The homeless

Once at a stoplight, I encountered a man holding a "will work for food" sign. I had just been to the farmer's market, so I offered him an apple. He refused to take it and rudely said, "I ain't got no teeth." That was the last time I offered a homeless person anything.

 

If possible I will buy them some food or give them something if I'm carrying food. Also if I'm near my car I have begun carrying some water and such in my trunk and will give them some if I can.

I just don't give them money. In the past I've bought someone a bus ticket. Working with the homeless, as I was able to in a church plant in Texas, I saw and learned alot. Money is just not an option for me right now.

 

A large majority of the homeless folks around here are con-men and con-women. In my law enforcement role, I've offered them food, tried to buy them cups of coffee, etc...however, if it isn't money, they aren't interested. I've actually seen them go to ATM's and talk on cell phones. That stuff has made me quite cynical, so it would pretty much take someone with an OBVIOUS disability (I'm talking no legs, maybe) or out with kids to get me to give anything anymore. Otherwise, the cynic in me just assumes that they can work and should be out doing something productive.

 

Our church is located on a major north - south road that runs from north florida to miami. We get people coming south in October/november and north in April.

They all seem to come up with the same story. "I have a paycheck I will get on ______... and I just got out of the hospital... do you have some money? I'l pay you back..."

So I rarely give. I think if someone came to our door and told me, "I want to buy some beer", I might give it to them to reward honesty. j/k :laugh:

 

No, I don't give money either. I will buy meals.

Our town has an organization made up of various churches that deals with peoples needs, be it a homeless person or townfolk who need a bill paid. It was set up specifically because we found a number of people were going from church to church looking for 'help'. Our individual church has a different fund set up for members. The organization is for nonchurch members or members of church who don't have a separate fund.

Sorta sad story. We were at the church one evening and a few of us including one of the pastors were sitting in the foyer, chatting. A homeless guy walks in, waves to the pastor and heads off for the restroom. After he left, we questioned the pastor as to why he was on the street, cause our town really does do all it can to find homes for folk. Pastor said that the community had approached this fella many times about getting him a place to stay and he wouldn't. Said he was to used to the way he lived and didn't want to change.

 

In our area we have a organization 'Love INC (In the Name of Christ) that acts as a 'clearing house ' for those claiming to be in need. So those approaching our church are referred to them for their gas money,food,utility bill support, sometimes furniture. My wife volunteers their and you would not believe the excuses she hears. It is a marvel the the people running this organization are able to not become cynical. The local churches help support this organization.
You always see the 'needy' on the freeway off/on ramps but boy they are really scarce when some farmers I know of have gone in search during harvest time!
Occasionally our church when approached by a 'homeless/needy' person have said OK you come to our service and we will help you out afterward. Guess the percentage that accepted the offer? BUT WAIT ! their is hope.
A member of our church took a concern for a person that he knew of that resided under a bridge and helped him out. This person did come to church and is now getting a monthly check for his disability but he still is homeless and will not take his medication.

I have read two good books on this subject one is 'Under the Overpass' the experience of two college students that actually became homeless for six months. and the other is written by a lady Lori (I only remember her first name) but she wrote of her and her churches experience providing shelter and food to the homeless.

 

I hear ya, some honesty would be nice :laugh:

 

I have before and will again, but only when I feel led by the spirit to do so. My initial instinct when I see someone is to pray for them. Then I usually know what to do. Most often nothing. I have seen all the scams and offered food or work only to have it rejected. But sometimes I know that God would have me give something. Usually its not money, but sometimes it is.

We volunteer at our local food bank and make deliveries. Basically we give food out to anyone who asks for it. You see some that are better off than I am just getting what they can get for free and you see others who are really in need. In our community you also see many in need who will not ask for help. The rule at the food bank is simple; if you tell them you need it and want it they give you food. Every household gets the same or similar packages of food each week. But if they won’t ask for it I can’t give it to them, even if I know where a family in need is.

I did buy a guy a beer one time. I was walking into a gas station and this homeless guy stopped me. Turned out it was a guy who used to work for me. I had laid him off a year or so before. Because I bought him a beer I was able to sit down and talk to him a little. Hey I prayed about it at the time and I still believe I did exactly what God wanted me to do. Those of you, who say God would never do that, well take it up with Him.

 

I have seen all the con games at played at our church over the years. A guy last year wanted $1000 for dentures. We have paid motel bills, utility bills, given food, filled up gas tanks, etc. Once I just handed one a $20, and really do not know why.

A couple of questions have always haunted me.

1. Why was God gracious enough to me not for me to be in that situation, and if I was, would I pull the same cons on people? Maybe we would see things from a totally different perspective.

2. Is it really our responsibility to monitor the gift we give? If we are lead to give, shouldnt we just do it, and leave it with God?

 

Hi Cara,

I told you before that you are not allowed to post in 'Baptist Only' forums.

Please stick to the forums which are labeled 'All Christians'.

This is a bannable offense and I don't want to have to do that.

Please take this as a second gentle reminder.

Thanks,
§ue

(Post deleted because Catholics are not allowed to post here.)

 

That is really a good question SN.

If we really give as unto the Lord, then once the gift leaves our hands we have no control over it.

I got took by a burned out family once. I was a fireman at the time and head of the benevolence committee at our church. I raised money and collected furniture, clothes, and gifts for this family that got burned out right before Christmas. Turned out to be an insurance scam. The guy torched his own place and moved everything of value out.

Anyway, the way I saw it, I gave to the Lord not to them. It is not going to stop me from helping the next family.

The problem with most gifts is we don't really want to give, we want to keep that control.

 

I usually have no cash on me and most homeless people cant run my debit card lol. If I have food, I'll offer it. I usually say a small prayer for them as well.

 

With my income I usually can't afford it. But right now in our city the homeless are facing a real problem, one that is fatal.
The temperature (in Farenheit) dropped to minus 47 with a windchill of minus 67. Trying to survive outside in that temperature is deadly. Sometimes the shelters for the homeless are filled to capacity.

 

We should all try to do so as GOD leads us too.

Raed: James 1:27 and Matt. ch. 7....

 

someone asked if we ought to be monitoring the way our gift is used - I'd say no, but we do need to be conscious of who we give to and what bad/harmful habit we could be supporting.

I've been approached by the homeless for money and I've always tried to offer food in return. One man tried to sell my husband and I a $50 Wal-Mart card because he claimed he had no food and needed the cash. Don't know what Wal-Marts are like in your areas, but in ours they had a large food section. When we pointed that out to him he was not happy - which is an odd reaction from someone who was 'looking for food'.

I've been told that they don't want to take the food from my children (but they'd be willing to take the cash that feeds my children.)

I do think we need to be wise with our giving - offering to buy them food, drive them to where they need to go, maybe even offering them a job if they need it - all of those things are far more valuable then handing them a dollar bill.

 

Wow, and I thought our city was cold! I did evangelism in 10 F. below weather recently.

Asahikawa holds the records for the most snow and the coldest temperatures in Japan. I recently heard a rumor that there is a homeless guy in town, but I've never met the guy. The story goes that whenever he has money he blows it on pachinko (pinball gambling), so he doesn't get enough to eat.

In the past I've given small amounts of money on rare occasions to homeless in the US and Tokyo, but they have to endure a witness for Christ before they get it. :saint:

 

Cara, you are listed as Catholic but posting in a Baptist only forum.

 

She has received her second warning not to post in BO forums. I pray that she will heed this one.

 

Consider this verse from Matthew 5:42

"Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away."

Could this possibly be the answer to giving to the homeless?