Give to this guy? (Photo: Alex E. Proimos)
So the local bum steps up to you as you’re headed to your car. Let’s be sexist and assume the bum’s a “he.” You know what he’s going to ask, but somehow he spits it out before you can interrupt him.
Ah, decisions. He looks like an able-bodied guy, and you’re pretty sure the McDonald’s on the corner is hiring. What do you do?
Do you give this bum some cash, even though you’re convinced he… well, won’t use it the way you’d like?
I used to be the guy who’d say no. And I’d defend my choice by linking it to biblical stewardship.
Now I’m changing my mind. I noticed when God tells us to be careful with our stuff, He’s not usually speaking in the context of giving. When He calls us to frugality, He’s speaking in the context of spending for personal pleasure.
When He calls us to generosity, though, He wants us to mirror His example, giving generously. God wants us to err on the side of mercy and grace and compassion.
Take a gander through His Word…
“Give to everyone who asks of you…” -Luke 6:30
“Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them… he who gives, with liberality…” -Romans 12:6-7
“He who has a generous eye will be blessed, for he gives of his bread to the poor.” -Proverbs 22:9
“Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God… that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.” -1 Timothy 6:17-19
“The generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will also be watered himself.” -Proverbs 11:25
“If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,’ but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?” -James 2:15-16
“Also the schemes of the schemer are evil; he devises wicked plans to destroy the poor with lying words, even when the needy speaks justice. But a generous man devises generous things, and by generosity he shall stand.” -Isaiah 32:7-8
“He who gives to the poor will not lack, but he who hides his eyes will have many curses.” -Proverbs 28:27
“Freely you have received, freely give.” -Matthew 10:8
“But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart , not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.” -2 Corinthians 9:6-7
Reckless generosity is laced throughout the Bible – these are just 10 examples. What does that mean for you and I… and that bum?
Serving Suggestions:
(1) Next time someone asks for money or anything really, err on the side of giving whenever possible.
(2) Taking this even further, can you purposely look for these opportunities instead of waiting for the bum to corner you in the alley?
(3) What’s your take on this? What’s holding back your generosity?
Give to everyone who asks always pops in my head when I try to avoid the bum.
Yes, there’s no qualifier, like, “Give to anyone who asks for something they really need.”
-Marshall Jones Jr.
I used to work downtown and walked by some familiar faces every day panhandling (that’s what they call it here). I followed a suggestion I heard on Focus on the Family… bought a $5 gift card at McD’s every week or so and gave it to the first person I saw the next day. It was a way to guarantee they would use it for food and not spend it on something they shouldn’t. Problem was that the closest location was in a hotel, and they wouldn’t let the homeless in, even if they were there to conduct business. Such a shame…
That’s a great idea… but yes, it does depend a bit on the availability of the restaurant.
I remember one time around Christmas giving someone on a corner a half gallon of boiled custard. I’m pretty sure that was a high point in my giving experiences.
-Marshall Jones Jr.
Love your thoughts here, Marshall. Hard to argue with scripture. I like how expose the ‘stewardship’ rationale doesn’t really hold up. If I have something, I will most likely give it, but now I’m thinking maybe I should carry some cash and/or gift card so I’ll be ready.
Thanks.
I didn’t even think about it until just now, but I do have a Marathon gas card in my wallet. Maybe I’ll get an opportunity to share it.
I’m thinking the gift card thing is going to become a right of passage: “Are you a bondChristian? Well, let’s see – do you always carry a gift card with you for the local bums you meet…?”
-Marshall Jones Jr.
A friend use to carry granola bars with her, eventually she started giving them to people when they asked her for money for food. I also knew people who bought metro cards (in DC) with the exact amount to get to a homeless shelter and gave then to people.
In college, I usually carried granola bars with me too to eat between classes. They were always a great conversation starter – better than gum in my opinion – for students I’d meet in the hallways. Great idea to extend that to people you meet in the street too.
-Marshall Jones Jr.
I like all these ideas for gift cards and stuff. I’m with you all. I won’t buy alcohol or cigarrettes nor will I give someone money for them. Thus, when someone asks for money, I tell them, “I can do better than that”, and buy them a meal from the nearest fast food joint. I once bought someone $20 worth of gas, and pumped it for them myself. I was once homeless myself, and during that time God opened my eyes to the ugly side of things. If I don’t have something to give, I help them find what they’re asking for.
That’s really the spirit… trying to go out of your way to help people and provide what they really need.
I like your idea about pumping gas too. I’ll give people money, but I always prefer to actually buy what they need for them instead of letting them spend it however they want.
-Marshall Jones Jr.
My wife and I obtained a couch from a place that helps people get back on their feet. One of their guidelines was to never give money to beggers. I think this is because they will never learn to take care of themselves.
Gift cards are the equivalent to money but with a narrow focus.
I like the gift card idea.
Yes, that’s a tricky line. I like to try to give out money still (if I have it on me)… but it can also help to ask some questions, get to know the person even a little, and see if you can recommend a job or something for them instead of just providing an immediate fix.
“You can give a man a fish…”
-Marshall Jones Jr.
I have missionary friends in Italy. They give once a day to the first begger who asks for money.
The second person who asks gets turned down. They tell the begger that they all ready gave their money away.
I have never seen as many beggers as I did in Italy.
“First come, first serve”… literally.
I’ve never been to Italy. I wonder why that is.
-Marshall Jones Jr.
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I thought a lot about this too. I won’t turn away a bum on the street begging, but prefer to give it to an shelter. They have beds, medical care, and counselling that I can’t offer. Still, it shows compassion and a good heart to give when people ask. I heard a few times that if you really want to help a homeless person, talk with them for a while. Chances are a good chat can really lift their spirits. I admit I don’t have the courage to do that yet.
I don’t have the time for the conversation… or at least that’s what I’ve told myself. I love it when I get the opportunity, though. Often, they have some amazing stories of things they’ve done or seen. It’s a perspective shifter.
Great advice, though… for anyone, really, not just beggers and bums.
-Marshall Jones Jr.
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