A Biblical Response to Panhandlers

For those of you new to Free Money Finance, I post on The Bible and Money every Sunday. Here's why.

Consider this situation:

Timmerman recalled a young man who said he needed to get a bus ticket to North Carolina, where his brother had just died.

"You never know whether it's a real need or not," she said.

Not to keep you in suspense, here's how this lady handled the question:

She told him no to the money, but told him about dialing 211, a catch-all number for the United Way. Then she offered to pray.

The situation above is one that most of us have had to face at one time. We've discussed the issue before here at Free Money Finance and most people were against helping out panhandlers. But what's the proper biblical response to panhandlers when you consider scripture's command to help the poor? This piece attempts to address this issue and comes up with this solution:

The Rev. Dallas Lenear, executive pastor of New Hope Baptist Church, uses Jesus as his template.

"I don't recall a single time where Jesus helped someone who was drunk," he said. "He helped people who couldn't help themselves. He helped the lame, helped the blind, helped feed those who couldn't feed themselves.

"But Jesus was full of grace and truth and we have to try to discern when should grace be applied and when truth is the better medicine," Lenear continued. "If someone is hurting because of something beyond their control, you apply grace and if they're hurting because of destructive behavior, you apply truth as the better medicine."

Ok, so what does that mean exactly? What should I do if presented with this situation? We'll start with what experts suggest:

Experts say don't give money. Experts at dealing with the poor are adamant that a compassionate responder addresses the person's need but avoids giving money in almost every situation.

"Don't ever give money to panhandlers under any circumstances. The bulk of the people are going to use it for drugs or alcohol," said Don Tack, founder and executive director of Servants Center, an organization that reaches out to those who are homeless and mentally ill.

He rattled off a list of places where the hungry can get a square meal, and he advised anyone who is likely to be panhandled to have that list memorized, too.

In other words, one option is to send them to a place where they can get food.

Here's another solution -- giving them food:

She offers a McDonald's coupon for food, and offers them prayers for their situation.

Another option is to decline individual requests but to give to or volunteer for charities that help feed the poor.

My personal belief is that directing people to a place to find food or giving/buying them some food is the proper response. But I don't come in contact with panhandlers on a regular basis, so we focus our efforts on giving to organizations that help the needy

How about you? What do you think the proper biblical response is to panhandlers?

Comments

[James]

This is such a complictated matter! I used to think that giving money was a really terrible idea, but I've come around in my thinking. As I understand it, the Bible tells us to give pretty much unconditionally. I'm not an expert, but I don't recall anywhere it says "use discernment in giving," or "don't give if the person is a drunk." My understanding is that we are just to give--when we can, whatever we can--and that it's an imperative.

I understand that on a human level, we don't want our money to be used for alcohol or drugs, but who just carries around food or gift certificates? And should we really refer them to McDonald's. I know it's cheap, but maybe a grocery store would be more appropriate.

It's a tough situation, because most times when I give to homeless people, it's spontaneous. Also, since many homeless people are desperate or have mental problems, it could be dangerous to pray with them, although I agree with the premise.

Sorry I'm all over the place, but there's just SO much to say on the topic.

[Anne]

My own experiences lead me to agree with Reverend Lenear.

There are many ways to give. Bigger cities have programs to help the homeless, and these programs are often short on funds. Giving to them ensures the best possible outcome for homeless individuals seeking help.

These programs are specifically structured to not only provide a meal, but to assist the individual in achieving steady income and a home of their own. Statistics indicate that those who complete these programs DO, in fact, abandon homelessness forever. Many others, however, are unwilling to follow the mandates of the programs and do their part toward achieving self-sufficiency.

I live in the downtown area of one of the largest U.S. cities, and I'm frequently asked for money.

One man in particular appears every month or so with an empty gas can, and stands by a car asking for money for gas. The problem is the cars outside my building belong to the residents. It's not his car, and he doesn't need gas. I never give him money.

Another man shows up infrequently and asks if he can do any work for us. He'll gladly wash our windows or sweep our sidewalk. We're happy to pay him for his services. I have no way of knowing what he does with the money, but his willingness to work in exchange speaks volumes.

At other times we've been asked for money for food, and we've told the individual that if they'll wait a few minutes, we'll bring them a sandwich and a drink. Sometimes the person is very appreciative and accepts the food. Sometimes the person has disappeared by the time we get back outside.

The phrase, "God helps those who help themselves" is not from scripture, but there is some truth to the sentiment. There is only so much change we can experience in life if we are unwilling to take a few steps of our own.

[guinness416]

So the correct christian response to the guy who rips you off for $20,000 of a construction deposit was to let him walk away with it (in an April post), but the correct christian response to the guy who may or may not want a couple of bucks for food/coffee is to ignore him? How do we know the construction guy didn't spend your money on drugs or booze, or do the same thing to the next person he encountered? Because he smells better?

