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A question about giving to “pandhandlers” or the poor.

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Blaise N

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Hey everyone!

I wanted to ask this question today as it passed my mind and I can’t seem to find an answer to it.

So I’m sure most of you are aware the Bible commends and encourages us to give to the needy and poor,obviously I don’t turn a deaf ear to the needy and give graciously to the needy when I encounter them.

I’ve also been blessed to have grown up with a father who was a firefighter and has known numerous law enforcement friends in his career; so he’s seen and heard of some quite shocking and unusual things.

Among one of the things he’s educated me on is to be extremely cautious around panhandlers.Hes told me they can be unpredictable,such as potentially luring you in and then robbing or stabbing you,stabbing you with a needle or worse.I am someone who fears nothing but God alone,so I’m not scared of giving.

I hate the fact there has surely been fakers who have pretended or facaded to be poor or destitute to take money from people to waste it on useless things like alcohol,drugs,or maybe on ridiculous things.

I’ve found a way around this by giving bottles of water,etc,

But I’d like to know what you all think,surely God sees the liars and fakers,how does he wish for us to approach people who could potentially be faking it to rob you or worse?
Just a question!
 
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Freth

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In my own town there is a shopping center where you see panhandlers on a regular basis. The same thing for another shopping center eight miles away. Most are obvious grifters. We've had the fake instrument players with their families sitting out in front of a minivan.

I saw a young woman hanging near a Starbucks doorway with her dog and a backpack for weeks on end. People kept giving her money. She somehow made her way somewhere to sleep with her dog, and was back the next day. She always seemed to have a cup of Starbucks too.

A few years ago I was going through the shopping center. I had just received some cash money from a family member that owed me. I saw an old lady with a sign, so I parked next to her and got out. I walked over and struck up a conversation. When I got closer I noticed her jacket was dirty and she looked like she hadn't showered in a while. I asked her what her situation was, and she answered. I honestly couldn't tell if she was faking it or not, but I gave her the money anyway. I haven't seen her since. She may have moved on to another area, or maybe she really did need the money and it got her back on her feet.

I look at the situation, and evaluate. Are they an able-bodied person? Have they been there day in and day out for weeks? Do they look unkempt or are they clean like they just came from home? Are they sitting next to a nice vehicle? These can be good indicators of whether they're truly in need or not.

What is telling to me is they are pandhandling in a shopping center with businesses where they can apply and get a job. The time spent standing for handouts could be better spent looking for a job. However, it can be more lucrative to stand and beg for money than it is to hold a job.

Just yesterday I went to get groceries and there was a new man standing there with one of his kids. They had camping chairs. Both of them looked incredibly clean and the chairs looked brand new.

I think a great way to help the needy is through your church itself. When I was growing up in the church the youth would go door to door and ask for food donations to make food boxes for needy families. When we had enough we gave them out.
 
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SabbathBlessings

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For me, if someone asks and I am able to give (have cash on me etc.) I give it to them regardless of how they look or if they seem to need it or not. I let God handle the rest.

Mat 5:42 Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.

God has been so good to me, even if that person doesn't need it maybe a little kindness will help change their heart. I am going to try to keep literature on me when I give. Not sure if they will read it, but we can only pray.
 
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Maria Billingsley

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His Holy Spirit will guild you.
Be blessed.
 
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AlexB23

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From a Christian perspective, your concern about potential danger when giving to panhandlers is understandable. The Bible indeed encourages generosity towards the needy, but it also emphasizes wisdom and discernment (Proverbs 1:5). Jesus himself warned his disciples to be wise as serpents in their interactions with people (Matthew 10:16).

In this context, giving wisely can mean assessing the situation carefully before offering help. Giving water bottles or other essential items could be a safer and more effective way of helping those genuinely in need while protecting yourself from potential harm. It is also important to remember that God sees the heart (Proverbs 16:2) and will reward your kindness and generosity, even if not everyone you help may use it wisely.

From a legal perspective, giving money or items directly to panhandlers can be risky due to safety concerns as well as potential civil liability issues. If someone gets injured after receiving help from you, they might try to sue you for negligence. To minimize these risks, consider working with established charities and organizations that have processes in place to ensure the funds are used effectively and safely.

In summary, while it is essential to be compassionate towards those in need, prioritizing your safety should not be overlooked. Be discerning when helping others and consider alternative ways of providing assistance, such as donating through reputable organizations or giving practical items like water bottles instead of cash directly.
 
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Joseph G

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Maria Billingsley said:
His Holy Spirit will guild you.
Be blessed.
Click to expand...
Exactly. I figure any gift given in faith is not wasted - the Holy Spirit accomplishes something good through it. If we're conned, so what? God isn't. We are blessed any which way.

God bless
 
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Richard T

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I would rarely give to a panhandler in the USA. Because you simply do know the situation. For instance, I was approached by a woman off the interstate claiming to need money for gas to get home. I forked over a few bucks and when i went to the restroom, she was gambling the money with her boyfriend. (Yes, a few states have gaming in filling stations.) Of course some are needy but yes some use the money for bad habits. Instead give to a Christian mission or legitimate food bank directly. I say legitimate because there are some food banks where some well off folks go for freebies. If you are not sure take a look at the cars. Paul's instructions for widows were strict. I know Jesus said to give to everyone that asks, but the culture in bible times through the mid 1950s was not such that few if any without legitimate need would ever ask. It requires discernment for not only the giving but the safety issues that do arise.
If you think I am heartless, just a few weeks ago I saw a young woman with child sleeping on the walkway over a busy street in SE Asia around 10PM. She was asleep on the ground and had a cup out and the child about two, was clearly malnourished. I dropped in a little change, and it was her coffee probably not someone that was panhandling. I felt terrible that I had to wake her up to say i was sorry and not to drink that. I agree it is great to help out in any community, but please be prudent in your giving.
 
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MForbes

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I'm more than willing to buy them a meal or some food. I have these encounters, usually around convenience stores. I ask them to come in with me to get them some food. If they refuse and say they just need money, I turn them down.
 
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seeking.IAM

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I used to be a member of a large, downtown church situated a few blocks from a homeless shelter. The shelter turned out those who had slept there the night before about the same time as we were gathering for worship. It was not uncommon to be approached as I was going into worship. It never felt right to say "no" as I was going into worship. I was always reminded of that passage from Hebrews, "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares."

I was fortunate to have it to spare so part of dressing for church, and eventually other trips downtown, became ensuring I had a few bills folded in my pocket so I didn't have to risk digging out my wallet if someone asked. I made a few simple rules for myself. (a) I give only once on each outing to the first person that asks, realizing that my resources, too, are limited and I can't help everybody and (b) They have to ask (no cardboard sign holders). My logic is if they have to humble themselves to approach a stranger and ask for money, they need it more than I do. I know there are people trying to work the system, but that is not everybody. I'm willing to part with a couple of bucks every now and then to maybe help someone really in need. Even drug addicts, gamblers, and cigarette smokers need to eat and buy other necessitates. I don't feel responsible for their choices.
 
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David Lamb

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I had to look up the meaning of "panhandler", as that word doesn't tend to be used here in the UK!

I would say that although God is omniscient, we are not, and it is often very difficult for us to tell the fake from the genuine.
 
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JohnC101

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"Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load." Galatians 6: 4-5. While the Bible says to be generous and helpful to the poor, we should see the situation before making a decision.
 
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