose change so I can get maybe a gallon or two to make it a little further, and someone (a stranger) has just given me 5 bucks, WITHOUT my asking for it. They just saw me at the checkout counter giving the guy my measly little dollar and a half.

There are so many generous people out there! I just wanted to point that out! I sure would hate to see any of those "angels unawares" taken advantage of.

 

Not sure about this, but I read somewere that in one state the average panhandler made around $400.00 a day. I do give what I can.

 

I don't give cash. I have offered food, however. About 1 in 5 take me up on my offer.

Each person should do as the Holy Spirit leads them. If they want to give cash, food, housing, or frequent flyer miles, then by all means they should be allowed to give as they feel moved.

 

I liked the approach of my former employer.
If someone asked him for alms, he would offer them a minor job within their capacity to perform it. For instance. "I won't just give you $5, but if you will weed the flowerbed out front I will pay you $20."

 

sorry