Is it wrong to ignore a beggar?

[Laureate]

The real question is if you were a begger should you want to be ignored?
#treat others as you would have them treat you.

If I thought I was competent enough to treat my self the way I would have our Sovereign Author treat me then I would be comfortable with this concept;

Therefore I respond unto others in a manner which I believe Elohym would have me respond at that moment, being mindful of His word, and following the guidance of His present Spirit, this is how I would have others respond to me.

If we who are incompetent, are asked to do unto others, as we would have (incompetent) others to do unto us, what would you suggest that we do?

 

[A greater Hope]

If I thought I was competent enough to treat my self the way I would have our Sovereign Author treat me then I would be comfortable with this concept;

Therefore I respond unto others in a manner which I believe Elohym would have me respond at that moment, being mindful of His word, and following the guidance of His present Spirit, this is how I would have others respond to me.

If we who are incompetent, are asked to do unto others, as we would have (incompetent) others to do unto us, what would you suggest that we do?

Well sir it was jus a direct quote from the scriptures.nevertheless Christ spoke in a few parables about being merciful toward the brethren for those that has this knowledge they must act wisely for those who refuse thier conscience still convicts them so there is no escaping doing that which is good to another. Even Christ talked about one being evil and doing good to another, therefore it would take a hard rebellious heart to ignore well doing toward another but after all we have free will/choices right.

 

[Laureate]

I meant not to challenge you or the verse you were quoting, just trying to remind Us viewers that, without Elohym we do not evenknow what Good, or Mercy is;

One poster thought it to be merciful to throw the beggars into (our heartless) institutions that feign benevolence, which is a crime comprable to calling our prison systems, 'Correction or Rehabilitation facilities, when no one there is corrected, nor rehabilitated, but come out worse than they went in.

 

[Laureate]

Those rare few who are corrected, or rehabilitated are, and do so inspite of those facilities.

 

[A greater Hope]

@laureate,
Okay brother your right some don't have the true wisdom but I speak also of those who do.mercy and goodness comes from God so if we seek him and his righteousness through faith in Christ we won't Fail to produce good fruits.

 

[Arcadius]

It is neighter wrong or right to ignore them. Also it is not always easy to see if a person asking for money really is homeless/despairing.

 

[Catherineanne]

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.

When I am going into an area where there are a lot of beggars I decide in advance how much I can afford to give to them. I put this in my pocket, to save having to get my purse out. I never give less than the price of a cup of coffee. I don't give it to all of them; I don't give it to obvious drunks (because my h died of alcoholism, and I can't do anything to further the death of any other alcoholic), and I don't give it to anyone saying they want the fare to return anywhere at all. That is an obvious scam. But I do give to those who look genuinely desperate. Last week I did this; I gave £5 to a young man who was just sitting looking at the ground. When he saw what I had given he kept saying, 'Are you sure? Are you sure?' I said, yes I am sure. He stood up and said he would be able to get something to eat. We talked and I asked his name. I said, 'You are having a hard time at the moment.' and he said, yes, he was terribly lonely. We chatted for a short time and then I gave him some more money. I have thought about him ever since, particularly at night and during the storms we have had.

I am a good judge of character, but even if I were the worst judge ever, a young man sitting at the side of the road deserves some compassion from someone.

So yes, we are to give to those who need it, but we do not have to give away all that we have to everyone who asks. Use your intuition, pray, decide what you can afford to give and what kind of people you want to help, and give cheerfully. And if you are still unsure, donate to a homeless charity instead.

 

[Catherineanne]

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.

I have done this as well. I was in London and bought myself a sandwich, chocolate and a drink, and then went to find somewhere to sit to eat it. On the way to find a bench I gave it all away; no money, just my lunch.

 

[Catherineanne]

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.

That is a good thought.

 

[Catherineanne]

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.

I am underwhelmed by your compassion.

It is not the beggars who have a problem.

 

[Laureate]

@laureate,
Okay brother your right some don't have the true wisdom but I speak also of those who do.mercy and goodness comes from God so if we seek him and his righteousness through faith in Christ we won't Fail to produce good fruits.

Once one has committed themself to always do good, it is then that heaven focuses on our interpretation, and awareness of it, fo r only the Sovereign Author is Good, and those who do good are nothing more, (or less) than vessels through whom He performs;

Every now, and then I run across a fellow good doer, and find my self explaining to them, that, sometimes it is as if one needs to ask permission to do good;

For our Sovereign Author has a complete monopoly in that department, and nobody gets in on the action without His approval, for truly, only that One knows what is best at any given moment, and on that we Trust;

What can be a real challenge for many of us is receiving, and accepting the Grace, even when it does not appear friendly, cozzy, or politically correct, as did David.

 

[Laureate]

Amen...& it's important to remember ...especially when it is so easy to feel disturbed when we feel like or have reason to believe someone is abusing...love (kindness, compassion,...)

Yes it can be difficult indeed, yet the proverb, 'no pain no gain' applies here, for it is by our endurance of such things that bring us closer to our Father who endures all things;

The more suffering one is able to endure the more the reward, yet each person is dealt with according to their relative sensitivities;

And what is that coveted reward? Knowing that you have pleased your Heavenly Father, and it is Him who gives you this assurance personally, so that no man can take it away.

