What About Beggars? What should Christians do?

by

Anthony Valasek

Fairly recently, a man asked me a question that I thought was very good. Here was his inquiry.

"What should we as Christians do when someone who is Homeless comes up to us on the street and asks for money? For example: A man came up to me at the gas station and asked for money so he could go over to McDonalds and get some food. He had nice clothes on and was smoking. I thought to myself if he can afford to get cigarettes then he should be able to afford to get some food or give up smoking so he can. I told him that I didn't have any money and that I couldn't help. I think that if someone is healthy enough to walk around and beg for money then they are healthy enough to get a job. Is this wrong? What should we as Christians do in a situation like this?"

I think every one of us have been in this situation or have at least thought about it to some extent. This is one of those debates that has the house divided. Some think they should give the money, others think that they should tell the person to "pound salt."

What do I think? Here is what I believe drives opinion #2;
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." 11 We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies.

I personally think that these verses don't apply to everybody, but it does apply to Christians. We have to remember that Paul is speaking to the Christian community, not everybody in the city. If the person in question claims to be a Christian, they need to find a job, but at the same time helping someone get on their feet is not a bad way to go, but how? We certainly don't want to support any possible smoking or drinking habits either.

First we need to understand what the person really needs. Spiritual help!
Acts 3:1 One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer--at three in the afternoon. 2 Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. 4 Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, "Look at us!" 5 So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. 6 Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." 7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong.

You can see that Peter didn't turn a "blind eye" to the person in need, but gave him what he needed, not what the lame man thought he needed. Also, keep in mind that this person was not previously a Christian.

Below is what I believe drives opinion #1.
Acts 4:34 There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.

As Christians, we need to be able to discern with the help of God, what the person needs. Some people really do need some food. If that is what they need, feed them. I would suggest taking them to McDonalds, Burger King, etc. and feed them. This should provide ample time to share with them what they really need, "Christ, the living Word of God." I don't think a person who is truly hungry will listen to the gospel with any sincerity. If that person truly is a Christian, they should be reminded of Paul's teachings. In my opinion there is a world of difference between help and handouts. Widows and orphans, are the most needy for physical needs. They are the ones who will have the hardest time "getting a job." However, everybody needs spiritual help, myself included.

In summary, we are not wrong in thinking that a physically, mentally healthy person should be able to find something to do besides beg. This may sound hard to believe, if not contradictory, but pride is something that stands in the way of these people obtaining jobs. They simply won't accept a minimal position at a fast food chain, they wan't to be the CEO of Microsoft or nothing (exaggeration obviously). I have a family, and if I were to lose my job, I wouldn't hesitate going to a fast food chain or some department store. One of the problems is that , most of the time, they make more on the street than by working. However, we can help and still be good stewards of the material wealth that we are given by God. If they are really hungry, they won't turn you down or tell you something like, "I'll go buy it myself, just give me the money." I won't say never, but I think you should almost never give a beggar money.

Of course, you will find other opinions in the Christian community, and I encourage you to compare them.