This week's dilemma comes from Sam; He's wondering what to do when you come across someone begging for money. Sam works in the city and often encounters people asking for money - from old scruffy guys sitting on the street corner holding a sign explaining their desperate situation; To young people on the train station simply coming up and asking for $2 or $5, supposedly to help them buy their train ticket.
Sam's a pretty compassionate guy and whenever he sees someone in need he wants to help out; but he's torn every time - because also really concerned about where the money's going . If it's just going to help the person buy their next bottle of alcohol or their next hit of drugs, obviously that's not going to help them at all. But he feels terrible if he just walks on by and ignores the situation.
DISCUSSION POINTS
• What do you do when you come across someone begging?
• There's a few options here:
- Give to them
- Give to a charity instead
- Give only to people who seem to be doing something honest and productive - eg homeless people selling the Big Issue.
- Don't give money - only give practical things. Eg take them to lunch or buy them a drink.
• I'd love to hear from you if you've ever found yourself in such a desperate situation that you had to beg or at least thought about it.
• How did you feel, and if you did beg for money, what did you use it for?
• Is there anything helpful we can do for people who are begging, or is the most helpful thing to leave it to the experts - charities doing street work?
EXPERT OPINION - Hilton Harmer, Retired Salvation Army Major who works with the homeless in Sydney.
* Get to know a person who's begging - forge a connection
* Understand that homeless people, even if they choose that life, are marginalised and need support.
* I choose never to give cash but give things people will need instead - eg food, blanket, accommodation, buy their transport ticket. If they have a need, try to meet it.
* Respect that people have a choice as to whether they accept your offer or not.
* Be concerned and always have a charitable attitude towards the homeless.
Comments (3)
My Parents & I went to London, Edinburgh & Paris on a holiday & In Paris we saw begger there it broke my heart to see those people on the streets & the song Give Me You Eyes By Brandon Heath came into my head at that moment in time but we did not give any money to them. In the end my mother told one begger to go away & get a job. I thought "What would Jesus do in this situation". Jesus would say "Follow me & you will get better oppotunity". Jesus cared for those who were poor & so must we.
Posted by JASON FRONM BORONIA VICTORIA | October 1, 2009 1:48 PM
Posted on October 1, 2009 13:48
I live in a poor area and there are regular people in the street asking for money and assistance. One man with dirty jeans, dejected, had a hat out.
I felt God say to give to him and he didn’t even look up. He was very dejected. I’d gone to the bakery and felt God say get him two bread rolls, I put them in the hat on my way back and I said God bless you. His head lifted up and he smiled as if I was giving him gold. Two round bread rolls! He was hungry! I’ve never forgotten his face and will never forget that interaction. I don’t even think he could understand much English but he knew what I was saying. It was heart rending and challenging. I will never forget that man. Another girl I help sometimes is becoming interested in church. It can make a huge difference in peoples lives just to help them in a small way. Don’t stop giving.
Posted by Angela | September 30, 2009 11:34 AM
Posted on September 30, 2009 11:34
I know one or two people who aren't what we'd call the genuine candidate for simpathy. I know that one person for instance just wants pot: My thinking is this: I have known this person as an aquientence for a year now and he has admitted that that was what he had to raise the money for. If he is not going to change and at the present time he looks as if he never will, then is it the lesser of two evils to just give him a couple of bucks when he could be out commiting crimes. It does whre my sympathies down a bit to see him and know that nothing has changed but he isn't about to have a sea change. If people want the thing that will deliver them that temporary happiness and we disagree with there choice, who are we to judge in what is often a very depressing world.
Posted by andrew neems | September 28, 2009 12:35 AM
Posted on September 28, 2009 00:35