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an interesting thought
daywalker:
--- Quote from: moxicarose on May 30, 2011, 02:36:19 PM ---
--- Quote from: daywalker on May 27, 2011, 10:59:21 AM ---
--- Quote from: markn902 on May 25, 2011, 01:45:02 PM ---
She said what struck her was that if this were to happen today, that is a crippled beggar getting up to walk, people would see it as that man was lying about his condition to get money. I think she is right thats what people would say if they saw a man crippled asking for money then later saw him walking. Even if he said it was a miracle we would say "yeah right"
I don't know I just thought it was an interesting observation and thought I would share
Mark
--- End quote ---
That is interesting and very true in my opinion.
When I still lived in Orange County, my friends and I hung out at this local coffee shop often. There were a few beggars who came there every night asking for change, and like the generous young kids we were, we would give them the change from our coffee purchases. Then one chilly night, one of them came by and he had this really nice brand new sports wind breaker jacket... I'm talking like $100 MINIMUM... I remember seeing his jacket, then realizing how cold I was in my hooded sweat jacket that was ready for an upgrade. When he asked me for change I told him 'no way' because I was a bit jealous that this bum had a better jacket than me. Of course, later I felt bad.... But then a few weeks later, here comes this bum again, with his jacket AND a brand new mountain bike! Alright, now I'm convinced there's something fishy going on here! Not too many days later, I was talking with a friend who worked at the coffee shop and she told me that the "bums" who all came here were not really bums at all! There was a group of five of them who all lived together in a house near-by and instead of working jobs like normal people, they all go out and beg for change, and stand out on the streets with "homeless" signs. She says one of the guys told her he makes on average $300 a day doing this!!! Talk about scam-artists! Since that day she told me all this I've NEVER looked at a bum the same...
Daywalker 8)
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There is a huge network of people doing this in my city...I figured out that they were scammers when I saw a well dressed, nicely manicured girl walking with a backpack while reading a book (reading and walking...on a street. haha..danger much?) She stopped at the corner next to a (also well dressed) young guy in a nice winter coat and new tennis shoes who was holding a homeless sign, put her book in her backpack and took the sign from the guy, flipping it over to reveal a different begging message. What was even fishier was that the sign was LAMINATED, I'm guessing to keep it from getting soggy in our rainy climate.
I've struggled with wether or not I should ever give money to such people, but I think I've decided that if I have some change, and I stop on a corner where one of them is standing, I will give them the money in Jesus name. :)
--- End quote ---
You can usually tell a true homeless person by offering them food instead of money. A real starving beggar would obviously be excited if you offered to purchase a sandwich for him, while a phony will offer some stupid reason for why don't want money. (and I speak from experience) Personally, I would never give money to any beggar because there's a chance he or she will waste it on booze or drugs (or even worse, they are one of these phonies). The last thing I'd want to do is support either of these habits. That's just me, though...
Linny:
We have to be very careful when always looking for a bad motive in hurting people. My husband ALWAYS gives when he has it to people who are in need. If we had more, he'd give more. He could care less what they use it for. That is between them and God. He gives with a sincere heart and with more compassion than anyone I know.
We've "wasted" money on much worse things than this. :( :-\
The church teaches not to help our brother's and sister's and Christians are the most leery of helping than anyone I know.
Actually heard one of the big ones say in the pulpit NOT TO HELP anyone because they would then credit you and not God. ONLY GIVE YOUR MONEY TO THE CHURCH and let them help. ::) >:(
gmik:
John, I love that scripture and have used it as a sword on many occassions back in my "faith-period" days.
To me, then, it meant NO WAY was I ever going to be hungry or not taken care of!!!
then I started thinking of MANY believers who indeed were hungry and starving to the point of death all around the world all the time since time began to now...
so it must have another meaning to it and not literal...that was one of the first stepping stones God used to bring me out of the faith message, then slowly out of the church world, then to Ray...
Linny, my husband is like that also...I need to run to catch up to his cheerful giving... ;)
I have a dear friend who was a missionary teacher in Guatamala for 4 years. It was a routine scam for people to run in front of a slow moving car and then pretend to get hurt...for a few American dollars they would not alert the authorities.. My friend would always want to pay as she felt they only did this as they were poor, but she was strongly urged NOT to pay them nor to get involved w/ the authorities either as they would take bribes.
Once, here in the US, I was teaching at the time, and knew of a student on free breakfasts and lunches, but was dropped off at school in a cadillac and always had the latest fad clothing!!
So sad to think of all the situations that put people into begging or scams of begging.
there but for the Grace of God go I.....
Duane:
I used to give money that I really "didn't have" to give away bt I felt sorry for the "begger". Later I learned from someone that the same "beggar" accepted a car ride from a generous person and was involved in an accident, sued, and won $20,000 which was in his savings account!
At the time I was unemployed and wish I was as "bad off" as the beggar.
Linny:
Completely second all of that Gena.
I, with much regret, see far too often people who love and trust in the Lord who are losing homes, jobs, loved ones and their faith and trust in God. My dear husband is also one of those. So much has happened to us in the past few years. It seems we never get a break and have lost so much. Our trials have been one factor in why he is so quick to help others which is the only blessing I have seen coming from it.
And I also agree that I wish I had the compassion and heart of my giving, non-judgmental husband. He is a treasure and such an example to me and to my children.
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