Comments on: Should You Give to A Beggar? http://www.nathancolquhoun.com/2007/07/20/should-you-give-to-a-beggar the home of Nathan Colquhoun Fri, 10 Feb 2012 21:52:21 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Makeesha http://www.nathancolquhoun.com/2007/07/20/should-you-give-to-a-beggar#comment-1667 Makeesha Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1667 that's really good, and I agree with you. A challenge I'm going to accept :) that’s really good, and I agree with you. A challenge I’m going to accept :)

]]> By: Gnorb http://www.nathancolquhoun.com/2007/07/20/should-you-give-to-a-beggar#comment-1668 Gnorb Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1668 I used to give money, all the time, to beggars on the road. Once a beggar came to me with a story about trying to get enough money to take the bus home, so I gave it to him, just to see him go and buy a coke with the money, then beg from a bunch of other people. <br /> <br /> That was the last time I gave.<br /> <br /> Later I saw a friend of mine get the same story. He called a taxi, gave the driver $20 and told him "Keep the change... do NOT give it to him." This way if the guy just said "let me off here", he wouldn't get the rest of the money. If he really did need a ride home, then he'd get it, and the Taxi drive would already still have his tip.<br /> <br /> There may be times when beggars ask because they really need. In America, that's not often the case: anyone can get what they need if they're willing to look for it. Hundreds of organizations for which donations and tax dollars have already been spent are set up to take care of them all, give them homes, etc. If they ask for help, I'll usually point them to where they can go. <br /> <br /> Good idea. I've yet to use it though.<br /> <br /> What I do now is offer them work. I've never once gotten someone to agree to that. (What, is washing a car beneath you? You'll get $30 -- that's more than I get paid an hour!) A friend of mine, a writer, has taken an innovative approach: he'll give them a dollar or two if they tell him a story. I haven't yet seen how this works, but I imagine stories are a plentiful commodity.<br /> <br /> Often time, the people in South Florida which would be just begging are selling newspapers on street corners. I'll give money to these people aaaaalll day long. "Paper's $.35? Here's a $5, keep the change." Unlike their beggar-only counterparts, these guys are willing to work, and I'm willing to reward them for it. I get nothing out of it, really -- I don't really read newspapers, except maybe the Classifieds once in a while -- but they're working, which means they're willing to do what they have to. <br /> <br /> In the end, I believe that while you give with a good heart, you may be better serving your fellow man by taking them to where they can get help (or getting help to them) instead of just giving them cash, or even food. And of course, if they're willing to work, then the onus is on me to take care of them.<br /> <br /> Thanks for the good, thoughtful post. I used to give money, all the time, to beggars on the road. Once a beggar came to me with a story about trying to get enough money to take the bus home, so I gave it to him, just to see him go and buy a coke with the money, then beg from a bunch of other people.

That was the last time I gave.

Later I saw a friend of mine get the same story. He called a taxi, gave the driver $20 and told him “Keep the change… do NOT give it to him.” This way if the guy just said “let me off here”, he wouldn’t get the rest of the money. If he really did need a ride home, then he’d get it, and the Taxi drive would already still have his tip.

There may be times when beggars ask because they really need. In America, that’s not often the case: anyone can get what they need if they’re willing to look for it. Hundreds of organizations for which donations and tax dollars have already been spent are set up to take care of them all, give them homes, etc. If they ask for help, I’ll usually point them to where they can go.

Good idea. I’ve yet to use it though.

What I do now is offer them work. I’ve never once gotten someone to agree to that. (What, is washing a car beneath you? You’ll get $30 — that’s more than I get paid an hour!) A friend of mine, a writer, has taken an innovative approach: he’ll give them a dollar or two if they tell him a story. I haven’t yet seen how this works, but I imagine stories are a plentiful commodity.

Often time, the people in South Florida which would be just begging are selling newspapers on street corners. I’ll give money to these people aaaaalll day long. “Paper’s $.35? Here’s a $5, keep the change.” Unlike their beggar-only counterparts, these guys are willing to work, and I’m willing to reward them for it. I get nothing out of it, really — I don’t really read newspapers, except maybe the Classifieds once in a while — but they’re working, which means they’re willing to do what they have to.

In the end, I believe that while you give with a good heart, you may be better serving your fellow man by taking them to where they can get help (or getting help to them) instead of just giving them cash, or even food. And of course, if they’re willing to work, then the onus is on me to take care of them.

Thanks for the good, thoughtful post.

