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Should I give or not? This is the major question that anyone desiring to be charitable has to answer. Sometimes, it is difficult to know if we should give or not.
Many people in Kansas City will claim to be homeless in order to obtain 'free' money. The problem is they just don't fit the part, even though they almost always have a good story.
A person isn't homeless if he has good shoes and a fresh haircut. Someone can't be out on the street for months and be overweight. It just isn't something that is possible. If you are that well fed, you can't possibly be homeless. I'm sure someone will disagree with me. Perhaps there is a soup kitchen open or something of that nature? But I think, basically speaking, if you are so well fed, you really aren't totally destitute.
I've heard and seen some crazy stories in an attempt to get some money out of my pocket. They almost always seem believable until you dig a little deeper.
Others don't even try, "I ran out of gas and need a few dollars to make it home" or "Can I have some change for the bus". The problem is that they are in the same spot every weekend telling the same story.
There are those who make a very good tax free living from panhandling. A local paper just ran a story about a man who said he makes over $80,000 tax free per year from begging. I have seen him around many times. I know who they were referring to.
I think I did run into a truly homeless person once. He had long, very dirty hair and he had shoes that were old, blackened and full of holes. He was happy to receive a couple of cookies. The fake homeless only want money and they might even turn their noses up when you offer them food.
My friend took a 'homeless' man into a restaurant to buy him some food. He didn't even eat. Instead he read the paper and asked for a box when it was time to leave. Not thirty minutes before that he had asked us for some money so he could get something to eat.
Dig a little deeper and you'll find that a lot of 'homeless' stories are fabrications. True, there may be some that choose this lifestyle, but then they aren't really looking to help themselves. But, they will be glad for you to help them. Do you help or not? You have to decide. There is no easy way to make hard choices.
David, I like that you did not tell others whether they should give or not. As you've pointed out, each situation can be different. I try to live by my understanding of the Bible. When we give tithes and offering to the church, what happens after it's released freely is not something I fret over. As far as the homeless are concernced, I rarely have cash on me but when I do and asked, I typically give. I admit, however, it's not something I encounter very often, either. And as you've pointed out, they may not be homeless but in need. Hey, I'm in need, too! *grinning* But I'd rather work for what I need than beg for it. My needs are supplied, thank the Lord. (I will beg for a cause!)
Hey, thanks for being a fan. I didn't know! I missed that email. I'm honored!
Thanks for commenting. It is a deeply individual thing and I have given many times even though I knew the recepient didn't truly 'need' but rather 'wanted'. I just had an experience where I let a 'homeless' person sleep on my futon. She had an incredible story but after 4 days I realized that the story couldn't be as incredible as it sounded.
After asking some probing questions, it was obvious that she had 'an answer for everything'. I never said that she couldn't come back but I think she sensed that I didn't fully believe her and she did not return after the 4th night.
I think she was looking for free room and board and truly was not willing to work. Because she was perfectly capable of working with a keen intellect and no problems that would truly keep her from being employed.
In this case, I wonder if it is actually hurtful to help her?
Again, no solid answers, just questions. Any thoughts?
Thanks for joining the fan club! Not all of my articles will be so interesting as I like to write about gum disease a lot - a subject that many don't want to read about. :) Keep on writing, it's great.
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