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Is it wrong to ignore a beggar?

namakele

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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.[/QUOTE]

(I was not specific enough then in my post) When I said "when the root of all problems is taken care of, everything else is taken care of", I was speaking of Turning the heart of the children to the Father... & the heart of the fathers to the children... of a time when everyone bows down to YHWH.
 
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namakele

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...but of course what it would take to solve the problems with our (corrupt) governments & apparent system of things would automatically mean that we're in a place (heart set, mind set,point in time) where if anyone is "home"less it's because they just prefer the Great Outdoors...

...when the root of (all) problems is taken care of everything else is taken care of.

@namakele
...

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.

Is not the root of all mankind's problems in the heart? ...when I was speaking of what it would take to solve the problems at the root, I was thinking of the turning of the heart of the children to the Father...
 
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Laureate

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Is not the root of all mankind's problems in the heart? ...when I was speaking of what it would take to solve the problems at the root, I was thinking of the turning of the heart of the children to the Father...

Yes, yet when I read what you posted, it did not flow like that, you spoke of the corporations, then led in to the root of the problem, without specifying what that was, leaving one to wonder if you actually knew, as you assumed we were following your drift.
 
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namakele

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Yes, yet when I read what you posted, it did not flow like that, you spoke of the corporations, then led in to the root of the problem, without specifying what that was, leaving one to wonder if you actually knew, as you assumed we were following your drift.

True that... & my rantings left me feeling "funny" where was my mention of the Most High (except for vaguely & not even in the same post). & so I am still glad you made the following point(s) in your post ...
@namakele

...[to] point a finger at sinners as if they were the problem, instead of their propensity to be a sinner;

This is the same as [to] 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...
& I have to include "with mercy.".

U said "As Christians, and Messianics we represent a Spiritual Kingdom of Saints, not a Carnal one"
 
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AphroditeGoneAwry

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They are often not homeless, but begging for income because they cannot or do not want to work. My friend said it is called, "Sailing a sign," and her son and his wife do it sometimes when they need money.

They are not asking you directly, so the verse by Jesus about asking for your tunic does not really apply. There is an intimacy and purposefulness in action when someone approaches someone and directly asks for something specific. That is pretty rare, and I occasionally have that happen to me in the form of a friend texting me asking me for a ride.

As to not having money to give to beggars who might directly ask you:

"One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. 2Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. 3When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. 4Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” 5So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.

6Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” 7Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. 8He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. 9When all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him." ~Acts 3:1-10


We understand as Christians that what people need most is not money, but the Holy Spirit in the form of Jesus Christ.

~selah
 
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Catherineanne

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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.

How underwhelming.
 
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Jeremy J

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Jesus said that the poor will always be among us. It is about sacrifice. What is even more valuable than money though is God's word. Share it with people. Be a light to them. Pray with them. We are called to plant and water seeds. If the intentions of the person begging are impure, let him see by your example.
 
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leftrightleftrightleft

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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.

Jesus asked you to give your tunic. Not your money.

I do not give homeless people money. I have given homeless people food or other tangible items.

If someone needs a tunic, then offer it and they will take it. If someone says they need money to buy a tunic and you offer them a tunic and they refuse...then something fishy is going on.
 
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Soma Seer

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...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 true that some people who beg--or who collect money for some type of street entertainment--are not homeless. But there's another possibility to keep in mind: some beggars--truly homeless or otherwise--have robbed kindhearted people once they got out their wallet. So from a safety perspective, I think that you need to be really cautious and aware. And saying as much makes me sad, as I truly believe that we should give to others in need. But the risk of putting oneself in harm's way makes me pause. *sigh*
 
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MehGuy

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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.

Ignoring beggars is not even just ignoring people in close proximity to you. Every waking second of your day you can also donate to reputable charities for beggars far, far away.

I guess you could argue many of them are not actually "beggars", but I do not doubt many of them want change as well, so I really see no difference.
 
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Shempster

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Our city streets are filled with scammers. Ask any law enforcement officer. They will tell you 98% of the people use the money they get to feed their addictions. Its not always drugs, either.
I think its best to carry prepaid food cards if you really want to try and help them. No money though.
 
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jenniTexan

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This is a hard issue for me. I grew up being raised by a single divorced mom and we were not what you might call, "living comfortably". We lived in the same small apartment until she remarried, but there were times where we almost got put on the streets due to not having the money for rent (thankfully, our apartment owner tried to be accommodating).

With that in mind, I can only imagine how miserable actual homeless people are. For me personally, I'd rather risk the idea that I might have given money to someone who didn't need it, then having refused money to someone who really did need it.

I understand that with this issue there are varying opinions, so do not take this as a judgment.
 
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sunsurfkdt

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You don't have to give them money, you can give some kind words. That's very sweet. It's important for them to know people are caring. Money is good but spending time with someone is sometimes better. :) you're words may uplift them and give them confidence in themselves again. You never know. Don't worry. Whatever you have, whether it be your time or money...give. If u feel inclined. Not out of compulsion. :)
 
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sunsurfkdt

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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.
When is ever right to turn a cold shoulder to someone. When is right to love and give of yourself? Always. It's like the Good Samaritan...every one ignored him. But the Samaritan took him to an inn. He was hurt. That's a bit different as I'm sure you would not ignore someone injured on a road, but u get my point I'm sure. :) these ppl on streets, yes maybe they drink and do drugs..or maybe not? We don't know. Even so, we can do what we can to be of help to the hurting. A woman approaching a homeless man...that's a bit different...women have to be a little bit more careful, bc they are very sweet and kind caring, not.. easily manipulated...but I don't know..men are stronger. But the woman could if maybe she were in her vehicle or had a man nearby or was out in public.
 
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Upper Cut

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I feel for people on the street and the down trodden of society. If I have any money on me (which is rare) I will sometimes give them something. I would prefer to give them food or some other aid in kind instead, which I have done.
But to be honest I have not been as good about this as I should be.
 
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