Homeless People

Followers4christ · Jan 18, 2007

The other day a man stated that when he saw homeless people he avoided them and that his wife would go off on them and tell them to get a job and quit making people who work for a living feel bad about not giving them their hard earned money. I see any one who is homeless or less fortunate than myself as an angel in disguise. It is easy to make excuses and say that poor people are lazy. But the fact is many homeless people also have full time jobs. If a person earning minimum wage worked 40 hrs. a week they would earn roughly 12,288 a year.

Here are some facts:

-Less than 6% of all homeless people are that way by choice

-Most homeless persons did not inflict upon themselves the conditions that produced their homelessness. Some are victims of child abuse or violence.

-Many homeless people are among the working poor. Minimum wage jobs do not pay enough for an individual to support a family or pay inner-city rent.

-Most homeless people ARE NOT mentally ill; estimates suggest that about ¼ of the homeless are emotionally disturbed

-Many homeless persons panhandle for food, a bed or shelter and other survival needs.

-Most homeless people are not heavy drug users. Estimates suggest about 1/3 of the homeless are drug users many of which are part of the ¼ that are mentally ill

-Although an encounter w/a homeless person occasionally ends in tragedy, most homeless people are among the least threatening members of society. They are more often the victims of crime than the perpetrators

-Scholars found that homelessness has always existed in the US. However the numbers fluctuate with the economy.

-Families with children are the fastest growing category of homeless persons in the US. The number of such families nearly doubled b/t 1984 and 1989 and continues to do so. Many homeless children are alone. They may be runaways or throwaways whose parents do not want them to return home.

-Some homeless persons have attended college and graduate school and many have completed high school.

-The working poor accounts for about 20% of the U.S. pop. live from just above to just below the poverty line

-And about 3-5% of the U.S. pop. Is in the category (underclass) and the chances of their children moving out of poverty are about 50-50

The facts go on and on. The point is we can't turn our back on people who are struggling. When I give money to a homeless person I am doing it with the best intentions. I don't know how they will spend the money. How many times do you avoid giving because you think you are just enabling alcoholism or drug use? As you can see above many people are just trying to survive.

Luke 21:1-4 1 "And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury. And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites. And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all: For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had."

God doesn't expect us to give everything we have. He just wants us to give what we can. Remember God gives you everything and if he sees you using his gifts appropriately then he will entrust you with more and more. When we show God that he can trust us with responsibility then he keeps giving and giving.

if we have used Gods blessings wisely and find ourselves with an abundance. Why shouldn't we give spare change? Or old clothes? Or a meal? Wouldn't Jesus do that for you? This life is not our own and so often we conform to the ways of the world. And for what? To be accepted? Popular? Why? There are so many reasons and none of them the right reason. We should treat this world as a stepping stone into our final lifetime with God. He put us all here for a purpose. Ask yourself am I serving Gods purpose or am I serving my own. None of us will live forever but I assure you we will all have our day of reckoning. I am just so thankful God gave me time and never gave up on me when so many others had.

Proverbs 14:21 "but he who has mercy on the poor, happy is he"

Proverbs 14:31 He who oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker, but he who honors Him has mercy on the needy"

James 2:5-6"Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court?"

James 2:15-16"Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?"

Matthew 19:21"Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."

We are poor and needy to our father. Yet he never turns his back on us. He would never tell us to leave him alone or berate us. Instead he loves us. He will love us forever. We are his children and he waits in anticipation for our homecoming to him. He waits for you.

God Bless

Sketcher · Jan 18, 2007

Where did you get those figures? Because most of the people that begged money off of me were alcoholics/liars.

