So short version of a long story-
About a month ago, I wrote a post on my struggle with panhandlers…what to do? I want to be GIVING. I mean that is the focus of this crazy journey my family and I are on, but handing over money to just anyone on the street didn’t seem right. I received a comment on the post from Rebecca Ramsey. See, she knew someone, Beth Templeton, who happened to write a book dealing with poverty and one of the chapters discussed my questions on panhandling. The chapter Becky mentioned was called Servant or Sucker?. Nice title right? I thought so too so I stole it, and changed the name of the post. I mean really, with my teeny, tiny following who would notice, right?
Um, wrong.
The next day I received an email from Beth’s publishing company. Yikes! Did I know about the book? Gulp. But, instead of chastising me, the woman asked if I would like Beth Templeton’s email. You see her publishing company thought I might be interested in talking with her. What? Well, OK!
So first of all, Beth’s book Loving Our Neighbor: A Thoughtful Approach to Helping People in Poverty is a must read for anyone interested in understanding those in poverty, and practical ways to help. On the subject of giving money directly to people on the street she says this, “When someone walks up to us, tells us his or her "situation," and asks for money, we may pull out cash and give it. We do it because we truly want to help. Or else we give because we feel guilty. We respond because we are afraid. We hand over money because we want the person to go away.”
Yes, yes, yes! I never thought of it that way, but it’s true. Although I don’t give money to panhandlers I often have that same reaction…go away.
So what is a better way of handling the situation? And how do I explain this situation to my daughter?
Beth believes in giving to local service agencies and offers up this as a possible way of explaining the situation to your child.
“I really care about what's going on with that man. If I give him money right now for food, he might not be hungry for the next few hours. But if we give that money to such and such agency and suggest that he go there for help, they can help him in ways that could improve his entire life. And then make sure the child knows how you're helping the agency. If you decide to collect food for a pantry, you can tell your child that you are giving food so that guys like the one you saw on the street can eat.”
Good stuff. If you, your church, or you know of any kind of organization that is interested in this topic, go take a look at Loving Our Neighbor A Thoughtful Approach to Helping People in Poverty. Go now, it's worth the double click.
14 comments:
this question has bothered me for some time as well. to play the devil's advocate for but a moment - is it okay to say that when you're talking about Jesus? should i play the angel's advocate? - what do you make of Jesus' exhortation to "give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back" (luke 6:30)? i wonder if the complete surrender of ownership this verse requires of us motivates us to mitigate its directive. i wouldn't want to turn Jesus' words into a law unto themselves, but it feels too straightforward to alter or water down. as it pertains to its application, this might be a high price to pay, depending on one's home city, etc. still, it seems like Jesus is calling us to give when asked, no questions asked.
Good point- so glad you brought it up.
The Bible does require us to give, and we are commanded to do so many times over…nothing watered down there. But Jesus also commands us to be wise in our actions. Can we do both? I think it is a requirement. In her book, Beth points to Matthew 10:16, "Be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves" to support the idea of “engaging our brains” when reaching out to others. One of my favorite points of the book is handing over cash is just a fast fix. It doesn’t deal with any of the underlying issues people in poverty face: alcoholism, drugs, mental illness, disabilities, and so on. Also, this type of giving doesn’t seem to encourage much of a relationship or understanding of one another.
Serious dialogue on the subject, I like it.
Ps Where did the J. come from?
Love this. I love how connected we can be over the net. And I also love this advice. I am always struggling with this same issue. Thanks for the post.
maybe i'm just being philosophically stubborn, but i wonder if it couldn't be a matter of 'yes, and'. if someone asks for money, we give it, but we don't stop there. giving a bit of cash might just be the beginning of our relationship with those around us in need. if i'm honest, i'm not entirely sure that i'm ready for that level of involvement, but i want to be. help me, Jesus.
Oh, God is so wondrous. Look at what HE put in your lap. Only through HIS almighty hand.
I love stories like this that are a testament to His promises to us. LOVE THEM.
I have wondered the same thing. In the past I've been told to buy them food instead of giving money. But what if the food isn't available? I over think it. I like what Steven mentioned above that he's not sure if he's ready for going beyond just giving money. Don't know if I'd be ready for that either...
What a cool story! (now that we know it turned out ok!)
When I was younger, I told a homeless man I would go buy him a meal at McDonalds rather than giving him cash. I ran into McD's to get the food, came out and he was gone. IT's not the food he wanted! Now my daughters both get mad if we don't give money to homeless. "It's God's business what they do with it!" is what they say. We instead are focusing, as the author suggests, on agencies and ministries that serve the homeless.
Beth has a
That's a great response to a tough situation!!
Ok, really loving all the comments and discussion.
Shrinking the Camel, one of my best friends used to think the same thing as your daughters. Then one day her boss told her flat out that she was part of the reason these people stayed on the street...because their needs were being met.
I do agree with you Steven, involvement on the level you are talking about is tough. I know I'm not ready for that either.
Hey , this is a great article, I will look for more information about this book.As a book lover, always challenged to read new books.
Thanks again
I struggle with this more than I can properly verbalize. My dad is often one of those homeless. A chronic alcoholic who often lands, on his butt, on a sidewalk. He is not one of the pan-handling type, but would take money if offered. I know, for him, the money would go directly to alcohol. My heart needs to give, but I am glad to see the instruction to give wisely. I have been known to hand over food, to go buy a sandwich or to contribute regularly to a food shelf (anything but the money).
The lifetime of solar panels depends on the material or type of panel
you are using, how well they are maintained, and the type of weather in your
area. In a solar panel you get the silicon surrounded by a protective material
and the two are framed in a metal frame. However, these roller
shades are fire retardant and are awesome options for apartments, condos, offices,
and other business establishments like bakeries, banks, etc.
Check out my web-site - Solarstrom
Either I stop biting my nails, or she gives me a full refund.
The open wounded part can lead to an infection not only to your
fingernails but also in your mouth. Quite a few nail biters will also continue biting
and chewing their fingernails despite extreme
damage and bleeding from the nail bed.
Here is my web blog - How to stop biting your nails
Some, however, will try to take over the garden
bed. Small and soft skin growths acquired on the skin are called skin tags.
Others think tanning and sunning themselves will dry up their skin and
pimples to eliminate their acne.
Stop by my web page; How to get rid of skin tags
Post a Comment
Talk to me, friends.