IF you know if someone is asking for money but he is going to use to buy something illegal, should you give him money? How do you know if that person is going to buy a gun, and start killing everyone in the church?
I've given on many occasions to homeless people as scripture as told me and I cannot see where the problem is in doing that.
16 And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
17 Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward them for what they have done.
1 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.
44 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’
45 “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’
10 “What should we do then?” the crowd asked.
11 John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.”
14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?
15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food.
16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?
17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
I will talk to the homeless sometimes and tell them to take care of themselves, even more so if they seem they really need help. I have used public transport in the past and in three instances I have given money to some and shared a kind word, one was an old man and he smelt really bad and many moved away including myself, the stench was too much to bear. But as I was leaving I spoke to him, gave him some money, told him to take care of himself and that he was a brother. I thank GOD he has soften my heart towards others as in the past I would have walked past each and every one and not had any concern for them.
I think from my experiences that some need to know others care and this can make a change in their lives. Some have just given up and feel worthless, unlovable and I believe kind gestures and caring can help them think others do think about them. Everyone has a story to tell and it's about time Christians took the time to listen to the down trodden, those in darkness, the lost and lonely and try to lift them up spiritually, and help financially for their basic needs if able.
As for giving food as some have suggested, this tends to not make that much difference. Some will sell it, some will eat it, some will give it to dogs and others I have seen, throw it away. I truly believe helping to let others know you care, that they are worth something, at least to us as Christians and some kind words make a hugh difference.
Many charity organisations take hugh amounts of money out of charities to for pay for ordinary people working in them and I'm pretty sure some of that money will be used for ungodly purposes, drinking, drugs, fornication, adultery etc. On listening to what others have to say about not giving to a homeless person for reasons of their ungodly conduct, the same should surely apply to many charities if this is the criteria for not giving.
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him
We no longer look to be served. We look to serve and give our lives for others. No longer fight for privilege, influence and status. We esteem others better than ourselves and put their interests above our own.
Peace be with all those in the body of Christ