Exiled · Jan 18, 2007

Unfortunately, there are working poor in society. Even with jobs, their income falls below the poverty level. I'm in a large city once a week. One day last fall, a woman asked me for spare change but I didn't have any change and was in too much of a hurry to stop. She was dressed in casual clothes and carried a back pack like she could have been a commuter. That has bothered me ever since. In the following weeks, I kept some money in my pocket just for her, but I haven't seen her since.

jsimms615 · Jan 18, 2007

Followers4christ said:
The other day a man stated that when he saw homeless people he avoided them and that his wife would go off on them and tell them to get a job and quit making people who work for a living feel bad about not giving them their hard earned money. I see any one who is homeless or less fortunate than myself as an angel in disguise. It is easy to make excuses and say that poor people are lazy. But the fact is many homeless people also have full time jobs. If a person earning minimum wage worked 40 hrs. a week they would earn roughly 12,288 a year.

Here are some facts:

-Less than 6% of all homeless people are that way by choice

-Most homeless persons did not inflict upon themselves the conditions that produced their homelessness. Some are victims of child abuse or violence.

-Many homeless people are among the working poor. Minimum wage jobs do not pay enough for an individual to support a family or pay inner-city rent.

-Most homeless people ARE NOT mentally ill; estimates suggest that about ¼ of the homeless are emotionally disturbed

-Many homeless persons panhandle for food, a bed or shelter and other survival needs.

-Most homeless people are not heavy drug users. Estimates suggest about 1/3 of the homeless are drug users many of which are part of the ¼ that are mentally ill

-Although an encounter w/a homeless person occasionally ends in tragedy, most homeless people are among the least threatening members of society. They are more often the victims of crime than the perpetrators

-Scholars found that homelessness has always existed in the US. However the numbers fluctuate with the economy.

-Families with children are the fastest growing category of homeless persons in the US. The number of such families nearly doubled b/t 1984 and 1989 and continues to do so. Many homeless children are alone. They may be runaways or throwaways whose parents do not want them to return home.

-Some homeless persons have attended college and graduate school and many have completed high school.

-The working poor accounts for about 20% of the U.S. pop. live from just above to just below the poverty line

-And about 3-5% of the U.S. pop. Is in the category (underclass) and the chances of their children moving out of poverty are about 50-50

The facts go on and on. The point is we can't turn our back on people who are struggling. When I give money to a homeless person I am doing it with the best intentions. I don't know how they will spend the money. How many times do you avoid giving because you think you are just enabling alcoholism or drug use? As you can see above many people are just trying to survive.

Luke 21:1-4 1 "And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury. And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites. And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all: For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had."

God doesn't expect us to give everything we have. He just wants us to give what we can. Remember God gives you everything and if he sees you using his gifts appropriately then he will entrust you with more and more. When we show God that he can trust us with responsibility then he keeps giving and giving.

if we have used Gods blessings wisely and find ourselves with an abundance. Why shouldn't we give spare change? Or old clothes? Or a meal? Wouldn't Jesus do that for you? This life is not our own and so often we conform to the ways of the world. And for what? To be accepted? Popular? Why? There are so many reasons and none of them the right reason. We should treat this world as a stepping stone into our final lifetime with God. He put us all here for a purpose. Ask yourself am I serving Gods purpose or am I serving my own. None of us will live forever but I assure you we will all have our day of reckoning. I am just so thankful God gave me time and never gave up on me when so many others had.

Proverbs 14:21 "but he who has mercy on the poor, happy is he"

Proverbs 14:31 He who oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker, but he who honors Him has mercy on the needy"

James 2:5-6"Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court?"

James 2:15-16"Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?"

Matthew 19:21"Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."

We are poor and needy to our father. Yet he never turns his back on us. He would never tell us to leave him alone or berate us. Instead he loves us. He will love us forever. We are his children and he waits in anticipation for our homecoming to him. He waits for you.

God Bless

I think you have to do for the homeless what you feel led to do as you encounter them. I personally would never give them money. If they want to go in with me to McDonalds and I'll buy them some food then that is okay. You just don't know what they will use the money for.

