I thought that was interesting, too. Several people did reach out to him. Good for them.
I’ve been in both places. I’ve tried to help a person here or there that was down on their luck. But I’ll also admit to turning away as well. I’ve gotten somewhat more cynical than I used to be. Like... the folks you always see at freeway offramps and busy cross-streets... with the little sign that has their focus-group-tested buzzwords du jour on it. “Homeless Vet...”, “Unemployed mom, 4 kids”... then you come to find out that some of these folks (at the best intersections) are clearing over $50K a year, in cash, untaxed.
I hate to get cynical, but I also hate being taken advantage of.
Amen
We don't know how many were running to class, or something else.
I’ve tried to help a person here or there that was down on their luck. But I’ll also admit to turning away as well.
Me too. It gets tough with the professional panhandlers. Also, most of the homeless have addiction problems, or mental problems so there is some concern with that as well.
>> I hate to get cynical, but I also hate being taken advantage of.<<
God reward us for what was in our heart. Once that money, or whatever we give, leaves our hands the responsibility for what the taker does with it is theirs. If we give because they may really need it the Lord looks on that. If we don’t give, we are the ones who the Lord Judges. If the taker is a scam, they are the ones who are judged.
I know the feeling. That has been one of my biggest challenges. There are some people in our area who prey on rural churches. They show up right at worship time with a car-load of kids and a sob story that goes something like this: "My mother in Michigan is real sick and we're trying to get there, but we have run out of money and our gas is almost gone. Can you give us enough money to buy gas to get us to Michigan?"
Now the first time it happened, I bit. We took up a collection to help the poor woman on her way. Then I was moved to another church. Same story different people, showed up at worship needing money to get to someplace. Now my radar has gone off. I tell the woman that she will have to sit through worship services and then we would see. I asked her to bring the children in too, but she refused. I felt sorry for the poor kids, but I made her sit through the service anyway. Then I told the congregation if they felt moved to offer her some assistance, it was up to them. Some did, some didn't. Same thing happened at the third church. Made her sit through service too. I leave it up to the individuals whether they anti up or not. I won't do it now. Fool me once shame on you, fool me three times shame on me.
Also had a man walk in on our Wed. evening Bible study. All women. Since the church sits on a major highway, I was more than a little worried. The man wanted money for gas (of course). I tried to tell him that we had a community fund supported by all the churches, that covers that kind of emergencies, and told him who to contact. He didn't want to do that. I sent one of the ladies to the office to call and see if someone from the fund could bring him a voucher. I had signaled her to call the sheriff while he was distracted. She came back and said nobody was answering the phone. Finally one of the ladies gave him $20 and he left. It's a shame that people take advantage of our Christian charity to scam people who really can't afford to be scammed. Yes, I've grown cynical too. Sad, but human.