Yes, tokens of gratitude, and divine gifts usually accompany the fall out of divine grace, yet nothing is as precious as knowing that you have pleased Him.

 

[Laureate]

@namakele

As Christians, and Messianics we represent a Spiritual Kingdom of Saints, not a Carnal one, you point a finger at sinners as if they were the problem, instead of their propensity to be a sinner;

This is the same as those who would see the beggars as the problem, instead of seeing the situation as an opportunity to over come an obsticle with Faith, and secure Victory with Love.

Divine intervention has always been the solution for corruption beyond the jurisdiction of a Saint, yet when He destroys them, what? Will you cheer Him on as He destroys His own children? We do good to know Him.

 

[jimmyjimmy]

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 not only not wrong to give a beggar money, in most cases it's wrong to give a beggar money. Most beggars in the UK & US are scammers. Just passing by them on the street, there is no way for you to tell if someone is a drug attic, drunk or conman, so handing them cash will actually hurt them, which is not loving, and above all else, we are to love or neighbor as ourself.

 

[A greater Hope]

It's not only not wrong to give a beggar money, in most cases it's wrong to give a beggar money. Most beggars in the UK & US are scammers. Just passing by them on the street, there is no way for you to tell if someone is a drug attic, drunk or conman, so handing them cash will actually hurt them, which is not loving, and above all else, we are to love or neighbor as ourself.

I reed your post and didn't find it hard to give this reply,Yes there are scammers out there yes even drug addicts but what is that to me!!!! All are sinners and there are none that do good no not one but
if he or she comes to me and says can I have a some money for food out of a clear conscience I give the money out of love for his or her lack,so then if the person does evil with the money why Is my deed or conscience judged or condemned if I made a rational decisions for the persons good?!.Well I am not judge on that regard but rather the person if they went against what they asked of you according to the funds given in their aid,that should be on there conscience not yours therefore your free from your good being evil spoken of before God and men through a pure heart.

 

[A greater Hope]

And another thing it's also good to share and encourage the word of hope with such ppl you may know to be beggars scammers addicts etc. That may beg for money wether it be for food clothes bills or drugs etc.At the end of the day look at it from this view we are undeserving sinners given the precious gift of God called "grace" through Jesus and God knowing the vile creatures we are he still gave such a great free gift.It goes to show that Love truly covers a multitude of sin.

 

[jimmyjimmy]

I reed your post and didn't find it hard to give this reply,Yes there are scammers out there yes even drug addicts but what is that to me!!!! All are sinners and there are none that do good no not one but
if he or she comes to me and says can I have a some money for food out of a clear conscience I give the money out of love for his or her lack,so then if the person does evil with the money why Is my deed or conscience judged or condemned if I made a rational decisions for the persons good?!.Well I am not judge on that regard but rather the person if they went against what they asked of you according to the funds given in their aid,that should be on there conscience not yours therefore your free from your good being evil spoken of before God and men through a pure heart.

Yes, we are all sinners, but it is not loving to help people to commit sin. Does Jesus want you to buy heroine for someone simply because they ask you to? Of course they say it's for for food. . . There are a million ways for people in the US to get food for free without begging. Most panhandlers are addicts. Check the numbers yourself.

Your motives may or may not be pure whether you give or don't. You may give because you are a coward, or as some sort of penance. You may also not give out of love or out of greed.

Claiming that if you give to anyone who asks and are free from responsibility is simply not true. God gave you a brain, and He expects you to use it. You can't wash your hands of the effects of your actions by your statements. You are likely enabling a drunk to avoid dealing with his addiction, and putting one more nail in his coffin.

 

[look4hope]

Is never an easy thing I guess. One of my answers would be give money and hope the person is able to help themself with some food etc, instead of the other.

 

[A greater Hope]

Yes, we are all sinners, but it is not loving to help people to commit sin. Does Jesus want you to buy heroine for someone simply because they ask you to? Of course they say it's for for food. . . There are a million ways for people in the US to get food for free without begging. Most panhandlers are addicts. Check the numbers yourself.

Your motives may or may not be pure whether you give or don't. You may give because you are a coward, or as some sort of penance. You may also not give out of love or out of greed.

Claiming that if you give to anyone who asks and are free from responsibility is simply not true. God gave you a brain, and He expects you to use it. You can't wash your hands of the effects of your actions by your statements. You are likely enabling a drunk to avoid dealing with his addiction, and putting one more nail in his coffin.

Did you read my second post? Because if u did you would see that I said we ought to encourage such ppl with the word of Hope ,and of course im not supporting ones bad habit it's not my intent from the heart. If love leads you to give then give if love leads you to not give then don't give I'm not against that but show me a person you can trust that may beg money from you that you can swear for that he or she will always do good with that money you gave them.I never claim giving money to someone who asked freely that there would be no responsibility, I was clear that giving with a pure heart out of love for the lack of the persons need to aid them there is no wrong in it. We may try to be cautious all we want but there are ppl out there that can use there brains just as much to beguile you but before God they are judged for there evil not you because you done it from a pure heart.

 

[look4hope]

@A greater Hope
Hope is what holds many together, I guess.