Monica02 · Jan 18, 2007

We take food and supplies every week to some homeless guys living in a forst preserve. They are drunks - no doubt - but they are always very polite and VERY,VERY appreciative of the stuff we bring. They used to have to go through dumpsters to find food. I do not know why they ended up there but I can't stand the thought of people eating out of the garbage.

jasper123 · Jan 18, 2007

Followers4christ said:
The other day a man stated that when he saw homeless people he avoided them and that his wife would go off on them and tell them to get a job and quit making people who work for a living feel bad about not giving them their hard earned money. I see any one who is homeless or less fortunate than myself as an angel in disguise. It is easy to make excuses and say that poor people are lazy. But the fact is many homeless people also have full time jobs. If a person earning minimum wage worked 40 hrs. a week they would earn roughly 12,288 a year.

Here are some facts:

-Less than 6% of all homeless people are that way by choice

-Most homeless persons did not inflict upon themselves the conditions that produced their homelessness. Some are victims of child abuse or violence.

-Many homeless people are among the working poor. Minimum wage jobs do not pay enough for an individual to support a family or pay inner-city rent.

-Most homeless people ARE NOT mentally ill; estimates suggest that about ¼ of the homeless are emotionally disturbed

-Many homeless persons panhandle for food, a bed or shelter and other survival needs.

-Most homeless people are not heavy drug users. Estimates suggest about 1/3 of the homeless are drug users many of which are part of the ¼ that are mentally ill

-Although an encounter w/a homeless person occasionally ends in tragedy, most homeless people are among the least threatening members of society. They are more often the victims of crime than the perpetrators

-Scholars found that homelessness has always existed in the US. However the numbers fluctuate with the economy.

-Families with children are the fastest growing category of homeless persons in the US. The number of such families nearly doubled b/t 1984 and 1989 and continues to do so. Many homeless children are alone. They may be runaways or throwaways whose parents do not want them to return home.

-Some homeless persons have attended college and graduate school and many have completed high school.

-The working poor accounts for about 20% of the U.S. pop. live from just above to just below the poverty line

-And about 3-5% of the U.S. pop. Is in the category (underclass) and the chances of their children moving out of poverty are about 50-50

The facts go on and on. The point is we can't turn our back on people who are struggling. When I give money to a homeless person I am doing it with the best intentions. I don't know how they will spend the money. How many times do you avoid giving because you think you are just enabling alcoholism or drug use? As you can see above many people are just trying to survive.

Luke 21:1-4 1 "And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury. And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites. And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all: For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had."

God doesn't expect us to give everything we have. He just wants us to give what we can. Remember God gives you everything and if he sees you using his gifts appropriately then he will entrust you with more and more. When we show God that he can trust us with responsibility then he keeps giving and giving.

if we have used Gods blessings wisely and find ourselves with an abundance. Why shouldn't we give spare change? Or old clothes? Or a meal? Wouldn't Jesus do that for you? This life is not our own and so often we conform to the ways of the world. And for what? To be accepted? Popular? Why? There are so many reasons and none of them the right reason. We should treat this world as a stepping stone into our final lifetime with God. He put us all here for a purpose. Ask yourself am I serving Gods purpose or am I serving my own. None of us will live forever but I assure you we will all have our day of reckoning. I am just so thankful God gave me time and never gave up on me when so many others had.

Proverbs 14:21 "but he who has mercy on the poor, happy is he"

Proverbs 14:31 He who oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker, but he who honors Him has mercy on the needy"

James 2:5-6"Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court?"

James 2:15-16"Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?"

Matthew 19:21"Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."

We are poor and needy to our father. Yet he never turns his back on us. He would never tell us to leave him alone or berate us. Instead he loves us. He will love us forever. We are his children and he waits in anticipation for our homecoming to him. He waits for you.

God Bless

Thanks for the statistics. Your alot of help.
Ron

Sketcher · Jan 18, 2007

Monica02 said:
We take food and supplies every week to some homeless guys living in a forst preserve. They are drunks - no doubt - but they are always very polite and VERY,VERY appreciative of the stuff we bring. They used to have to go through dumpsters to find food. I do not know why they ended up there but I can't stand the thought of people eating out of the garbage.

