Dealing with Homelessness

[Beanieboy]

In Toronto, there is a big homeless problem. On average, walking around downtown, one can see a homeless person asking for change about every block or so. You see them sleeping on heating exhaust grates even on busy streets.

When I first came here, I wasn't sure how to respond. I knew they needed food, and I wondered if any of the money collected would be used for anything that was actually nourishing.

However, I don't know if it is my obligation to worry about how the money is spent. A guide book of Washington, D.C. suggested going to the bank and carrying around a roll of quarters, and giving one to anyone who asks, stating that the person probably needs it, it will only cost you a quarter each time, and you won't have to feel bad walking past them.

What obligation do you think we have to the homeless? Do you offer them money? My friend would always ask them why they wanted it, and buy them food rather than give them money.

Christians, according to the Sheep and Goats story, are obligated to feed the hungry. Muslims have it as something that their religion commands, and recognize it as an obligation to Allah, not a choice.

What do you do? What do you think is our obligation as a society? What is your duty according to your religious beliefs?

 

[Supernaut]

In Toronto, there is a big homeless problem. On average, walking around downtown, one can see a homeless person asking for change about every block or so. You see them sleeping on heating exhaust grates even on busy streets.

When I first came here, I wasn't sure how to respond. I knew they needed food, and I wondered if any of the money collected would be used for anything that was actually nourishing.

However, I don't know if it is my obligation to worry about how the money is spent. A guide book of Washington, D.C. suggested going to the bank and carrying around a roll of quarters, and giving one to anyone who asks, stating that the person probably needs it, it will only cost you a quarter each time, and you won't have to feel bad walking past them.

What obligation do you think we have to the homeless? Do you offer them money? My friend would always ask them why they wanted it, and buy them food rather than give them money.

Christians, according to the Sheep and Goats story, are obligated to feed the hungry. Muslims have it as something that their religion commands, and recognize it as an obligation to Allah, not a choice.

What do you do? What do you think is our obligation as a society? What is your duty according to your religious beliefs?

The last shall be first. Feed them and give them clothing. Donate time, clothing, money, and food as much and as often as possible. Money is only fabric. Money is worthless when not put to good use. I would be happier if Oprah donated $100k to open a homeless shelter rather than spending that money on a new Land Rover.

Much like the Muslims, we are in fact commended to do the same. To feed the homeless and provide shelter to those without.

I reccomend the book of James (Jesus' brother) to any Christian with questions as to whether or not they should participate.

 

[BasinBrat]

I give money when I see homeless people begging - which isn't often in my city. I don't worry about if it's going to be spent on booze or not, after all if I lived on the street, I'd want a drink too.

 

[rambot]

1) Be generous with donations to organizations who support the homeless (United Way, Food Banks). In most big towns there are many options for organizations that help every type of person in need. Consider that.
Keep track of the number of people who ask for money...say 1$ each for a month and donate all that money to a soup kitchen.
2) Better yet, volunteer! Can never have too many of those. And despite what fox news opinion anchors say, it won't make you (or America/Canada) into a communist state.
3) Whenever you feel you have the time, take the guy/gal out for dinner (subway, whatever), eat with them and ask them questions about their life. Listen to how they cope with it and praise them for it. Chances are great they've been through more in the first 15 years of their life than most people ensure in a life time.

If you want to give them a brief connection to another person, 3) is completely invaluable to them.

 

[PreachersWife2004]

at our old church, we had agreements with the local grocery stores. We would hand out gas cards and food cards for the local stores and there was a list of certain things someone could buy. Now, perhaps someone could sell a card after we gave it, that we couldn't control. But at least we had tried to help them.

I remember one time with my husband before we were married, a lady talked to us in the parking lot and she needed $5 to get on the bus to go to her husband who was in the hospital. I just motioned to my hubby to give it to her. After she was gone he said she'd probably go to the liquor store. So...we decided to watch. I was pleasantly surprised to see her get on the bus. Whether or not she used our $5 I don't know, but at least she didn't do what we assumed she would. Living in places like Toronto and Detroit (where I moved from) can jade a person so much that they end seeing a con in everyone they meet and it's quite bad to view the world that way.

