I almost hate leaving the office some nights. But it’s not because of work… it’s what I encounter when I leave our office. Last night, while I was making my to our parking lot, a (homeless?) man approached me. He said he was really hungry, and needed some money to eat. Two things ran through my mind at this moment, and the first was “Yeah, Right.” (He was dressed fairly well for someone without money.) The second was, “I don’t have any money and I’m wearing my iPod in plain sight… is this guy going to try to attack me?” After a brief pause, I told him I didn’t have any money (which is true… I never carry cash on me) and walked away. Thankfully, nothing happened.
If I were in the same position, would I be humble enough to ask for help?
I can’t help but think of how uncomfortable the whole exchange was, though. For me, there was discomfort in the fact that I immediately started doubting whether this guy was genuinely in need, and that my thoughts nearly immediately turned to predicting my own bodily harm if I didn’t give him anything. Fortunately, the latter didn’t happen. For him, I could imagine that if he truly was in need how uncomfortable it must have been for him to ask for help. If I were in the same position, would I be humble enough to ask for help?
Mark 5:38-42: 38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41 And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42 Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you. (ESV)
From the passages above the Bible tells us: “Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.” I keep trying to tell myself that… But it’s difficult given how the world is. You never know if someone is truly in need of help. You never know if the money you give someone will be used for food, or will it be squandered on drugs, alcohol… You just never know. I suppose that’s the point though: it’s not for me/us to understand. Hopefully, I’ll be able to handle the situation differently if I’m approached again.
What are your thoughts on “panhandling”? Do you give to strangers that ask for money?
Man, Chris, just know that you are NOT alone. I go through the same thing. I usually just pray that the Spirit leads me to do what He would have me to do.
One day, I was walking out of a Christian book store when I was approached by an obviously homeless man. He said he was hungry. I told him that I was about to head down to BK (just a block away) and that if he wanted to ride his bike down there, I would buy him dinner. He jumped at the idea. So I met him down there and bought him some food and left.
I kept thinking I should have sat down with him and eaten with him and talked with him. But no, I simply paid for and handed him his food.
I think there’s always room for “better” in how we deal with situations like this — but the Father looks at our heart before He looks at our actions. Start there (in your heart) and maybe next time, you’ll be able to know how you might glorify God in your reaction to someone’s begging.
But outside of God, I’m not sure anyone has “the” answer.
Man, Chris, just know that you are NOT alone. I go through the same thing. I usually just pray that the Spirit leads me to do what He would have me to do.
One day, I was walking out of a Christian book store when I was approached by an obviously homeless man. He said he was hungry. I told him that I was about to head down to BK (just a block away) and that if he wanted to ride his bike down there, I would buy him dinner. He jumped at the idea. So I met him down there and bought him some food and left.
I kept thinking I should have sat down with him and eaten with him and talked with him. But no, I simply paid for and handed him his food.
I think there’s always room for “better” in how we deal with situations like this — but the Father looks at our heart before He looks at our actions. Start there (in your heart) and maybe next time, you’ll be able to know how you might glorify God in your reaction to someone’s begging.
But outside of God, I’m not sure anyone has “the” answer.
thanks for sharing that. You did more than I would have. I need to get out of my comfort zone methinks.
thanks for sharing that. You did more than I would have. I need to get out of my comfort zone methinks.
I really struggle with this. For a few months I worked in a fairly rough area and was dealing with panhandlers almost every-time I had to get gas (2 / 3 times a week).
Part of me feels insensitve / uncaring, because at the end of the day I just want to get home, but of course there is a part that wants to try to help, but with wisdom so that I’m not just being taken fr a fool.
I don’t think there are any easy answers for this however.
Josh, I still struggle with this issue, and don’t know if I’ll ever truly get over it. It’s good, in a way, to know that I am not alone in my discomfort.
I really struggle with this. For a few months I worked in a fairly rough area and was dealing with panhandlers almost every-time I had to get gas (2 / 3 times a week).
Part of me feels insensitve / uncaring, because at the end of the day I just want to get home, but of course there is a part that wants to try to help, but with wisdom so that I’m not just being taken fr a fool.
I don’t think there are any easy answers for this however.
Josh, I still struggle with this issue, and don’t know if I’ll ever truly get over it. It’s good, in a way, to know that I am not alone in my discomfort.