Food and supplies - good. It's just cash I don't trust them with.

CooL_Genesis · Jan 18, 2007

I thank you, Followers4Christ, for the compassion, that is often not found in most other threads, that you have shown here. Jesus said that to do for these little ones was the same as doing it to/for Him. I believe he was refering to those who have little or nothing, regardless of who they are.

When we give (my wife and I), whether it's money, time, things, whatever... we don't look for what's it's actually used for. We look to simply help, to show compassion. If so many of us would get off our high horses and give from the "generosity" and "charity" of our hearts instead of questioning where our giving leads to, we'd be better off. Love thy neighbor, as your Father loves you.

Thank you for posting this and may God bless you daily for your compassion! The Holy Spirit is truly with you!

God Bless You!

In peace and grace,

-Genesis

rosiecotton · Jan 18, 2007

Read The Gutter, by Craig Gross. Very good book and convicting.

thunderlove · Jan 18, 2007

Well...interesting set of responses....

Mind if a former homeless person chimes in?

To begin with, those stats sound right to me!

Yes, most who beg change are drunks. But most homeless are not drunks, just underemployed. Ever hear of shelters? Ever go to the parks at night? Maybe you should visit one sometime, and see for yourself.

Yes, there are lots of undesirables. But inside the community, there is also a great deal of acceptance -- no pride, so no hypocrisy, and no "Keep to yourself, do not come near me, For I am holier than you!" (Isa 65:5)

Regarding not giving them money, because you don't know what they might spend it on, I say this, that I am glad that the Lord has not been so stingy with me, "for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous." (Matt 5:45b)

"Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you." (Matt 5:42)

One guy I knew, a drunk, and a convicted murderer. He killed a guy for violently raping his young sister.

Many are Christians -- often families -- who because of injury or some other misfortune unexpectedly find themselves on the streets. Their churches prayed for them, and turned them away. Yep.

Your old clothes (especially large shirts in this weather -- layering is everything!) -- spare change -- food -- all are greatly appreciated.

In any case, acknowledge them, as human beings. Look them in the eyes, and say hello. They are human beings.

malckiah · Jan 18, 2007

Well, my wife and i have been homless 3 times and encountered several other homless people before, during and after those times. Out of all the homeless people i met....one of them was homeless by choice because he felt it was easier than having a job and ALL of the rest would beg and use the money for drugs and alcohal! While we were homeless we never begged for money or food and God always provided for us! There have been several years that we lived off of minimum wage and still survived and had a place to stay! It is not a good idea to give a homeless person money! However, you shouldnt just ignore them, as The Bible says.....If someone is hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, get them a drink. If they need and want shelter, help them to get one. If you cant provide shelter for them, there are places that will, help them to get in touch with those places! Do all that you can to help them and tell them about Jesus! But dont just hand them money!

newleaf · Jan 18, 2007

I'm reminded of the rich man and Lazarus. THe rich man probably made all kinds of excuses as to why he gave the poor man Lazarus nothing.He probably felt that he was better than him. When he ended up in hell, he still thought of Lazarus as being like a servant to him, by asking that he be the one to bring him water.

JDIBe · Jan 18, 2007

Generally speaking, I think its best not to give money on a regular basis to someone who is chronically homeless. There comes a point sometimes when the best thing you can do for a person is to not help them at all. That may sound harsh, but it is true. If a person is engaging in destructive behavior, enabling that behavior does harm to that individual. If there is no reason for that person to change, they won't.

Homelessness was a big issue back in the 1980's. By 1990, we found out the situation was not just a housing problem. It was more complicated than we thought.

Sometimes food, or even better, a job or teaching them a skill is the best gift you can give a person. $10 is $10. It goes away quickly. But earning your money and learning something that they can use to find another job, well that's invaluable. Now if a person is temporarily down on their luck, money might be the best thing you could do for them.