]]> By: Gnorb http://www.nathancolquhoun.com/2007/07/20/should-you-give-to-a-beggar#comment-1669 Gnorb Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1669 Err... that "good idea" goes below the 2nd big paragraph (the Taxi thing), not the 3rd (the pointing them to a source of help). Bad editing on my part.<br /> <br /> It should read:<br /> <br /> <blockquote>Later I saw a friend of mine get the same story. He called a taxi, gave the driver $20 and told him "Keep the change... do NOT give it to him." This way if the guy just said "let me off here", he wouldn't get the rest of the money. If he really did need a ride home, then he'd get it, and the Taxi drive would already still have his tip.<br /> <br /> Good idea. I've yet to use it though.<br /> <br /> There may be times when beggars ask because they really need...</blockquote><br /> <br /> Sorry about the confusion. (Feel free to "fix" the above paragraph and delete this comment for clarity's sake. Thanks.) Err… that “good idea” goes below the 2nd big paragraph (the Taxi thing), not the 3rd (the pointing them to a source of help). Bad editing on my part.

It should read:

Later I saw a friend of mine get the same story. He called a taxi, gave the driver $20 and told him “Keep the change… do NOT give it to him.” This way if the guy just said “let me off here”, he wouldn’t get the rest of the money. If he really did need a ride home, then he’d get it, and the Taxi drive would already still have his tip.

Good idea. I’ve yet to use it though.

There may be times when beggars ask because they really need…

Sorry about the confusion. (Feel free to “fix” the above paragraph and delete this comment for clarity’s sake. Thanks.)

]]> By: Makeesha http://www.nathancolquhoun.com/2007/07/20/should-you-give-to-a-beggar#comment-1670 Makeesha Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1670 I think the point is with giving to the poor is that we're not told to give to the poor, to give to the beggar only when we can justify it as "wise" or "good stewardship" in our American minds. I think the point is with giving to the poor is that we’re not told to give to the poor, to give to the beggar only when we can justify it as “wise” or “good stewardship” in our American minds.

]]> By: Gnorb http://www.nathancolquhoun.com/2007/07/20/should-you-give-to-a-beggar#comment-1671 Gnorb Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1671 But what about the context in which it is said? When the Bible says "poor", it's talking about a society in which there's no social safety net, no organizations or institutions developed specifically to help them. We (I'm talking US only, I don't know about other countries) have set up systems specifically to deal with this, and while they are indeed sometimes inadequate (and trust me, I'm well aware of the system's deficiencies), the fact of the matter is that is someone wants help, there's help there for them. You can't compare that culture to us, can't take the words at face value. <br /> <br /> I'm of the belief that context is of such importance that without it, lessons can do more harm than good. It's like knowing that aspirin is good for you when you have a fever, then giving that aspirin to your cat because he has a fever. <br /> <br /> Context: good for us, not good for them. Likewise in the Bible: context is key to truly understanding. But what about the context in which it is said? When the Bible says “poor”, it’s talking about a society in which there’s no social safety net, no organizations or institutions developed specifically to help them. We (I’m talking US only, I don’t know about other countries) have set up systems specifically to deal with this, and while they are indeed sometimes inadequate (and trust me, I’m well aware of the system’s deficiencies), the fact of the matter is that is someone wants help, there’s help there for them. You can’t compare that culture to us, can’t take the words at face value.

I’m of the belief that context is of such importance that without it, lessons can do more harm than good. It’s like knowing that aspirin is good for you when you have a fever, then giving that aspirin to your cat because he has a fever.

Context: good for us, not good for them. Likewise in the Bible: context is key to truly understanding.

]]> By: Makeesha http://www.nathancolquhoun.com/2007/07/20/should-you-give-to-a-beggar#comment-1672 Makeesha Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1672 I value context strongly as well. And I see what you're saying. I don't think the idea here is to create law but to instill in our hearts and purposes of the messages of Christ.<br /> <br /> If that does not lead you to give to beggars then that's fine. But wrestling with it is important and I'm not sure inserting our American ideas of capitalism, individualism and stewardship of money is necessarily the correct hermeneutic either I value context strongly as well. And I see what you’re saying. I don’t think the idea here is to create law but to instill in our hearts and purposes of the messages of Christ.

If that does not lead you to give to beggars then that’s fine. But wrestling with it is important and I’m not sure inserting our American ideas of capitalism, individualism and stewardship of money is necessarily the correct hermeneutic either

]]> By: Luis Alberto http://www.nathancolquhoun.com/2007/07/20/should-you-give-to-a-beggar#comment-1673 Luis Alberto Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1673 In response to Gnorb, yes it is totally different in the U.S. vs. the rest of the world. In my country, Peru, you do deal with beggars everyday. From the young ones juggling cans, balls or even balancing canes lit on fire, to the very young, 6-7 year olds begging for some money, to the elderly that can barely walk, to those who have some kind of special condition (no arms, different sized legs, etc.)<br /> <br /> Here there are really very few institutions that support or help this persons. With what I've seen some people capable to donate on the U.S., you could feed or provide clothes for hundreds or thousands of them here. For example, in this country, $2 can afford you two full meals a day in a low cost restaurant.<br /> <br /> Just some food for thought...! In response to Gnorb, yes it is totally different in the U.S. vs. the rest of the world. In my country, Peru, you do deal with beggars everyday. From the young ones juggling cans, balls or even balancing canes lit on fire, to the very young, 6-7 year olds begging for some money, to the elderly that can barely walk, to those who have some kind of special condition (no arms, different sized legs, etc.)

