Is it wrong to ignore a beggar?

[StormInside]

If you're walking down the street and someone asks for spare change, is it wrong to ignore them, from a Christian point of view? Jesus said something like if someone asks for your tunic give him your cloak as well. The thing is, since I became Christian I feel I can't ignore beggars, but I have barely any money myself, and a lot of the people who are begging, I don't even believe they're homeless.

 

[Larniavc]

If you're walking down the street and someone asks for spare change, is it wrong to ignore them, from a Christian point of view? Jesus said something like if someone asks for your tunic give him your cloak as well. The thing is, since I became Christian I feel I can't ignore beggars, but I have barely any money myself, and a lot of the people who are begging, I don't even believe they're homeless.

It's possible they are not homeless but is it better to get it wrong now and again or not give at all?

 

[StormInside]

It's possible they are not homeless but is it better to get it wrong now and again or not give at all?

Well, it's not just now and again. There are a lot of well-dressed clean people in my town who sit in the town centre and ask passers by for money. We found out two of them have a council flat and are on benefits. I believe most of these people have more money than me, and there are so many of them everywhere. I have serious finance problems myself. Also homeless charities advise you not to give money to beggars.

 

[durangodawood]

Well, it's not just now and again. There are a lot of well-dressed clean people in my town who sit in the town centre and ask passers by for money. We found out two of them have a council flat and are on benefits. I believe most of these people have more money than me, and there are so many of them everywhere. I have serious finance problems myself. Also homeless charities advise you not to give money to beggars.

Could it be that some of the things Jesus said, according to the Bible, we're particular to his culture, and not applicable to all people and times?

 

[AHH who-stole-my-name]

It's not what others do that God sees when he looks at you. Charity may not be the actual given of things, since God looks at our hearts and I think he will look kindly on those who have it in their hearts to give, but nothing in your hands to give.

If lust in our hearts can make us adulterers, without even touching the object of our desires, than charity within our hearts should also gain us favor with God.

I seem to remember Christ speaking to his disciples and saying that a old women who gave as much as she could was more blessed than a rich man giving what he wanted, even though he's given a larger sum.

i think compassion has a greater octane level than duty, when it comes to us Christians.

 

[Sketcher]

Also homeless charities advise you not to give money to beggars.

When I visited JPUSA, even they wouldn't do it. They'd invite them in for a meal, they'd help out at local shelters, and do many other things, but they wouldn't give street people cash.

 

[SkyWriting]

If you're walking down the street and someone asks for spare change, is it wrong to ignore them, from a Christian point of view? Jesus said something like if someone asks for your tunic give him your cloak as well. The thing is, since I became Christian I feel I can't ignore beggars, but I have barely any money myself, and a lot of the people who are begging, I don't even believe they're homeless.

It is better to volunteer once a month or more at a shelter.
Then you have a card with an address to offer and the
potential to provide real, long term help. I've never yet
found a beggar who had "good" intentions for free money.

 

[His Disciple]

I think we have a moral obligation to ignore "beggars."

Scripture says those who will not work should go hungry. I don't have a problem with that. Second, you really know nothing about the beggar, whether he's just found an easy way to make tax-free money or if he's really in need. Third, by giving them money, you encourage people to engage in that shameless lifestyle, and that degrades the quality of all our lives, unless you enjoy seeing people beg for money.

We live in a welfare nation, where all poor people qualify for debit cards to buy food. We live in a nation where all poor people get free medical care. We live in a nation were all disabled people qualify for monthly government checks. We live in a nation where "poor" women with children get more free money than most hardworking Americans are able to earn.

So, why are you giving that bum money?

If you really want to help those in need, look for charities that serve the homeless. If you really want to help, visit the lonely. If you really want to help, be ready to do the little things when someone is in momentary need, like when someone's car needs a jump start. If you really want to help, ask your church what you can do.

 

[Navari]

deleted

 

[Larniavc]

It's not what others do that God sees when he looks at you. Charity may not be the actual given of things, since God looks at our hearts and I think he will look kindly on those who have it in their hearts to give, but nothing in your hands to give.

If lust in our hearts can make us adulterers, without even touching the object of our desires, than charity within our hearts should also gain us favor with God.

I seem to remember Christ speaking to his disciples and saying that a old women who gave as much as she could was more blessed than a rich man giving what he wanted, even though he's given a larger sum.

i think compassion has a greater octane level than duty, when it comes to us Christians.

By that logic one can think about giving and be just a virtuous as someone who does give.

 

[Larniavc]

I believe most of these people have more money than me,

I think that there is s big difference between one or two rogues in suits begging and the majority of homeless.

If you don't want to give: don't. Rationalising your choice on a website seems pointless.

 

[thecolorsblend]

When Our Lord commanded us to help the poor, beggars were the best example in His society at that time. Begging was such a shameful act that only the truly destitute were desperate enough to do it. Shame was a major thing in His world and was to be avoided. He had compassion for people who were so desperate that even the shame of begging wasn't stopping them.