But ultimately, what you want to do is to help them in the best way possible. That might be money, that might be something else, or in certain rare cases, that might even be nothing at all.

tonysma · Jan 18, 2007

I would like to know where you got your stats...I lived in sacramento california for 37 years...And they are flooded with homeless people...Lots and lots of them are on the streets because of drugs, alachol...they wander around looking for free hand outs..a lot of them are offered jobs, but refuse to work for minimum wage...I have even taken in a homeless person before...she did not want to change nothing about herself...I am a woman and all it was, was helping this person..nothing in return...some people you just can't help...they live in fields in california and go mooching all day..they know all the spots that give them charity... there may be some of them that truly want work...and a better way, but i am not going to say there are a lot of them that do...seen it to many times...

Followers4christ · Jan 19, 2007

twistedsketch said:
Where did you get those figures? Because most of the people that begged money off of me were alcoholics/liars.

I got these figures from The National Coalition for the Homeless.Here are the links to where I got my figures.God Bless

http://www.nationalhomeless.org/publications/facts.html

http://aplace2callhome.tripod.com/homeless/id5.html

http://www.christiantribes.org/homeless.htm

fuzzymel · Jan 19, 2007

I remember in Vegas a few years ago I saw one guy begging who looked very well dressed, clean shaven etc.

That evening I saw a dirty looking guy going through the bins at McDonalds looking for something to eat. It really broke my heart to see. I was only young and it opened my eyes to what true poverty is. A lot of the time it is not the ones who are begging who are the worst off.

heron · Jan 19, 2007

If you're passing homeless people regularly, there are things you can bring them besides cash. Each day, stick something in your pocket -- gloves, hats, unopened chapstick, shampoo (offensive?), crackers...
or buy an extra cup of coffee, ready to hand out.

seekthetruth909 · Jan 19, 2007

Followers4christ said:
The other day a man stated that when he saw homeless people he avoided them and that his wife would go off on them and tell them to get a job and quit making people who work for a living feel bad about not giving them their hard earned money. I see any one who is homeless or less fortunate than myself as an angel in disguise. It is easy to make excuses and say that poor people are lazy. But the fact is many homeless people also have full time jobs. If a person earning minimum wage worked 40 hrs. a week they would earn roughly 12,288 a year.

Here are some facts:

-Less than 6% of all homeless people are that way by choice

-Most homeless persons did not inflict upon themselves the conditions that produced their homelessness. Some are victims of child abuse or violence.

-Many homeless people are among the working poor. Minimum wage jobs do not pay enough for an individual to support a family or pay inner-city rent.

-Most homeless people ARE NOT mentally ill; estimates suggest that about ¼ of the homeless are emotionally disturbed

-Many homeless persons panhandle for food, a bed or shelter and other survival needs.

-Most homeless people are not heavy drug users. Estimates suggest about 1/3 of the homeless are drug users many of which are part of the ¼ that are mentally ill

-Although an encounter w/a homeless person occasionally ends in tragedy, most homeless people are among the least threatening members of society. They are more often the victims of crime than the perpetrators

-Scholars found that homelessness has always existed in the US. However the numbers fluctuate with the economy.

-Families with children are the fastest growing category of homeless persons in the US. The number of such families nearly doubled b/t 1984 and 1989 and continues to do so. Many homeless children are alone. They may be runaways or throwaways whose parents do not want them to return home.

-Some homeless persons have attended college and graduate school and many have completed high school.

-The working poor accounts for about 20% of the U.S. pop. live from just above to just below the poverty line

-And about 3-5% of the U.S. pop. Is in the category (underclass) and the chances of their children moving out of poverty are about 50-50

The facts go on and on. The point is we can't turn our back on people who are struggling. When I give money to a homeless person I am doing it with the best intentions. I don't know how they will spend the money. How many times do you avoid giving because you think you are just enabling alcoholism or drug use? As you can see above many people are just trying to survive.

Luke 21:1-4 1 "And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury. And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites. And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all: For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had."

