Yesterday when I stopped for gas, I was panhandled.
Does this ever happen to you? I know when you live or work downtown, panhandling is just a part of life. But, I live in a small town. I don't encounter homeless people. I don't get panhandled. This isn't something I'm used to.
I stopped for gas in an area that I don't normally stop. I was by myself. An overweight Native American man came up to me while I was outside my car pumping gas. He smelled of beer and cigarettes and body odor. His hair was long and greasy and unclean. He had very few teeth. I was instantly extremely uncomfortable.
'Scuse me, Ma'am. Could you spare some change?
I said what came to my mind first. My first instinct. No. I'm sorry I don't.
And that was it. He moved on down the sidewalk.
I was bothered by this the rest of the day. Why did I turn him down? Sure, I had spare change. I could have gotten my purse from the front seat and given him money. Why didn't I? I don't know. Maybe I turned him down because I didn't feel safe. I was by myself. I didn't know what he would do if I got out my purse. Would he snatch it and run? Maybe I turned him down because I knew he'd go buy alcohol with it. Maybe.
But I have to be honest with myself. I have to truly say I turned him down because I didn't want to be bothered. He was unpleasant to look at, to smell, to think about, to be bothered by. I turned him down because I wanted him to go away. That's hard to say out loud. It made me feel ashamed and guilty.
We call ourselves Christians. So, what is our obligation to homeless people? People that panhandle on the streets? We're supposed to help the poor. Have you read Matthew 25:35-36? Jesus told his disciples that when they feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, provide shelter for the homeless, clothe the naked, nurse the sick, and visit the imprisoned, they are actually doing these things for Him. Think about that! We're serving Jesus when we help the poor.
I remember recently we had a sermon at church about helping the poor and serving the needy. The fact that has stuck in my mind is what our pastor said - The Bible contains more than 300 verses on the poor, and God's deep concern for them. Wow - 300 verses!
Maybe if I had given this guy $5, I would have felt less guilty, but would I have helped him? Probably not. He already smelled of alcohol. Chances are he would have taken that money to buy more beer. So what do we do?
I have a friend that had business cards printed up that list every location nearby where someone can receive food or help. When she gets panhandled, she gives the person one of these cards and prays for them. I once saw someone downtown hand out McDonald's meals and coupons to the homeless. There's a group at our church that volunteers at local soup kitchens and food pantries. These are all great ideas.
So maybe I dismissed the homeless man that approached me at the gas station. And maybe you could argue that I was right in not giving him money. But that homeless man reminded me that I need to reflect Christ's love to those in need. Even unpleasant unclean people. That man is a child of God just like me. He's a sinner in need of redemption just like me. I need to be in prayer for him and people like him.
And this man reminded me that I need to find ways to give of my time and/or money to those services that help the needy.
Because that is what Christ has asked of me.
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4 comments:
Great post. This is why I've become a faithful reader of your blog! First the Shack, and now this. LOL.
Well, I guess I would add that Jesus chose to help those who COULDN'T help themselves. I think that's where political lines are drawn these days. Are people CHOOSING not to help themselves and accepting help (in the form of social programs - i.e. handouts)? Of course there will always be abusers of the system I suppose. But that should not stop us from as you say, fufilling our obligation as Christians (and fellow human beings!) and helping the needy... the truly needy. Sadly our American streets of full of truly needy.
I appreciate your honesty when you say you didn't help this man because wanted him to 'go away.' Sadly, a lot of us would choose the same faced with the same situation. But now maybe we'll think about what we COULD and SHOULD do to help.
Thanks for another thought-provoking post.
Di, thanks for writing what we often feel when faced with panhandling. I remember walking down a street in Santa Cruz and being asked for $5.00 by a panhandler. My reaction was as yours. My first knee jerk reaction was to say "no, sorry". But my heart was softend when the response was "God bless you". Why didn't I go back? Well? I'd have to make a fool of myself to turn around to reconsider. Anyway, I wasn't sure what his reaction would be. Would he hurt me? Grab my purse and run away? We're taught to not speak to strangers, especially those who are dirty and smelly and suspicious looking. A woman alone? She SHOULD be careful.
But there's always that pull at our heart and the scripture that tells us that as we feed the least of these we are feeding Him. That by taking in strangers we are intertaining angels some times. What can we do in today's world.
We can give in safe ways. We can give our Thanksgiving or Christmas days to serve at the centers in our towns that feeds the hungry. We can do it on days that are not holidays too. We can give in safter ways.
Thank you for another thought provoking post. Good job!
Love, Mary
It's always interesting too that Jesus never qualifies his "love" statements with "only if they look like you, smell like you, dress like you, etc."
Who cares if he buys alcohol...really? That's not our business. Our business is first and foremost OBEDIENCE. We are to...without question, without regard, without judgment, be obedient. Jesus asks us for obedience...it's not a lot to ask...for all he's done.
I won't share what I do...as I don't want to be rewarded in secret!! :)
Howdy ma'am!
Been busy doing that wedding stuff and haven't made any visits the past couple of days. Now I gotta read back through a couple of posts to get caught up here! tsk tsk! LOL!
I've been in similar situations with people in need. My response has always been to inquire of the need. If they say "I need money to buy food.." then I offer food. (Some have rejected the offer, but some have gladly accepted it and we went into a nearby restaurant!)
If they need something for their family - diapers, formula, etc.. then I give that. I want to meet the physical NEED without enabling them to spend cash unwisely on things that would do them further harm.
Jesus met physical NEEDS, in order to have the opportunity to address their spiritual needs. That's a very good example to follow.
Your final comments were very interesting - "...I need to reflect Christ's love to those in need. Even unpleasant unclean people. That man is a child of God just like me. He's a sinner in need of redemption just like me. "
It reminded me of when my beloved nannie died and there was some conversation about the BEAUTIFUL clothing she was dressed in, in the casket. My mama said "our finest clothing is as filthy rags compared to our attire in heaven!"
So true! Our finest here, is rubbish! We are all dirty, wretched, poor, unrightous - unless covered and clothed in the rightousness of Christ!
Amen! :)
Be good! See ya again soon! (In between the multi wedding searches I am assigned!)
L
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