Occasionally people ask my opinion on various personal or church issues. I recently received the following question which I have reprinted below, followed by my response.

QUESTION

Dear Bob,

When I see a person standing at an intersection holding a cardboard sign asking for help I’m not sure what to do.  I’ve been told you shouldn’t give to them, but I feel uneasy ignoring them since I’m assuming they’re desperate.  I value your opinion. 

Thank you.

MY ANSWER

Even though the economy is the best it has been in decades, it seems there are more homeless souls on street corners requesting help than ever before. Homeless persons aren’t just standing at busy intersections with signs, some may corner you in parking lots and shopping malls sharing desperate circumstances and asking for generous contributions.

Several weeks ago I stood outside a downtown restaurant waiting for the valet to bring my car. I had a $5 bill in my hand that I intended to give as a tip. A homeless man approached me, “God bless you, sir. Could you give me a little something for a meal? I’ve fallen on hard times, and I’m hungry.” I immediately handed him the five-dollar bill thinking I was pretty generous. He glanced at it for a moment and then commented disgustedly, “Well, I guess that will help a little!”  Needless to say, I felt a little underappreciated!  Maybe I should have offered to take him into the restaurant.

Often when I don’t roll down my car window and give to the homeless man at the end of the exit ramp, I feel guilty. After all, Jesus said, “Give to everyone who asks you” (Luke 6:30). Am I being disobedient to the Lord’s instruction by not always putting something in the hat?

A police officer I know who has worked with homeless issues for years says that while well-intended, giving money to the panhandler often contributes to that individual’s long-term problems as well as adding to greater, city-wide issues.  He suggests there are more effective ways to assist the homeless:

“There are some fantastic, non-profit organizations which can better discern the needs and provide quality services for our homeless population, offering them such things as food, clothing, shelter, financial assistance, job placement, domestic violence assistance, as well as help with addiction recovery.  Of the thousands of homeless men, women, and children in our city, the majority of them utilize these services and have a chance of overcoming their situation.

“However, there are others, who some refer to as ‘chronically homeless,’ who refuse or are unable to improve their situation.  While not always the case, it is my experience that the ‘chronically homeless’ are the ones who most people typically encounter on the street panhandling, sleeping on the sidewalk, etc.  These individuals often struggle with substance addiction or mental disorder (or both) and giving them money directly is usually just furthering their addiction.  The repercussions of their substance abuse negatively affects our community, and even other homeless persons, through unsanitary conditions, the increase in infectious diseases, and criminal activity.  Worse, by giving them money directly, you may be preventing them from seeking assistance from an agency that could help them long-term.”

 

So, the answer to your question is not as simple as some might suggest. Here are some additional Scriptures to consider.

1 John 3:17 “If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?” If we’re richly blessed by God, how can we not have pity on those who are less fortunate? However, the phrase “in need” has to be considered: Who is legitimately “in need” and how do we know?

I’ve heard good people say they’d rather be duped by five con artists and help one person really in need than to say no to all six. Maybe so. But we are to practice discernment.

Matthew 26:11 “The poor you will always have with you…”  We will never eliminate poverty. We cannot meet all the needs of every poor person.

2 Thessalonians 3:10 “For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: ‘The one who is unwilling to work shall not eat.’” If a person has the ability to work and the opportunity to work but refuses to work, we are not helping them by giving them something for nothing. We rob them of the dignity and self-esteem that comes from earning the bread they eat. The teaching here is that the best thing that can happen to them is to get hungry enough that they are motivated to find a job, which is fairly easy to do in the present economy.

Habakkuk 2:15 “Woe to him who gives drink to his neighbors, pouring it from wineskins until they are drunk, so that he can gaze on their naked bodies!” It’s wrong to contribute to the addictions of another…even if it’s not for the sinful purpose of voyeurism.

Galatians 6:10 “Therefore as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”  The needy in the church should be given priority.

Matthew 5:16 “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”  The ultimate goal of giving to the needy is that Jesus Christ is exalted and the hurting come to know Him as Savior and Lord.

SOME CONCLUDING THOUGHTS

Individual believers have to make their own decisions as to when to help and when to say no. There is no blanket rule in Scripture that covers every situation. Here are some concluding principles.

  • Followers of Christ should be extremely generous with their resources. Jesus said, “Freely you have received, freely give.”
  • Christians should also be wise stewards of their money. Since we can’t give to every cause and we can’t vet every person who makes a request we have to practice discernment. That includes saying “no” to some individuals or causes without feeling guilty.
  • Since there are credible organizations that specialize in ministering to the poor (vetting the legitimately needy, counseling the addicted, and sharing the gospel) probably the wisest stewardship is to give generously to those organizations and trust their judgment.
  • If you choose to give to those who stand at intersections and beg, make an attempt to give in the name of Jesus. “Jesus loves you.” “God bless you.” “Wayside Christian Mission will help you.” Say something to let the light shine on Christ if possible.

One day as Peter and John were going into the temple a disabled man at the gate asked them for money. “…Peter said, ‘Silver and gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.’” The man jumped to his feet and began to walk. “Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.” (See Acts 3:1-10.)

Jesus did say, “Give to everyone who asks you,” but, like Peter and John, the best thing we can give is something more important than money – the hope of eternal salvation in Christ. Make that the ultimate goal.

“Jesus declared, ‘I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty’” John 6:35.

– Bob

.

Follow BobRussellKY on Twitter and LIKE the Bob Russell page on Facebook