God doesn't expect us to give everything we have. He just wants us to give what we can. Remember God gives you everything and if he sees you using his gifts appropriately then he will entrust you with more and more. When we show God that he can trust us with responsibility then he keeps giving and giving.

if we have used Gods blessings wisely and find ourselves with an abundance. Why shouldn't we give spare change? Or old clothes? Or a meal? Wouldn't Jesus do that for you? This life is not our own and so often we conform to the ways of the world. And for what? To be accepted? Popular? Why? There are so many reasons and none of them the right reason. We should treat this world as a stepping stone into our final lifetime with God. He put us all here for a purpose. Ask yourself am I serving Gods purpose or am I serving my own. None of us will live forever but I assure you we will all have our day of reckoning. I am just so thankful God gave me time and never gave up on me when so many others had.

Proverbs 14:21 "but he who has mercy on the poor, happy is he"

Proverbs 14:31 He who oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker, but he who honors Him has mercy on the needy"

James 2:5-6"Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court?"

James 2:15-16"Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?"

Matthew 19:21"Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."

We are poor and needy to our father. Yet he never turns his back on us. He would never tell us to leave him alone or berate us. Instead he loves us. He will love us forever. We are his children and he waits in anticipation for our homecoming to him. He waits for you.

God Bless

Thanks for the stats. My wife recently did an essay for school on the homeless.She did a lot of research and your stats are right on. The problem is many people in our society are born with mental problems or low IQ's and we expect them to turn things around like the homeless character in the new Will Smith movie, The Pursuit of Happiness". This is seldom the case.
I agree many Christians have ignored the poor and homeless and don't follow the teachings of Jesus.
Here is an interesting recent quote from pastor Rick Warren:

Around this time, Warren says he was driven to reexamine Scripture with "new eyes." What he found humbled him. "I found those 2,000 verses on the poor. How did I miss that? I went to Bible College, two seminaries, and I got a doctorate. How did I miss God's compassion for the poor? I was not seeing all the purposes of God.
"The church is the body of Christ. The hands and feet have been amputated and we're just a big mouth, known more for what we're against." Warren found himself praying, "God, would you use me to reattach the hands and the feet to the body of Christ, so that the whole church cares about the whole gospel in a whole new waythrough the local church?"
Locally, Rick Warrens Saddleback tested the compassion of their members by asking 2,600 small groups ("40 Days of Community") to provide three meals a day for 40 days to the 40,000 homeless of Orange County in 2004.
"It took 2 million pounds of food and 9,200 volunteers," Warren says. "For most of those members, it was their first experience with a poor person. Touching, helping, smelling. Their lives are changed.

tturt · Jan 20, 2007

Answering the phone at our church for a while, I've learned that many people expect the church to pay hotel, utilities, mortgages, car gas, food (one lady said the church should have a freezer filled with meat so people could get what they needed; otherwise, we were being dishonest because we ate meat so everyone should eat meat), etc. We also get people who come by the church wanting all sorts of help and there are some who truly need assistance. On an individual basis we pray and ask the Lord to tell us what to do.

Additionally, our church accepts household and clothing donations. Then everything is sorted, organized, and distributed free to anyone on a weekly basis.

A soup kitchen and a homeless shelter is needed in our area.

seekthetruth909 · Jan 20, 2007

tturt said:
Answering the phone at our church for a while, I've learned that many people expect the church to pay hotel, utilities, mortgages, car gas, food (one lady said the church should have a freezer filled with meat so people could get what they needed; otherwise, we were being dishonest because we ate meat so everyone should eat meat), etc. We also get people who come by the church wanting all sorts of help and there are some who truly need assistance. On an individual basis we pray and ask the Lord to tell us what to do.

Additionally, our church accepts household and clothing donations. Then everything is sorted, organized, and distributed free to anyone on a weekly basis.

A soup kitchen and a homeless shelter is needed in our area.

This is always a problem. People who are not really poor pretending to be poor in order to take advantage of a church.

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