I've been to Toronto and it's worse than Detroit, although there are a lot of beggars in Detroit. I daresay that a lot of the streetcorner beggars have a home to go to when their "shift" is done. I know of one beggar who boasted that he makes more panhandling in a week than he did in a month of working in one the auto factories.

But I digress. I believe we should help these people as much as possible, even if we don't quite believe that they're being truthful with us. Even a person who could lie about such things obviously has issues that they need help (and prayer) with so we should do our duty without question and with no strings attached. I know of some churches who will give a person money if they attend a worship service. That's religious blackmail if you ask me.

 

[underpressure]

I've moved to a right pit hole of an area, even the homeless people must turn their noses up to where I live as I haven't seen one since I've been here.

I used to see some every day though, if I was in a good mood I'd give all my loose change away and sometimes stop for a chat, most the time I'd ignore them though I'm ashamed to say.

I don't really get the people who give them money then tell them not to buy alcohol with it, they make it seem like alcohol is a bad thing!

 

[PreachersWife2004]

I've moved to a right pit hole of an area, even the homeless people must turn their noses up to where I live as I haven't seen one since I've been here.

I used to see some every day though, if I was in a good mood I'd give all my loose change away and sometimes stop for a chat, most the time I'd ignore them though I'm ashamed to say.

I don't really get the people who give them money then tell them not to buy alcohol with it, they make it seem like alcohol is a bad thing!

it's not that alcohol is a bad thing...it's that they're asking me for financial assistance to help them live or eat...alcohol isn't a necessity for that. I'd gladly pay for a night in a shelter rather than a bottle of booze. But even if someone told me they were going to buy alcohol with it, it wouldn't stop me from giving them money. But it's also why we do the cards. If they use the cards they can only buy foods like bread and milk, etc. You know, you can't use WiC to buy ciggies or beer, so we kinda look at it from that sort of perspective.

 

[God's Salvation]

I give to anyone who asks of me, even if I know they are going to spend it on alcohol or gamble it. If I'm walking downtown here in Reno, Nevada, where the casinos are, I like to make sure that I am carrying some one and five dollar bills. There is a stipulation though: I share the Gospel of Christ with them. If they do wrong with the money, the Holy Spirit will have something to work with in their consciences. Perhaps the person will feel guilty about it after someone has shown them kindness? I can usually tell what they are going to do with the money. It gives me a great opportunity to talk with them and try to help them.

I give money to some even if they don't ask of me. Yesterday, I saw a homeless man from across a busy street, and I waited for the traffic to subside, crossed, and spoke with him about what he was going to do with his life and about trusting Jesus. I could tell I had a big impact on him, but as I spoke about trusting Christ, he kept looking anxiously down the street from which he had come, as if he was very uncertain. Then I showed him love and gave him money. What is of the utmost importance is that we touch their hearts and give the Holy Spirit more to work with as He moves. The sad thing is that Satan is there immediately to try and crush our efforts, so we must be sharp.

Who's to say who can and can't be won to Christ? Kindness is the key for those homeless people who live such an unkind existence. "As often as you did it to one of the least of My brothers and sisters, you did it to Me." Matthew 25:40

 

[PreachersWife2004]

I guess for me the main issue with alcohol and gambling is that when it's done incorrectly, it is a sin, and I would not wish to aid someone in a sin if I could help it. That's partly why we avoid giving out straight cash. There are other reasons, safety being a top reason as well.

And of course we do share the gospel with them, especially if they come to the parsonage door.

Since we moved to MN, we've had one person come to our door asking for help and we've been working with him over the last three months.

 

[Beanieboy]

at our old church, we had agreements with the local grocery stores. We would hand out gas cards and food cards for the local stores and there was a list of certain things someone could buy. Now, perhaps someone could sell a card after we gave it, that we couldn't control. But at least we had tried to help them.

I remember one time with my husband before we were married, a lady talked to us in the parking lot and she needed $5 to get on the bus to go to her husband who was in the hospital. I just motioned to my hubby to give it to her. After she was gone he said she'd probably go to the liquor store. So...we decided to watch. I was pleasantly surprised to see her get on the bus. Whether or not she used our $5 I don't know, but at least she didn't do what we assumed she would. Living in places like Toronto and Detroit (where I moved from) can jade a person so much that they end seeing a con in everyone they meet and it's quite bad to view the world that way.