Here there are really very few institutions that support or help this persons. With what I’ve seen some people capable to donate on the U.S., you could feed or provide clothes for hundreds or thousands of them here. For example, in this country, $2 can afford you two full meals a day in a low cost restaurant.

Just some food for thought…!

]]> By: Jamie Arpin-Ricci http://www.nathancolquhoun.com/2007/07/20/should-you-give-to-a-beggar#comment-1674 Jamie Arpin-Ricci Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1674 Great food for thought. This issue comes up a lot from our staff and volunteers here in Winnipeg's inner city. I saw it 10 times as much when I lived in Vancouver (a more forgiving climate for a street culture).<br /> <br /> When people ask me if they should give to beggars, but first answer is always "Yes". Giving to all who ask does not, however, always mean giving them what they are asking for. Sometimes it means money, food, bus tickets, etc. Always it means dignity and relationship. The first rule of thumb for is, stop, look them in the eye and engage them as fellow Eikons of the living God.<br /> <br /> As your post (and many of the comments demonstrate) have indicated, beyond this is can get complicated. When I lived in Vancouver, I got to know many of the panhandlers and beggars on Commercial Drive. Sometimes I would give, other times I would chat or bring a tray of Costco muffins. Some of them I knew were hardcore heroine addicts, so they knew I wouldn't give them money. Some of them, who later cleaned up, appreciated that (though they didn't always at the time).<br /> <br /> One day, as I arrived at the YWAM centre, I saw our parking lot shut down by police tape. It turned out that one of the local panhandlers had O.D.ed in our lot and died in the night. This didn't convince me to never give money again, but it did make me pause.<br /> <br /> Therefore, I think we are called to give to all who ask- give of ourselves, our time, our biases, our money, etc. We need to be willing to allow these people to become a part of our lives- a disruptive part, if need be- and give them, above all, the love that is theirs from God and His Church. What that looks like will vary, but it isn't optional.<br /> <br /> I really love a line from a song I heard last year. It is a prayer and says:<br /> <br /> "Give bread to those who are hungry,<br /> Give a hunger justice to those who have bread."<br /> <br /> Peace,<br /> Jamie Great food for thought. This issue comes up a lot from our staff and volunteers here in Winnipeg’s inner city. I saw it 10 times as much when I lived in Vancouver (a more forgiving climate for a street culture).

When people ask me if they should give to beggars, but first answer is always “Yes”. Giving to all who ask does not, however, always mean giving them what they are asking for. Sometimes it means money, food, bus tickets, etc. Always it means dignity and relationship. The first rule of thumb for is, stop, look them in the eye and engage them as fellow Eikons of the living God.

As your post (and many of the comments demonstrate) have indicated, beyond this is can get complicated. When I lived in Vancouver, I got to know many of the panhandlers and beggars on Commercial Drive. Sometimes I would give, other times I would chat or bring a tray of Costco muffins. Some of them I knew were hardcore heroine addicts, so they knew I wouldn’t give them money. Some of them, who later cleaned up, appreciated that (though they didn’t always at the time).

One day, as I arrived at the YWAM centre, I saw our parking lot shut down by police tape. It turned out that one of the local panhandlers had O.D.ed in our lot and died in the night. This didn’t convince me to never give money again, but it did make me pause.

Therefore, I think we are called to give to all who ask- give of ourselves, our time, our biases, our money, etc. We need to be willing to allow these people to become a part of our lives- a disruptive part, if need be- and give them, above all, the love that is theirs from God and His Church. What that looks like will vary, but it isn’t optional.

I really love a line from a song I heard last year. It is a prayer and says:

“Give bread to those who are hungry,
Give a hunger justice to those who have bread.”

Peace,
Jamie

]]> By: Makeesha http://www.nathancolquhoun.com/2007/07/20/should-you-give-to-a-beggar#comment-1675 Makeesha Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1675 good stuff jamie. good stuff jamie.

]]> By: Ron Smith http://www.nathancolquhoun.com/2007/07/20/should-you-give-to-a-beggar#comment-1676 Ron Smith Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-1676 A bum asked me for money the other day and I said "NO! You're only going to spend it on booze" (I knew this because he was standing outside of the liquor store I was buying booze from). <br /> Its then I realized "why should I be hard on this guy about buying booze, thats what I am spending my money on." Its not like he is going to take the cash and invest in an RSP. A bum asked me for money the other day and I said “NO! You’re only going to spend it on booze” (I knew this because he was standing outside of the liquor store I was buying booze from).
Its then I realized “why should I be hard on this guy about buying booze, thats what I am spending my money on.” Its not like he is going to take the cash and invest in an RSP.

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