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brian
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| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Chicago South Burbs, Illinois USA |
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| First Name: | brian | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | methodist, evangelical, anglican, catholic |
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Posted: Fri Nov 9th, 2007 01:12 am |
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Maybe their is no right answer to this question or it depends on ech circumstance, but somebody asked me and I really did not know what exactly to say.
Regarding giving to a homeless person, I tend to think it is deal if you try to actually meet a need, like buy them something or give something away, rather than give the money. I also think that it is probably best to donate money to institutions that professionally help, or to volunteer at soup kitchens or shelters. but regardless of all that, there still arise situations where you have little time, someone asks you for something, you do not want to ignore them, and you do not entirely trust them either. What is the spiritually right thing to do? Part of me thinks it is up toyour perosnal choice. But sometimes I think it is best to have a policy to never give money but try to meet needs when you can. But I often think that what they do with the money or if they lie to you about why they want it, is up to them, and you are showing them dignity and respect by trusting them and simply loving them, and leaving their use between them and God. But is there a point when it would be wrong to give?
Yet I think we are called to be shrewd, and if we have good reason not to trust someone, or think the gift may harm them or society, how can our giving be an act of love? Does it depend on your instinct and how much you trust each individual? That is what I think now, while thinknig that it is good to have certain principles in mind.
I just think it is hard for any Christian to walk by someone in need and do nothing, for the thought that that could be Jesus they are walking by and that they are failing the principle of Matthew 25. Yet it would be impossible to go downtown and not ignore several people. At some point your view of who your neighbor is or who the Jesus needing the cup of water is has to be limited.
Brian
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David W. Emery
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| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Brownsville, Texas USA |
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| First Name: | David | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Catholic |
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Posted: Fri Nov 9th, 2007 01:30 am |
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There are two schools of thought to this, and you have alluded to them both.
One is to distrust the person begging because so many of them do in fact abuse the charitable gifts offered them, and the giver’s good intent is contravened. In this case, some sort of safeguard would be in order, such as declining to give money directly but inviting the beggar to a meal or contributing to an organization that provides shelter for homeless people.
The other is to recognize that alms, once given, do not belong to the giver. If the recipient abuses the giver’s generosity, that is his sin, not the giver’s, and it will be revealed on the day of judgment.
Catholic moral theology accepts both arguments as valid, and you may choose according to your own preference, convenience and mode of charity.
David
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brian
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| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Chicago South Burbs, Illinois USA |
| Posts: | 799 |
| First Name: | brian | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | methodist, evangelical, anglican, catholic |
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Posted: Fri Nov 9th, 2007 01:37 am |
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So if I read a statistical analyis that uncovers that some percentage of mney given to homeless people indeed is used for some unsavory cause. I have read a few contrasting studies, but all seem to imply that some % of money (and sometimes rather high) is indeed used in ways you would not want it to be. So, even if you have good reason to think (due to this research) that your money may very well be mishandled, the second principle applies that it is not your sin but the person who misuss the gift. since you are not 100% sure what he result will be.
Brian
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David W. Emery
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| First Name: | David | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Catholic |
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Posted: Fri Nov 9th, 2007 02:10 am |
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Ultimately, Brian, your choice has to do with whether you think justice or mercy is the more important consideration in a given situation. It is a question of prudence, not of right or wrong, and prudence can vary according to the circumstance. No matter which path you choose, you are not sinning.
David
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CajunRick
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| Joined: | Fri Sep 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Houma, Louisiana USA |
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| First Name: | Rick (& Kermie) | | Gender: | Male | | Faith History: | Lifetime Catholic, Latin Rite |
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Posted: Fri Nov 9th, 2007 12:06 pm |
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I will not give cash to anyone except a reputable organization. I have been known to buy them a meal or give them a coat or a blanket.
I saw a man on a corner some years ago with a sign that said "will work for food". I pulled over and offered to pay him to mow my lawn. He told me I was crazy. He was pulling in $200 a day at that corner. That's a whole lot more than I make.
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Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
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Cindy
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| Joined: | Fri Nov 17th, 2006 |
| Location: | California USA |
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| First Name: | Cindy | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Catholic convert |
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Posted: Fri Nov 9th, 2007 05:54 pm |
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I don't give cash, either. We buy gift certificate booklets at MacDonald's (other fast-food restaurants may have them as well). There are five one-dollar coupons in each booklet. We keep a few of those in our car for times when we see homeless people. They can use the coupons to get something to eat.
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The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in Truth -- Psalm 145:18
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beachmoss
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| Joined: | Mon Nov 13th, 2006 |
| Location: | Simpsonville, South Carolina USA |
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| First Name: | Beth | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Catholic (raised Baptist) |
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Posted: Fri Nov 9th, 2007 06:47 pm |
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Cindy,
I LOVE that idea!! I'll start doing that!
As much as I'd like to offer to buy food for the homeless, I never do because I'm usually a) alone or b) have 1 to 3 kids in tow, and although I want to teach them charity, I am concerned about my family's safety.
Your idea solves that! I can remain safely in my car, crack a window, and pass out a gift certificate. Genius!!
Beth
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CajunRick
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Posted: Fri Nov 9th, 2007 10:10 pm |
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beachmoss wrote: Genius!!
I agree, although I'd rather give them something a little more nutritious than McDonald's. I usually stop at a buffet-style restaurant and buy a gift certificate, then bring it back to them. I don't carry them in the car because (a) they may expire and (b) I don't know what restaurant will be in the neighborhood at that time.
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Understanding is the reward of faith. Therefore seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. - Augustine
Rick Luquette
Luquette Lane
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Cindy
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| Joined: | Fri Nov 17th, 2006 |
| Location: | California USA |
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| First Name: | Cindy | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Catholic convert |
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Posted: Fri Nov 9th, 2007 11:12 pm |
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beachmoss wrote: Cindy,
I LOVE that idea!! I'll start doing that!
As much as I'd like to offer to buy food for the homeless, I never do because I'm usually a) alone or b) have 1 to 3 kids in tow, and although I want to teach them charity, I am concerned about my family's safety.
Your idea solves that! I can remain safely in my car, crack a window, and pass out a gift certificate. Genius!!
Beth
Hi Beth,
Glad you like the idea! I got the idea from my priest, who carries around candy bars and gives those to the homeless. I thought a hamburger or a chicken sandwich would be more nutritious. 
God bless!
Cindy
____________________
The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in Truth -- Psalm 145:18
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beachmoss
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| Joined: | Mon Nov 13th, 2006 |
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| First Name: | Beth | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Catholic (raised Baptist) |
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Posted: Fri Nov 9th, 2007 11:36 pm |
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Ooh, Cindy, the candy bar idea is good too. Perhaps those nutrition bars? But that idea sure wouldn't work here in the summer! Hundred plus degrees just wouldn't make a car stash practical.
When I used to practically "live" in my car--when I travelled with my job-- I always had food in my car--water bottles, canned spaghetti, crackers, etc. Perhaps I should do that again.
Beth
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