I've been to Toronto and it's worse than Detroit, although there are a lot of beggars in Detroit. I daresay that a lot of the streetcorner beggars have a home to go to when their "shift" is done. I know of one beggar who boasted that he makes more panhandling in a week than he did in a month of working in one the auto factories.

But I digress. I believe we should help these people as much as possible, even if we don't quite believe that they're being truthful with us. Even a person who could lie about such things obviously has issues that they need help (and prayer) with so we should do our duty without question and with no strings attached. I know of some churches who will give a person money if they attend a worship service. That's religious blackmail if you ask me.

The food cards are a good idea, but I pass 10 or more people in a day.

The strange thing is, occasionally, I will just give the person a loonie ($1 coin), but when I look at the person, I see Jesus in my mind. I know the Sheep and the Goats story, so it makes sense, but it's more than that, like the time I left after getting morning coffee and a bagel, and gave a guy my change. He looked deeply into my eyes, and said, "Thank you so much!" I said, "it's nothing." He said, "No, really. Thank you. I mean it."

And I knew he did. And I saw the Christ in him, in his eyes, as if he was looking right at me.

I've been considering the role of quarters idea, or possibly, keeping all my loonies, and giving them to anyone who asks.

 

[Beanieboy]

There is a movie a friend recommended called Stigmata. In the movie, a hairdresser nobody finds strange things are happening to her, such as coming to, and seeing a book recently discovered, a Dead Sea Scroll, written by Jesus, that she has written on her wall. The idea was that the book would not be suppressed.

She started having religious experiences. Unfortunately, it gets a little Hollywood in parts, but one of the things I remember was that they would show her reaching into her coat and handing a homeless man change and smiling, and even giving a homeless guy a beer from her six pack. So often we think, "a homeless guy shouldn't be buying beer." True, but if you were homeless, wouldn't you feel like you needed a beer for all the hardship you had to endure daily?

It was that kind of living, of giving without a thought, without asking for something in return, giving without thinking she was doing anything special, of acknowledging the lowly who are so often ignored, that I was quite moved by, and understood why God would choose such a nobody in New York City to be the bearer of his message.

Today, I gave a woman a toonie ($2 coin), and deep down, I knew it was right, knew that she really needed it, and know I really have to pray about what God would have me do daily in these cases.

 

[PreachersWife2004]

I tend to remember what the bible says:

37"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' 40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
41"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.'
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, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'

The food cards are a good idea, but I pass 10 or more people in a day.

The strange thing is, occasionally, I will just give the person a loonie ($1 coin), but when I look at the person, I see Jesus in my mind. I know the Sheep and the Goats story, so it makes sense, but it's more than that, like the time I left after getting morning coffee and a bagel, and gave a guy my change. He looked deeply into my eyes, and said, "Thank you so much!" I said, "it's nothing." He said, "No, really. Thank you. I mean it."

And I knew he did. And I saw the Christ in him, in his eyes, as if he was looking right at me.

I've been considering the role of quarters idea, or possibly, keeping all my loonies, and giving them to anyone who asks.

 

[Autumnleaf]

Giving beggars money is silly because if they were good with money they wouldn't be beggars, unless they are beggars who are taking advantage of the system. ie Begging pays better than working taxable employment. In my town there is a shelter which feeds the homeless several times a day. Oddly enough, they all seem to know where its at. The beggars I've seen around have been far from there and after a bit of chat they usually admit they just want a bottle or a pack of cigs.

 

[brightmorningstar]

The principle Jesus taught was to meet needs. The option is too bring them into our homes and look after them, though sometimes supporting hostels with ones time and money can be better as resources can be pooled.

 

[Autumnleaf]

The principle Jesus taught was to meet needs. The option is too bring them into our homes and look after them, though sometimes supporting hostels with ones time and money can be better as resources can be pooled.

I know a guy who takes in homeless alcoholics. Gives them a meal, shower, washes their clothes, then sends them on their way. He tells them they can come back anytime so long as they are not drunk. He's an odd sort of fellow with a heart of gold.

