Like many of you, I really enjoy meeting people downtown at Mocha. For those of you who don't know about Mocha, it's a classy independant coffee shop at the intersection of Plankington and Wisconsin Avenues, in the middle of downtown. I haven't been down there for months, but I've been there twice this week with different people. And you'll never guess what happened to us both times: we were asked for money!Both nights we were having great conversations about our relationships with God, but on our way out, in the busy doorway, we're hit up, and told a tragic story. The first night the individual told us they were just robbed on National Avenue. They asked if they could use a cell phone, we agreed, and then wanted money.
Last night, an elderly woman stopped us and asked for $20 dollars for groceries. My friend gave her $5; I offered to buy her something to eat; and the offer was declined.
As I walked to my car I had an uneasy feeling. Did I respond the way Jesus would have? I don't know. I always prepare myself to respond correctly, which includes trying to get a whiff of their alcohol-laced breath. But when the moment comes, I seem to always freeze up! I know there are no easy answers for the needy among us, but I'm probably better off when I have to struggle with these issues. Would Jesus give money? Would he go with them to buy food? Would he pray with them? Would he direct them to the Salvation Army? I know he'd show courtesy and love, but beyond that, I'm not sure. I'd love to know what you think is the right response.
3 comments:
maybe they should read the post above, and make a quick hundo. but I usually give them something. A few dollars, which helps out greatly, because if everyone did that, they would be well off.
I was in LA this week and constantly was asked for money. It was seriously like 10-15 times a day. I honestly did not carry any cash with me at all just so I wouldn't be lying when I said, "I don't have any money to give you." It was disheartening. I want to help, but then I think about all of the places they could go to get back to a good place if they wanted to. If I were in that position(in dire need), in fact, if any of us reading this were in that position, we could just rest on family, or a good friend. Do the chronically homeless have no one to turn to? Do they even have the capacity to get a job if offered one? I think it might be somewhat like the prison system; most of those who spend considerable amount of time there, upon release will end up back in the system within 1 year. It gets comfortable. I'll be the last person to say that homelessness is "comfortable", but isn't that a state of mind, not necessarily circumstance?
Long, but heartfelt post... I have experience serving in small ways at homeless shelters, and my mother has been served in numerous capacities at the Portland Rescue Mission as a staff member for 8 years. Most recently (the last 3 years) she's been in charge of fundraising for the rehab programs they run for men and women. In addition she has been dating for 3 years a man who was a part of the program for a short time, and has been miraculously saved from his former lifestyle of alcohol addiction (he was not actually homeless).
These experiences have given me a lot of insight into the life of a homeless person. I have heard hundreds of stories as my mom has documented them for the website and mailings. I have seen people's lives changed and seen others slip back into the poverty and hopelessness they have grown addicted to. And Mike was right on the money: homelessness becomes comfortable for many, and even being offered jobs, clothes and a place to stay is often rejected. Being homeless is the ultimate self-powering lifestyle. No rules, no limitations except your own, and no one to tell you you're wrong; no accountability has it's own degrading allure. They grow to love it, and are afraid of changing any of it.
There are many ways to meet the needs of the needy, but one thing that every person involved with that ministry will tell you:
Never, ever give cash to a beggar on the street.
Sometimes they won't even look like a beggar, and they may look normal, well-kept. But 9 times out of 10, if not more, they are addicts to alcohol, drugs, or even simply gambling.
By giving a homeless person cash, you are quite frankly enabling a principle-weakened individual to continue in their destructive lifestyle. The comment earlier that "if everyone did that, they would be well off" simply would mean they'd have thousands of dollars to shoot up, drink up or gamble away, rather than truly change.
There are exceptions to every rule, and there are a blessed few who have been able to pull out of the wreckage with a few dollars handed to them on the street. But they are few. If someone has a flat tire, take the time to help them fix it; if they need bus fare, offer them a ride; if they need food, buy them a meal; if they say their heat has been shut off, give them your coat and freeze till you get home. This is what Christ would have done. His life was not about his next appointment, but about serving needs with his time, energy and his own dirty, homeless hands.
So the next time you feel like giving a homeless person a few bucks to end the awkward confrontation, ask yourself if you're doing it to make them go away... or to make yourself feel better about "giving"... or if you're doing it to really serve their TRUE needs. Because you must believe that their true needs will not be served by tossing them a few dollars and walking away.
These lyrics communicate this pervasive problem really well:
Broadway
Sherri Youngward
Silently she watches as the cars go by
The minutes turn to hours
And she tries not to cry
It seems no one remembered to come take her home
It’s been years now
Still she waits alone
A young boy begs for money
On the corner of the street
I see him almost everyday
But our eyes never meet
I wonder where you came from
I wonder where you’ll go
I wonder if you disappeared
If anyone would know
You were hungry
You were thirsty
You were lonely
And afraid
You were crying
And no one heard you
You were dying and no one came
I’ll never forget you
Your face is etched in my mind
You held out your hand
And I just tossed you a dime
Sitting on the sidewalk
With those eyes so blue
I’d give anything for another chance
Just to talk to you
(Chorus)
Father forgive me I know not what I do
When I walk through this life
When I walk right by you
These faces and memories, these places I’ve been
Lord, help me to see You when I see them again
And here's another lyric that really convicts me:
Out there somewhere, a man begging for a different life.
Unseen, unknown, they won't miss him; they hand him a knife.
A fire on his concrete lawn,
his dream box burns to the ground today.
No one ever told him that they loved his soul, now his future blows away.
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