[dollar incense]

I dont about a Biblically appropriate response....

But when confronted by a panhandler (as long as it isnt a confrontational situation), I feel its most important to simply acknowledge the person as a human being. I live in a city with a huge homeless population and many, many people simple wont look at someone asking them for money or food. Its dehumanizing to the panhandler and so sad to see.

I try to give my money/time from the head and not from the heart - meaning I dont give money to panhandlers, I give to organizations providing services to the homeless.

But when asked by a panhandler I usually look them in the eye and say I cant help, but smile and tell them to have a good day.

[Paula]

I go by each situation and try to use my best judgment. I know there are people who use the money for drugs, but as someone who used to work with the homeless and mentally ill, I know there are times where there are not enough resources to help everyone.

There are also times when someone just needs a little help. I know when I was a poor single mom trying to move to a better life and my car broke down, someone helped me and saved me and my daughter. When a woman approached me in a parking lot with a daughter trying to get a little money for gas, I helped her with a few dollars. I try not to make judgment calls but if I feel threatened or that the person is obvious scamming (like the guy with a gas can) I pass.

I might be getting scammed, but the few dollars I give are from the heart. People are responsible for their own salvation, me for how I act and those I help for how they act.

[WiseMoneyMatters]

2 Thessalonians 3:10 "For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: 'If a man will not work, he shall not eat.'"

This definitely speaks to the thought of not just giving a person money. Working at a church, I get people coming in off the street all of the time asking for money. I've had some that asked for money because they are hungry. When we refuse them money and offer them food instead they say "No thank you, I just want some money" and walk out. Sorry, but I'm not going to help those people.

Then we've had those that first asked where they could find a job. We help them find a job and then help them with 1 months rent and utilities until their first paycheck. They obviously are making efforts towards making their life better.

[Rick]

@James (1st comment): I disagree with you when you say we are to give without discernment. The Bible says "Give to the needy." I think implicit in that command is that we are supposed to give to the *needy*, as opposed to the no-so-needy. If you disagree, why don't you give money to me? I accept PayPal donations. No, rather we are supposed to give to those who need it. I certainly don't think if you accidentally give money to someone who uses the money on beer, that you will be faulted for that. But I do think you can do your best to give to those who will actually benefit from your gift.

Jesus did not have a lot of (or any) money. So you do not find in the Bible where Jesus helped the needy by giving them money. Rather, He met their needs in the way he could. He offered the woman at the well "living water." He offered healing to the sick. He offered salvation to the unsaved. In general, Jesus met the people where they were and offered what He did have to meet their needs. He developed relationships with them.

And so I think if someone were drunk, the correct response would not be to throw money their way, but to talk with them. Relate to them. Encourage them towards the "right way." If necessary, maybe you can buy them food or drink. Maybe you can send them to an AA meeting. Maybe you can accompany them to the meeting so they don't feel uncomfortable. In any case, I think the correct response is more than just throwing money their way indiscernably, but to meet their needs.

@Guiness416: The response to your post is pretty much the same thing. Jesus said to forgive those who hurt us. So yes, the correct response to someone bilking us of $20K is to forgive them and write it off. But likewise, the correct response to the drunk is not just to ignore them, but to meet their needs in the manner described at the beginning of my comment. I know it's hard to comprehend, but when we love others more than ourselves, losing $20K isn't so much, as it is an opportunity to serve and love others and mayeb share God's Love with them.

[Matthew]

The comments on this post just gave me a good idea. I think grocery stores ought to sell gift certificates or cards or whatever that can't be used for "vices" (i.e., alcohol, cigarettes, lottery tickets) but can be used for anything else in the store. I know that I, for one, would make an effort to carry about $20-50 with me at any time and would love to give them to people with signs saying they are hunhgry. I imagine churches and other agencies who don't have food pantries, but do have discretionary funds for giving to the needy would also like to have some on hand.
There you go, grocery stores, instantly another $50 / week. Ok, maybe it isn't the biggest amount of revenue, but I bet it would be worth more goodwill for the store than a lot of things they do.

[FMF]

Guinness --

I think you're confusing me with a guest poster/commenter.

[Mama Sweet]

In Oklahoma City, we have a group call the Homeless Alliance who works with agencies that serve the needy. They make sure standards are met in shelters, soup kitchens, etc.
They have recently come up with a program called Real Change (not spare change.)
For $5 I can buy a book of 5 vouchers that will let the homeless take the bus to a shelter free of charge. There they can receive a meal, a place to stay and help with things like finding a job, getting counseling, etc.

It's a great way to help people get the help they need without enabling those who might be abusing the generosity.