 

[brightmorningstar]

Doesnt sound odd at all to me, seems just what Jesus taught His disciples to do. Personally I have taken in homeless people for the night before though I wouldnt say they were destitute, and I have supported financially with homeless youth hostels and by spending with them and taking them places.

 

[believenolies]

Giving beggars money is silly because if they were good with money they wouldn't be beggars, unless they are beggars who are taking advantage of the system. ie Begging pays better than working taxable employment. In my town there is a shelter which feeds the homeless several times a day. Oddly enough, they all seem to know where its at. The beggars I've seen around have been far from there and after a bit of chat they usually admit they just want a bottle or a pack of cigs.

Be aware that there are MANY reasons a person may become homeless, or a "beggar". Especially in the current economy. Not every poor or homeless person is in that situation because they are just lazy or bad at money management. They could have been victims of a fire, natural disaster, or have mental issues. They could have been laid off from their jobs and unable to find another.

Take my situation, for example: I had to quit my job that I'd had for 14 years to move to another location and take full-time care of my ill, disabled mother. I had no choice- she needed help, and I believe it was definately the right thing to do anyway.

For three years I cared for her, without pay, until she passed away in August.

Now I'm frantically looking for a job, and coming up empty. I'm not homeless yet, but if something doesn't happen really soon, I won't have any more money to pay rent and utilities. I've applied for every type of help I know of, and always get turned down for one reason or another (except food stamps).

I actually manage money very well. While working, I had saved a large part of my income (usually I'd save $200 out of every paycheck- or $400 a month) to help in hard times. But guess what? Now that I could really use that money, I don't have it. Why? Did I blow it on stupid purchases or something?

No. I had a former dishonest landlady who stole a large chunk of it (she found it in the apartment when I wasn't there once, and I only learned of the theft after she'd died, so never had it recovered). Also a lot was spent on moving expenses, especially to move to a new location. Not cheap at all.

So all this to say...not everyone who has fallen on hard times is a drug addict, alcoholic, lazy, poor manager, or whatever. Sometimes, "life" just happens.

 

[keith99]

Years ago I knew someone from church whose father worked a lot withthe salvation army. In doing that he had learned that almost all the time money goes to booze. The recommendation was to give food, or take them to lunch.

One day after church I was aproached at the jack in hte box drive through. The begger claimed ot be a vet and needed to get the VA for Insulin. He even had the full test and injection stuff. He just wanted enough money for bus fare. When I offered to drive him to the VA instead he wanted nothing to do with me.

Hmm. Think I know what he wanted money for.

Edit:

A few years later I was very active in a bicycle club. They had a ride on Veterans day that happened th go through the VA. There were several likely homeless vets going to the chapel. I presume to pay their respect to lost friends. Funny thing was that there are constantly guys begging saying they were vets. But the group going to the VA and the ones begging (and claiming to be vets) had no members in common as far as I could see.

 

[Mystman]

I think that the wealthy western countries should just provide food and a home to all their citizens. Not necesarily anything luxorious, but enough to keep a person alive without needing to resort to begging.

As far as I know, that's the situation in Holland. We do have homeless people, but all of them are homeless by choice, or they aren't dutch citizens (I think -_-).

So yeah. Sometimes when I'm waiting for the train in Amsterdam, people come up to me and ask for money... the answer is almost always no. Unless I happen to have some change in my pocket and are in a really charitable mood.

(the charitable mood, the change in my pocket, and the homeless person asking for money have all happened in various combinations, but never all at the same time.. so no, I haven't actually given any money to beggars yet in my life.)

 

[Kid Fish]

What I actually find most disturbing in the opening post, is this Washington DC "suggestion" as to what to do for the homeless. Maybe our nation's capital ought to do something to make life better in that sty.

As for dealing with homeless, giving them money makes you feel good for a minute but does NOTHING to help them. They use the money for drugs or alcohol or Twinkies. If you want to help short term, buy them a salad and a sandwich. If you really want to help long term, volunteer some time at a Christian shelter.

Giving people money does nothing but make us feel like we helped, when in reality we only make it easier for the dregs to remain on the street.