Just experience. One time I was riding with a friend of mine and a guy has a sign "Will work for food" at an intersection. My friend told the guy that he had some yard work around his house that needed to be done. He would fix him a nice family type meal AND pay him $25 (which is what he would pay a neighborhood teenager to do the work). We were cussed out!! They don't want to work...they want MONEY!
Correction, "he" didn't want to work, he wanted money. What if the next person you saw was actually willing to do the work?
My point is that we often make generalizations about an entire group of people based on what we experience with a very few of them. For example Pentecostals are known in the food service industry for not tipping and being moody to waiters and waitresses. You might often hear food service staff start bickering about "those stingy Pentecostals" when we go out to eat on Sunday afternoons. Is that fair to us? No. I tip 20% as a rule unless the service is terrible. I know many others who have determined to tip well also. Their generalization is based on "experience" but it is very wrong. Our generalizations regarding "them", those who beg for money, isn't always correct. I would argue that you should handle them on a case by case basis. If you feel led to help an individual begging for money, follow that leading. If they offer to work and you feel led, offer them the work. If that individual refuses, so be it, give them nothing. But if they do, bless them heartily.
Studies on the demographics of poverty and homelessness in each of our cities would upset some of our generalizations. Of course many "that are deserving of our charity" are often too proud to include themselves in these studies, or to be identified with the poor or homeless. So these studies even don't include some of these.
Excellent discussion. I was recently talking about this same subject with my parents last time I visited. I have to admit I'm heartsore watching Churches build beautiful buildings and buy expensive things, rather than using those resources to be Jesus' hands and fulfilling His promises to those in need If we had a mind toward charity and loving those in our community, it would give everyone a ministry and service to do for God...rather than burying their talents thinking there's no work for them to do.
Excellent discussion. I was recently talking about this same subject with my parents last time I visited. I have to admit I'm heartsore watching Churches build beautiful buildings and buy expensive things, rather than using those resources to be Jesus' hands and fulfilling His promises to those in need If we had a mind toward charity and loving those in our community, it would give everyone a ministry and service to do for God...rather than burying their talents thinking there's no work for them to do.
Makes you wonder how much pride is associated with our church growth and larger buildings? Certainly not a blanket indictment, because some of the most known church growers are those passionate to the point that they don't feel they still aren't doing enough.
The program that lifts the poor out of poverty is the Gospel. lol
For example, most who suffer from poverty are there because of terrible decisions and sin. When they are converted to Christ they become new creatures. A Christian becomes a productive, hard working, and inspired citizen.
Well, I don't know if you are serious or not. Let's assume you are. In that case, my response is quite similar to my first reply to this post:
Are you serious?!?!
__________________
Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty
Studies on the demographics of poverty and homelessness in each of our cities would upset some of our generalizations. Of course many "that are deserving of our charity" are often too proud to include themselves in these studies, or to be identified with the poor or homeless. So these studies even don't include some of these.
Jeffery, a study of demographics of those on this board might give a better understanding of the different points of view on what defines real poverty.
For instance, I have always lived in what were considered "rural" areas of the midwest. While there were people living in poverty, these were not the ones who were blatantly poor. Those who really were poor did their best with the little they had, and in some cases no one guessed their poverty. In other cases they were quietly helped with gifts of items that might help them through the difficult times, often without anyone saying they were helping or giving... just "bein' neighborly".
I can honestly say I never saw deep poverty until I went to Brazil. That was over ten years ago. I've seen some poverty in the United States since then, but still my area is fairly sheltered from the economic disaster that has struck others, and I've never seen what I saw in Brazil anywhere but on tv. That does not mean it doesn't exist, but in this area it is less common than in other areas of the country.
In answer to your original question, when a person has a real need, I believe we should help in whatever way we can. However, we do need to make prayerful decisions (some would say judgment calls) on who will be helped and how-if we don't, we are not being the wise stewards that God also called us to be.
__________________
What we make of the Bible will never be as great a thing as what the Bible will - if we let it - make of us.~Rich Mullins
I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense, reason, and intellect has intended us to forgo their use.~Galileo Galilei
Jeffery, a study of demographics of those on this board might give a better understanding of the different points of view on what defines real poverty.
For instance, I have always lived in what were considered "rural" areas of the midwest. While there were people living in poverty, these were not the ones who were blatantly poor. Those who really were poor did their best with the little they had, and in some cases no one guessed their poverty. In other cases they were quietly helped with gifts of items that might help them through the difficult times, often without anyone saying they were helping or giving... just "bein' neighborly".
I can honestly say I never saw deep poverty until I went to Brazil. That was over ten years ago. I've seen some poverty in the United States since then, but still my area is fairly sheltered from the economic disaster that has struck others, and I've never seen what I saw in Brazil anywhere but on tv. That does not mean it doesn't exist, but in this area it is less common than in other areas of the country.
In answer to your original question, when a person has a real need, I believe we should help in whatever way we can. However, we do need to make prayerful decisions (some would say judgment calls) on who will be helped and how-if we don't, we are not being the wise stewards that God also called us to be.
My only issue of the "wise stewards" concept is that so many I know couch behind that as an excuse for lack of action. It asks the question of "return of investment" thus creating a capitalistic mentality of what is supposed to be charity. On a large level, this is important, because we want to be effective. But living day-to-day, volunteering time at shelters, soup kitchens, hunger drives, etc... we would do just fine to have action, and worry about "judgment calls" later.
Not a statement on you, just that particular statement. The people I hear it from are those who are so far removed from the realities of needs, and use "stewardship" as an excuse for their lack of action.
I'm sure not all who Jesus healed followed Him (remember the lepers, only one turned back). Not all he has given grace to will trust and believe Him. And not all we dispense compassion to will show gratitude, be responsible with out charity and maybe never follow Jesus. But let's be light and salt. I think we can afford some mis-judgements at the expense of more people being involved in being Jesus to the world. Easier to correct that issue than lack of action.
Hey guys, if you feel God knocking on your heart about ministering to the poor, please check out this link which describes how to conduct a canned food drive...
Have to tell you what happened just this morning - stopped in local store to buy candy - didn't have what I was looking for so I walked out, glanced to the right and saw a box with a small sign asking for food bank donations. I walked out the door, almost to my car, thinking about that small box not filled!! It was like God said to me, "You should be ashamed for walking right by, and not putting one item in." So I did an about face, purchased three food items for kids, and let the cashier put them in the box. God has done so much for me that something like this is the VERY LEAST I could do.
If we had a mind toward charity and loving those in our community, it would give everyone a ministry and service to do for God...rather than burying their talents thinking there's no work for them to do.
Linear Mode