[Jeremy]

I live near a very busy intersection where a homeless gentleman stands with a sign asking for money. I see him nearly everyday.

I also see him leaving the corner, going to the liquor store on the opposite corner and buying a bottle of booze when he has accumulated enough money to buy what he wants.

I'm guessing that a lot of these people don't want to be "helped". When they do there are many options in the city I live in that are well funded.

I definitely don't want to enable destructive behavior just so I don't feel bad about telling someone "no". i.e. give them a dollar so you don't feel bad.

[Travis]

Hey FMF I've been away for awhile starting my own blog, but I can't say this enough. Keep doing what you do, and I can't tell you how much respect I have for you because you have the integrity to post on the bible and money each week and not let society and the general public steer you away from it.

To Your Success, Travis

[AdamCO]

===========================
The Rev. Dallas Lenear, executive pastor of New Hope Baptist Church, uses Jesus as his template.

"I don't recall a single time where Jesus helped someone who was drunk," he said. "He helped people who couldn't help themselves. He helped the lame, helped the blind, helped feed those who couldn't feed themselves.

"But Jesus was full of grace and truth and we have to try to discern when should grace be applied and when truth is the better medicine," Lenear continued. "If someone is hurting because of something beyond their control, you apply grace and if they're hurting because of destructive behavior, you apply truth as the better medicine."
==========================

What a pile that is. This is clearly a case where the good Rev. already knew the answer he wanted and he crafted his argument to support his foregone conclusion.

Alcoholic bums don't need "the truth," they need help. Sometimes that help may be a couple of bucks, sometimes it might be a sandwich. What they don't need is a poorly-crafted excuse to ignore them.

[James]

I love the idea of the program that Mama Sweet talks about. I think these are the types of programs that are really needed. Even if you give to someone who will use it for food, or you actually give food, you aren't changing their situation. You might be helping them survive another day, but have you really improved their life? I think it falls under the "teach a man to fish" lesson. Don't just give them money or food, but help them find a way to learn how to get out of their current situation and EARN for themselves.

On a side note, I remember hearing a news story as a kid about people who would actually made a living by panhandling. They would stand on a busy street corner and beg for money all day like it was their job. Then, at the end of the day, they would walk over to their car and drive home. Sad if it is true.

[JB]

It's great to give money and time to charities that help the homeless. It's great to give food and show concern for panhandlers that approach you. It's great to give out gift certificates. But these situations aren't usually that well thought out.

It's usually something like this: You are on a business trip and you are walking from dinner back to your hotel. A man is walking the opposite direction and says "can you spare a dollar".

You are with your wife walking back to the car after a show at the theater. A man you pass on the corner says "can you spare a dollar".

You are driving with your kids and pull up to a busy intersection. A man is holding a sign that says "out of work. Need help".

You have a good job, nice home, nice wife, nice family, nice car, relatively high net worth, little or shrinking debt, above average intelligence, living in the most free and prosperous nation on the face of the earth. Do you have a dollar?

[Bad_Brad]

My response is that I will never give a beggar money, because I have no idea what they are going to do with it (in many cases, it will go right to the liquor store or worse, the local drug dealer). However, I do mention that I am a Christian and as such, I will never walk away from an opportunity to help another human being in need. I tell the beggar that if he/she follows me, when I come to the time when I eat, I will provide food. A homeless guy ate dinner with myself and four of my friends one evening because of this. At first, the look on my friends' faces was one of terror and confusion, but as the meal went on, and they opened up to the homeless man, they found out that he was nothing more than an individual who had made a few poor choices and fallen on some hard times. I think it was an eye-opener for them (and for me).

[DivaJean]

I hate it when personal finance discussion turns to whether or not we deem people worthy of our help.

When my job was downtown, there was a guy in a wheelchair outside the doughnut shop everyday, panhandling. He had both legs amputated and was a vet. In talking with him, its clear he has limited mental ability and probably drinks. I gave him information about my church's food pantry and free clothing closet (to which I contribute regularly) and bought him a sandwich and coffee maybe twice a month.

Was my money wasted? No. I know I fed and kept warm from the coffee at least) another of my brothers. And that is the only way I choose to look at it.

[Wanting To Please Christ the More]

Lord, give us the wisdom and knowledge through discernment to give to the needy,not just natural needs but spiritual needs too; and help us to pray for the saving of the souls of the seedy. Pray that their hearts will be softened to hear the cry of one of Your soldiers(Christians) crying in the wilderness Repent and Receive the Lord Jesus Christ in the pardoning of their sins! Lord those who need us, help us to see their need and be ready to meet it. Lead us Lord Jesus that we not go astray. In Jesus' Name. Amen

Thank you for this site and every posting. This is my first time here, but I will be returning.