I don’t know about you, but when I see someone holding up a cardboard sign asking for money I question their honesty. Are they really going to spend the money on food? Perhaps they are just choosing not to work because tax free money pays well. Or, maybe, there’s something more I should be considering . . . .
Proverbs 28:27 NIV states:
Those who give to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to them receive many curses.
Ouch. That sounds like me in my car when I try to ignore their pleas for help.
The Bible makes it clear that we are to help those in need. But how are we to know if someone is in need? Can we really know if those begging on the streets are really poor? And if they are poor, doesn’t the fact that they live in America make them among the richest in the world?
It may not be possible to know if certain beggars are really poor, but obviously they need some direction in their lives to make a better living for themselves. Maybe they need someone to look them in the eye and treat them with respect. Perhaps some of them really can’t find a way out of their situation, and they would just like to know someone cares.
Proverbs is saying that if we give to the poor, we’re going to lack nothing. It also says that if we turn our heads, close our eyes, and ignore the poor, we’re going to receive many curses. These are pretty good motivators for doing the right thing.
But perhaps the next question we should ask ourselves is how we should give to the poor. I think there are a few things we should keep in mind here . . . .
First of all, we should manage our money for God and give when we see honest, true need. Maybe we hear of someone who needs something and we don’t have any reason to doubt it. Perhaps we see someone in a difficult situation that we can address. Or perhaps we have some inside knowledge on the individual standing outside with the cardboard sign and know they really need help.
Second, we should view our giving as an investment into the lives of needy individuals, and not do it out of what we would hope to get in return. When giving, it is usually best to do so anonymously if possible. It’s not always wise or possible to give anonymously, but I’d have to say that the majority of the time it certainly is.
Again, Proverbs is telling us that we should give to the poor. Pretty straightforward, right? It’s making clear the consequences of not giving – and we should heed that warning – but moreover we should give to those we know who are in need because it is the right thing to do.
Knowing when and how to give are complicated issues. But if we listen to the Holy Spirit, I have a feeling we’ll be prompted to give more than we currently do.
What do you think about giving to the poor? Leave a comment!
John, I agree with the points you have shared, but what if the person isn’t really poor, but a con man?
I was an urban missionary for four years, doing homeless crisis intervention. I worked mostly with mentally ill street people but got to know plenty of “generic” homeless people too.
From my experience, I’ve found that nearly all of the people who panhandle or hold up signs asking for money are looking for a fast buck, not true help.
How did I discover this? I took the time to get to know them.
I introduced myself and got to know their name. I asked them to tell me their story of how they came to be in such a dire situation that they were out asking strangers for money. It is only by taking 10-15 minutes to get to know them and their situation that we can begin to discern how best to help.
I ask questions like, Do you make it a habit to ask routine strangers to give you money? How long have you been doing this? Where do you live (what kind of home or arrangement)? What did you do for food yesterday? What are you going to do tomorrow? What are you doing to find a long-term solution to this situation? Who has been helping you (what agency or person)? Do you know where you can go to get free meals and groceries in this town? Don’t you have any family and friends who can help you? When’s the last time you really worked?
I found that if I asked enough questions and truly tried to discern what was going on in this person’s life, the con men would get frustrated and would tell me to forget it because I was taking up their time and keeping them from getting money from other people.
But those who genuinely needed help were glad that someone cared and wanted to really get to know them. And when I could sense that, I was glad to find a way to help.
So, if we keep giving people money without taking the time to truly discern the right way to help, I think we’re perpetuating the problem and encouraging them to keep on panhandling and soliciting the public.
But if we take the time to get to know them, we can begin taking steps to providing real help for them.
That’s my take on it, anyway!
Great post!
I love that verse & can honestly say that every time I’m asked to give to the poor, I do. And we’re far from “well off”. We’re a family of six living off of a modest income that most are shocked at since I budget well with & we’re NEVER in need or want for anything. I’m not downtown here often (where the homeless tend to be on the street asking for money) but I aways keep toonies ($2 coins) in my pocket to give to those who ask. My best friend will always roll here eyes at me & say my “heart is too soft”, but I love that about myself… I believe God wants us to give at every opportunity so I take advantage of that & do so… God has proved Himself faithful so I must do the same! We also give to charities regularly as well… sometimes a small donation, sometimes a large donation, but always something. 
I don’t judge people begging on the street. If they are “faking” it, they are few and far between. Especially at this time of year when it’s cold. Besides which, if they take my money and they’re not poor, they’d better put it to very good use or face some tough questions from their Maker when they meet him…
My father helped out a homeless man by allowing him to live in our farmhouse rent free in return for about a half day’s work each day on the farm. This man says that about 95% of the street beggars do not actually need the money, that most of them are on some type of welfare. Therefore, as you stated in the article, I find it hard to give out money to those folks now due to the insight from a person that used to be one of them. I am amazed at my father’s generosity but yet he is making the man work a little for the roof over his head which I think helps more than just a hand out.
Austin, thanks for your input! That’s an interesting story, and it’s so cool that your father was generous enough to provide shelter for the homeless man. Another thing I noticed, your father taught him the value of working instead of just giving freely, and I bet that did more for him than a simple handout would. Just a hunch.
That’s a good point Matt. Even if they do the wrong thing with your money, you’re doing what you feel led to do – which is a good thing!
I’m seeing that you mix spontaneous giving with regular (pre-planned) giving. That’s a great formula to follow! Love it! Way to go Carla, there needs to be more giving people in the world like you.
Rich, what you said here is so valuable. I don’t think enough people take the time to figure out what’s going on in other’s lives, and sometimes they give to the wrong cause as a result. Way to go Rich! Simply awesome!
One time this past week, i passed a homeless guy along the road. He did not asked for any from me but i think he just sort of talked to me through his eyes. I mean that look that’s like really goes into you and tells a very soft sound like “could you help me”. I held for a while and kept walking, but about 20 meters passed of him i guess i turned around and pulled something from my pocket about $3. I was gonna give my hand held coffee too but hell that’s inappropriate. I could forget the feeling how he connected to me in just a simple look in the eye. I guess that must be my soft side coming out. It’s hard just giving away few dollars or cents nowadays but that felt good.
Good for you doing what you thought was best! Thanks for being a reader Pam.