Street Bums Part II: Curb-Side Beggar

So, we’ve all seen “the man with the cardboard sign.” He is very likely unemployed or underemployed, and possibly even homeless – but shouldn’t he be looking for a job, not standing on a street corner? Also, there is the slight chance he’s just a weird smart-alleck with no need at all, who’s just trying to see how gullible people are. Regardless of who he really is or what his true needs are, here are some ideas on how you might help him:

1. DON’T say anything degrading to him. You do not what his story is, how he got where he is, or why he’s standing there. You should never assume the worst of someone.

2. DON’T give him money. A vast amount homeless people become homeless through drug addictions, and you don’t want to feed the addiction that has put this man where he is. Plus, begging reduces one’s self respect, and while it is humiliating at first, if they continue to receive easy money to use as they wish, they can become numb to their shame, and be content to live a life of idle begging.

3. DO try to meet their stated short-term need. Offer them some of the groceries you just purchased. Offer them a McDonald’s gift card. Buy them a meal. A thoughtful, meaningful, and useful gift can humble the hardened beggar, shame the one taking advantage of the gullible, and help a man work away from an addiction.

4. ALSO: It would be a good idea to learn the location of some of the local services and shelters for the homeless – John 3:16, Salvation Army, or even a church involved in local outreach and care – so that you can direct them to a place where there long-term needs can be better met.

Street Bums Part I: Should You Help?

He stands on the corner of the street with a cardboard sign as you drive up to the light. He passes you on the sidewalk and asks for spare change. He approaches you at a bus stop and offers to sell you a random item. Should you help him?

That’s one of the first questions that flashes through our minds – should I help this guy? Is he really in need or just trying to make easy money off of hurried drivers? Is he trying to keep from starving, or just trying to get high? Is he making ends meet off of stuff he no longer needs, or hawking stolen goods? Does he really need my help?

Unfortunately, we start with the wrong question. We should not ask ourselves “Should I help this guy,” but “How can I help this guy.” We are to love our neighbors as ourselves. We are to do to others as we would have them do to ourselves. And we are to let our light shine before others that they may see our good works and give glory to God. When John questioned whether Jesus was the Christ, Jesus gave him six signs of his authenticity in order of significance, climaxing with "the poor have good news preached to them.” According to James, “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction , and to keep oneself unstained by the world.” We have an unquestionable calling to assist our fellow man in his time of need.

So, going back to our man. How can we help him? There is still numerous and overwhelming doubts looming in your minds: “He may just be too lazy to work.” “He may just be supporting an addiction.” “He may be a thief and a swindler.” Granted. All of those may be true. I will do my best to address each of the hypothetical (yet very real) situations one at a time in future blog posts.

You Lie, I Lie. Deal?

I got out of class about 7:20 on Wednesday the 4th of November, 2009. On my way to the downtown bus station I met a man walking the opposite way. He said he was trying to catch a bus to Broken Arrow and asked if I could give him "some dollars." As it so happens, I was headed to the Broken Arrow area myself, and knew:
1) The best bus you could get after 7:00 from downtown only goes as far as the Woodland Hills Mall (several miles north-east of BA).
2) Bus fare is only $1.50, not several dollars.
3) He was headed away from the bus station.

Nevertheless, I like to give people the benefit of the doubt, and told him I was going to the bus station myself, and offered to pay for his fare at the bus. However, he refused to go with me, but just asked for the change. I finally agreed to give him $1.50 for bus fare (once I've offered someone money I'm hesitant to take it back - I'm not a big fan of finding out who is carrying what kinds of weapons and attitudes).

Then when I pulled out my coin purse and started counting out the quarters, he asked if he could have $3 because he wanted to by groceries as well. I told him I only had $3 with me and needed to pay for my own bus fare.

This was not actually true - I had about $3 in change, and a $5 bill in my wallet, but I was not planning to break the five which was supposed to be extra in case of an emergency (or someone with an honest need).

He asked if he could have $2 then, and I pointed out that once I gave him $1.50 out of my $3 I needed all the rest for my own bus fare. He persisted, and I simply said I couldn't give him something I didn't have. He gave up, and we each went our seperate ways -me to the bus station and him to his booze or crack or meth or whatever I had just given him $1.50 for.

As it turned out, I didn't have quite as much change as I thought, and ended up having to break my five anyway.