Soldier4Him Posted July 3, 2004 Share Posted July 3, 2004 (edited) I was headed into the grocery store to buy some soup (I had a craving for a specific brand of Wild Rice) and there was a girl, probably 17ish sitting outside. She looked up at me sadly and asked if I had any spare change for gas. She didn't look very good. I said Sorry, I don't. And she looked down kind of dejectedly and nodded and I continued inside. After going in, it kept plaguing me. The verse about "when you didn't do this for the least of my brothers, you also failed to do it for me" entered my head and my heart sank. I failed to help someone in need, therefore I failed to help Christ. I was wearing a religious t-shirt, and thought what a hypocrite am I! I decided on my way out I'd slip her five bucks. But she was gone, no where in sight. I had already failed my test! Learn from my mistake.... Edited July 3, 2004 by Soldier4Him Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
immaculata Posted July 3, 2004 Share Posted July 3, 2004 S4H, Obviously you didn't completely fail if you learned something from it! It's a tough decision to make, especially in this day and age when it seems like everyone's out there to scam you. Be thankful that you're feeling guilty about this, because it means that at least your conscience is alive and functioning properly! Take it as a learning experience, and next time when you come across a homeless person or someone asking for help, you'll be more aware and maybe find a way to help them. The best thing you could probably do is say a few extra prayers for that person tonight. God bless! ~Kat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iacobus Posted July 3, 2004 Share Posted July 3, 2004 I used to give people like that money when I saw them. It was really only in cities like Chicago, Byron doesn't have them. But when I did it once and they harssed me for an hour and I was worried about getting mugged I decided there has to be a better way. I still get mad and sad when I walk past them, I can't look at them, but I still help by proxy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
immaculata Posted July 3, 2004 Share Posted July 3, 2004 [quote name='Iacobus' date='Jul 2 2004, 11:28 PM'] but I still help by proxy. [/quote] That's a good point. Probably the best thing to do is to help at a homeless shelter, soup kitchen or something like that, so that you're SURE that you're helping people get a warm bed and a hot meal. Plus, you get to see the fruits of your labor, which is infinately rewarding. :wub: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homeschoolmom Posted July 3, 2004 Share Posted July 3, 2004 Yeah, what they said.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebirth flame Posted July 3, 2004 Share Posted July 3, 2004 ok, Immaculata completely took the words right out of my mouth! sometimes, too, money isn't the best thing to give people, either... money can be tempting... it can be used for alot of different purposes... i try to be as creative as possible when someone asks me for money... grant you, car gas is a hard one to improvise with, but what i do is if they ask for money for food, i give them food. if they ask for money for gas, i give them a tank of gas. i remember a thread from a long while ago where thicke was talkin about how he keeps cans of soup or something in his car along with some plastic-wear in case someone he comes across asks him for money... i have run into too many scams and stuff to give people money, and thus i go straight to the root of their problem. not only that, but what you do still counts as tithing! i hope that helped somehow (no matter how miniscule...)! May the Peace and Blessings of the Most Holy Trinity reside within your Heart for all eternity! ~rebirth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iacobus Posted July 3, 2004 Share Posted July 3, 2004 [quote name='immaculata' date='Jul 2 2004, 10:33 PM'] That's a good point. Probably the best thing to do is to help at a homeless shelter, soup kitchen or something like that, so that you're SURE that you're helping people get a warm bed and a hot meal. Plus, you get to see the fruits of your labor, which is infinately rewarding. :wub: [/quote] Yeh that is about what I do. But I like what Rebirth said about what Thicke said (Whoa something tells me that is the start of an urban legend, well this guy I knew on this phorum knew this guy on this phorum... ). I may have to try that. Even beyond that it is probly smart, at least here in the winter, to carry some "rations." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philippe Posted July 3, 2004 Share Posted July 3, 2004 one of the best things is ... if u see a homeless person give them a gift certificate to the grocery store. By doing that ur sure that your money is well spent by them Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BurkeFan Posted July 3, 2004 Share Posted July 3, 2004 [quote name='lifeteener' date='Jul 2 2004, 11:08 PM'] one of the best things is ... if u see a homeless person give them a gift certificate to the grocery store. By doing that ur sure that your money is well spent by them [/quote] Grocery stores still sell booze. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philippe Posted July 3, 2004 Share Posted July 3, 2004 ya but they dont sell hard drugs that they may want if u have any better ideas... its still better then cash Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iacobus Posted July 3, 2004 Share Posted July 3, 2004 [quote name='BurkeFan' date='Jul 2 2004, 11:15 PM'] Grocery stores still sell booze. [/quote] That is one thing I LOVED about the Link Card in IL. It is the IL's food stamps program and it is like an ATM card. The state puts so much money in it at the start of the month and it can be used to buy things at all Link accpeting stores in IL. I used to work at one. The Link system in all computerized and so was the stores. I would scan say milk, bread, hot dogs, beer, and a cartoon of cigerettes. It sorted them out. The Link would pay for the milk, bread, hotdogs all tax free, and than leave them for pay the full price and full tax on the "sin" items. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sojourner Posted July 3, 2004 Share Posted July 3, 2004 Yeah, I never give money directly to people. And in fact, I rarely carry money so I can say with a clear conscience, "Sorry, I don't have any cash on me." I figure giving to my church or to a shelter is a better use of the money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
little_angel202 Posted July 3, 2004 Share Posted July 3, 2004 there was a guy i knew once and he always gave homeless people a cup of coffee or a sandwich if they asked for money and some of these homeless people actually had the cheek to refuse him or acsept the food and then throw it away!!!! i thinks it better giving money to an actual charity~ katy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theculturewarrior Posted July 3, 2004 Share Posted July 3, 2004 Maybe giving money directly to someone in dire straits is bad, because they could spend the money on booze or drugs or even a knife or some kind of weapon. Try buying food for whoever you see. Pray to God that they'll still be there when you get back, but if not, you tried. Maybe they will be insulted by the prospect, or maybe they will be angry that you spent "their money" for them. Most will be grateful. Just remember, it is not our responsibility to read people's hearts. That belongs to God. God is our judge, yours and theirs. If you offer your gift to them, and if you offer it up to God, I promise you it will go well for you. They way I read the Gospels, we should give everyone the benefit of the doubt. That said, be safe, and be street smart. Don't go get yourself killed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ash Wednesday Posted July 3, 2004 Share Posted July 3, 2004 I think it's best to buy them food if you feel the need to give SOMETHING to them -- like fruit, a bagel or a sandwich, or a vitamin-supplemented drink. If they have shotty clothes, consider getting them an item of clothing. Or even give them a bible or pamphlet for a religious devotion. No way I'm giving my money directly to them to possibly be used on booze or a hooker. Giving money to charity to help them is fine, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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