But most of today's world doesn't operate on a shame/honor paradigm. There is no similar status degradation to panhandling in today's world. As a result it's not uncommon for able-bodied/able-minded people to panhandle rather than seek gainful employment. It's difficult to know whether someone is truly in need or if they are running a scam.

As such, it's worth doing to not simply give money away. Volunteer at a soup kitchen/Meals On Wheels/Toys For Tots/whatever. Donate to food drives or something. Or you can give beggars a flier for nearby homeless shelters where they can get three hots and a cot (and then you can financially support that homeless shelter). But I discourage simply giving away money due to the lack of accountability to it.

We have a moral obligation to help. Period. But for crying out loud be smart about it.

 

[MassiCo]

Great question.

I give, not always but I do. I also try not to figure them out. Like every human being, they have to eat. Better to err on the side of caution.

Set aside some dollars? This is what I do. Also pray (I'll be doing the same thing) ask for the Lord to help you become a joyful giver.

 

[Sophrosyne]

It is best to give to organizations that help people in need than to give to beggars. Often today beggars are con artists who make a lot of money by putting an appearance and it has been shown that many are making a ton of money tax free. Too often people begging only want money and the use for that can vary from buying drugs/booze or gambling if they are near to a casino. Around here we have a John 3:16 mission that can feed someone for about 2.25 a meal if you give someone that begs that amount most likely they cannot afford a decent meal at that price compared to the mission and more often than not the money won't go for food even though the person is acting like they are begging so they can eat. We have even had people around here beg outside of eating establishments and I know some of them want money, if you offer to take them in and feed them they will make up excuses then. In the time of Jesus I think they didn't have a welfare system people were sort of "commanded" to help the needy and for some begging was truly the only way for them to survive at all. Often today people can get food stamps or free food from a food bank if they apply for them. I've had others tell me that one about a story of someone begging at a corner for food and were handed a can of food which ended up being throw at (and damaging) their car by the person.

Again my advice is to give generously to an organization that helps people and when they ask, direct those people to those groups instead. One other issue is when a beggar asks for money in a bad part of town in a questionable area they could rob you if they think you have a lot of money on you when you reach into your wallet or purse to hand them some.

 

[Crowns&Laurels]

If you're walking down the street and someone asks for spare change, is it wrong to ignore them, from a Christian point of view?

Yes.
Jesus is first and foremost the champion of the poor and taught us to be humble and charitable. This is why St. Nicholas is put next to the celebration of Christmas, but all one really has to do is flip almost anywhere in the New Testament to figure that out.

Often today beggars are con artists who make a lot of money by putting an appearance and it has been shown that many are making a ton of money tax free.

Not really, no. Unless you mean 'often' as being 1 in every several 1000. Society needs to face the fact that there really just are that many people on the street, and often for reasons in which they had little control of.

Also, those programs aren't all they are made out to be, and at that, a person could be going to a homeless intake every day for weeks and even months before they actually see even a temporary shelter.

 

[AHH who-stole-my-name]

By that logic one can think about giving and be just a virtuous as someone who does give.

You forget. We are speaking about God seeing into our hearts. Our intentions are always under skrutiny so we always need to evaluate them ourselves and judge ourselves by our own conscientious.

Ofcourse there is other ways of helping out others, but if we want to give and have nothing with which to do so, then this is known by God and he will give you other ways to help, since giving is it's own reward.

 

[smoothrose]

I live in a major city and see homeless people a lot on the streets I am not someone that has a lot of money. What I do is give when I can. I decided when I became a christian that to each and every person I see begging on the streets I at least say a silent prayer for God to watch over them.

 

[Yeshuas_My_Freedom]

If you're walking down the street and someone asks for spare change, is it wrong to ignore them, from a Christian point of view? Jesus said something like if someone asks for your tunic give him your cloak as well. The thing is, since I became Christian I feel I can't ignore beggars, but I have barely any money myself, and a lot of the people who are begging, I don't even believe they're homeless.

Follow your heart. That gut feeling when you see someone asking you for help. If you give because you think you're covering your bases with God following scriptures about charity you're not going to fool God. Because he knows it isn't sincere.

Go with your gut. Some homeless people look clean because they are able to care for themselves at a shelter. There's that too to consider.

 

[Crowns&Laurels]

Go with your gut. Some homeless people look clean because they are able to care for themselves at a shelter. There's that too to consider.

Most people who are homeless tend to find means to wash up every once in a while. The whole dirty sock, haven't shaved in a month thing is 'old homeless'. The 'new homeless' has slightly more opportunities. It doesn't mean they don't need charity, nonetheless.

Also, did you know that's a Wiccan pentagram under that cross on your signature? Just giving you the heads up

 

[LaSorcia]

I think it is wrong to ignore them. They are people and deserve acknowledgment. Even if you can't/don't give them any money, you can say, 'no, sorry', or give them a referral to a shelter. If you don't want to give cash, but believe they really do need help, how about taking them to lunch/dinner? I've actually done this, and it's been appreciated. Can you imagine how dehumanizing it must feel to stand and be ignored most of the day? I would get so depressed.