On one hand, Jesus describes how those who will be saved will have been feeding the poor and clothing the naked, et cetera; and, in the process, they will have been serving--in addition to the poor and naked--Jesus Himself. Obviously, there is a clear biblical basis for serving the poor.
On the other hand, if this guy were really needy, why would he try to get alms from college students? In fact, one of his signs says, "Will work for food." What sort of work would college students have for him to do? Their term papers? Something just doesn't seem right about the whole thing.
So what am I supposed to do? Do I snub him, and miss an opportunity to show the love of Jesus to a poor man? Or, do I wisely invest my money in the needs of those who are really poor (in which category this man might not fall)? I have, in the past, given some money to people on the street (not often, and not much), but should I be doing it more often? What are your convictions about this?
9 comments:
I share your mixed feelings on this issue. I was approached the other day (close to campus, but not on it) by someone and gave him $2, having no idea how poor he was or how he would spend it. There are many cases in which giving seems dangerous or unwise, and this issue confronts me with every situation I encounter.
I echo these sentiments. I often wonder if the best thing to do (supposing I reasonably have the time) is to offer to go buy him (and others like him) a sandwich or whatever. That way the need is getting met (if it really there) and you're sure it's not going toward something else. Have I ever done this? Unfortunately, no.
Like Christy said, it's a bit different for girls with the whole safety issue.
well...my dad is a pastor (a characteristic i share with the ghormley kids) and i've heard many a tale about people coming to the church for money.
you see, that's just it.
they want money.
our church's policy is that we don't hand out money. but, if there is a genuine need, we (or at least the church office) will offer to buy them a tank of gas, or give them food from the church pantry, etc.
you'd be shocked at the amount of people who live off of churches and charities. they just make the rounds, moving from town to town, and it's amazing how easy it is. in fact, there have been cases where people have driven up to the church in expensive cars, asking for money.
i'm not cynical: i'm realistic. the truth is that jesus wants us to love people, and that in most cases, you are doing a person a disfavor by giving them money. they'll most likely spend it on things they don't need, or the things that made them destitute in the first place.
"love your neighbor" does not equal "give money to your neighbor."
Good point, LL CoolK.
i've been thinking about this recently, how loving someone doesn't mean doing to them what they want us to do to them. rather, it means doing to them what's in their best interest. sometimes this is NOT what people want done to them, and therefore love will sometimes not be appreciated by the recipient.
that is true. and if i must have a nickname, let us at least make it something cool---like, oh, say, karen bergquist or jenny lewis or sandra mccracken or jonatha brooke...
smarty pants.
Thank you!
[url=http://vabmuyjd.com/raja/llbz.html]My homepage[/url] | [url=http://emrqcxin.com/pazb/nise.html]Cool site[/url]
Good design!
My homepage | Please visit
Great work!
http://vabmuyjd.com/raja/llbz.html | http://bsltergr.com/bqex/eknz.html
Post a Comment