I found this video interesting. Apparently, people are much more likely to give money to a business man than they are to a homeless man.
Why do you think this is? I suppose it is because people believe that the homeless man is more likely to spend the money on alcohol or drugs than the business man. But is that really true?
In this video, we’re only talking about $0.50, but I sometimes look at the millions of dollars our government and our churches spend on helping the rich in various ways, and I wonder what would happens if we used that money to help the poor and the homeless.
And no, I am not talking about more handouts, food stamps, and welfare…
I don’t have any answers, just questions. I do know, however, that as more and more of our populations sinks deeper and deeper into poverty, what we are doing now is not working. I always wonder … if Jesus were President, how would He solve the growing poverty and welfare problem in the United States and around the world?
I would ask a homeless person if they want something to eat and if they say no then no i would not give to a homeless man or woman, in other words they would not need the money. I have helped homeless people before with food. I was glad to do it. God bless the homeless.
There are con artists in both circles.
As someone who has lived on the streets I can say that it’s easy to come by food in most places. If you want to eat, there is a way to eat. If you want clothes, there are plenty of places handing them out for free. I never went fully hungry on the streets. People were giving away food. Usually if a homeless man comes up to me and asks me for money, I direct him to the Union Gospel mission, if they can’t get in there, they WILL be pointed to a place that will feed them.
Exactly.
My policy is to give neither change. It is to ask them what they need. If someone is hungry I am more than willing to buy them a burger. If someone needs gas I could buy them some gas. I have been burned in the past time after time- I have had food thrown to the ground when the sign said I am hungry. I have had men stick their heads into my car windows in threatening manners. I have had men threaten my wife. My wife used to carry non perishable food and a tract and the phone number and address to the nearest homeless shelter and social services agency- and have it handed back to her. Now I have also on one occasion bought burritos for a lady in the 90’s and she broke down in tears as she was legitimately hungry. Its a tough call. I have seen scams MANY times where people lie and trade sides of the streets asking money for gas and broken down vehicles and the next hour of the day they are doing the same thing and the next day the same thing. Now are all like this? I am sure not and there is no easy answer, There is a lot of mental illness and such. But I stick to my policy. It seems to me Christlike to ask what people need and why- not just randomly hand out money.
I think that if Jesus were made President – no, if Jesus were made Supreme Ruler of the Whole World – no, if Jesus was given all authority in Heaven and on Earth…
I think he would establish his church, and would give his people grace to be able to live his life in and for the world.
I kinda doubt he’d focus on government programs… Although, if someone asked him what kind of programs the government should have, he’d probably have some input…
We are to do good to all men, ESPECIALLY those of the faith.
Just spent a lot more than that helping a homeless person get their vehicle out of impound. Tough when that IS their house. I do find it disturbing that America’s churches avoid paying property taxes, which help the poor, on about $235 billion and then brag about giving about 10% of their income to “missions”(of which a very small portion is normally given to locally needy people). If the church really wanted to help the poor they should start by giving up their exempt status on the billions of property they own. Just my opinion.
Pastor FedEx
You and I see this differently than those who hold the deeds to those billions of $$$ of property, who love to point out that the tradition of tax exempt church properties, and essentially a state-paid “priesthood” goes back to ancient Rome. After all, if the churches paid taxes, the “liberals” in Washington would just use the money to pay for some liberal program, or something like that.
Paying for more temples and priests rather than helping the “undeserving” carries the day. Caring for the poor, the homeless, the mentally ill, the addicts, the hookers is best left to those of us on the fringes, we liberal nutcases who love the unlovable. Don’t we know Jesus needs more and bigger temples?
We do not carry money with us when we’re with the homeless. But we do carry water, sandwiches, crackers, fruit, hygiene supplies and more. Giving money may be appropriate when we know it is being used for needs items instead of to support habits. However, there is no simple solution on this issue. I think it is something we have to decide on a case-by-case basis.
When Jesus was on the earth, he didn’t end poverty. Of course he wasn’t a political ruler, but you’d think God Almighty made flesh could have ended poverty and homelessness if he wanted to. In fact, that might have been something additional that Jesus was tempted to do by Satan in the wilderness when Satan asked him to change rocks into bread. But He didn’t. He cared for them, certainly. He healed and fed, certainly. But he didn’t just end it. I wonder, if he were the President of the World, would he end it? In Matthew 26:11 He says we’ll always have the poor to care for. How does that fit into this conversation?
I give food, assistance, rides, and money. My wife and I have brought people into our home. Can we get burned by con artists? Sure. But the way I look at it when the Spirit leads, I do as He leads…that sometimes means giving unconditionally. I think that sometimes God is more concerned with OUR hearts, and willingness, rather than our vetting the recipient of our generosity.