Daniels

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Eccle 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep

his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

12:14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret

thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.

Whirlwind

I do - but my friends always get mad at me. I come from the country where you don't see people sitting on street corners with their hands out. In the country, when someone holds their hands out to you, it really means that they need help.

"They're just going to buy beer with it!" They tell me.

So what? Alcoholics learn that the fastest way to recovery is by hitting rock bottom. Maybe this dollar that I give to this man will buy him the beer that'll make him hit rock bottom. When he's at rock bottom, maybe he'll discover his need for Jesus.

"They're going to rob you if they know you have money!"

Go ahead. Rob me. It isn't something that I can't replace. And here, while you're busy taking my wallet, here's my jacket, too. Oh, this watch my mom gave me for my birthday...you look like you need it more than me. And here's my shoes...

"They're never going to stand on their own feet if people keep on helping them..."

I read a story once about a man who couldn't stand on his own two feet until Someone I know well helped him out a little...

"They need to get a job just like you and me!"

I agree! But while they look, here's a dollar to help buy them a sandwich or something. Once I give it to them, it's theirs. I can't tell him what to do with it.

"Feeding the problem isn't going to make it go away!"

And starving a man isn't going to make it go away either. If he died tomorrow and my dollar could have helped him to live a little longer...that would make me feel all oogy inside.

"Yeah, but..."

Oh, it's my money! You worry about what's in your own wallet and let me give away mine if that's what I earned it for! Yeesh!

violet

---------------- Now playing: Kirk Franklin - Looking for You via FoxyTunes

Boanerges

I always pray and ask for wisdom. Sometimes God says yes and I give. Sometimes He says no or not now and I wait.
Having spent a few yers in an inner city ministry in the City of New Orleans I have learned that I must use discernment as the guy with the horns may send someone to depleat your resources and someone in true need may miss out.

Beloved

Agree with Larry more... Here in Vegas there are multitutes of pandhandlers ...

There are times I've given and reqreted it... I think we need disearnment...

There are many shelters here as well as food kitchens, as well as assistance in housing and job placement for the homeless...

However these services are rarely used especially job placement according to the local media which advises NEVER to give money to the homeless...

It just keeps them in a drug, alcoholic, or mental illness state...

It is also dangerous, 2 people I know have been assulted trying to help those who requested assistance...

Las Vegas is over running with jobs... Even if you are an alien and illeterite( yes I know it's spelled wrong)...

In Christ day I don't think beggars were begging because they gambled all their money, or were on drugs and alcohol like they are today...

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Shalom

( SHALOM says: Completeness, wholeness, health, peace, welfare, safety soundness, tranquility, prosperity, perfectness, fullness, rest, harmony, the absence of agitation or discord. )

Beloved
1 Corinthians 14:1 Let Love be your highest goal.

Beloved

However, I respect your view WW, and the others...

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Shalom

( SHALOM says: Completeness, wholeness, health, peace, welfare, safety soundness, tranquility, prosperity, perfectness, fullness, rest, harmony, the absence of agitation or discord. )

Beloved
1 Corinthians 14:1 Let Love be your highest goal.

adonaicole

I do, because I have compassion for them. I have never been robbed or had a regret for giving freely. "What you do for the least of my brethren, you do for me".

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Love one another, for that is pure, undefiled religion.

Don

KitsapGirl

No. My grandfather was a begger for a time. He was a lifelong alcoholic, and would promise my mom to not spend the $$ she gave him on alcohol. So he would stand outside of stores, and on street corners begging for money. He was very successful at it too.

The people who gave him money contributed to his disease. The disease eventually killed him.

Today, I will give someone coupons for a free meal, or a hygene kit, or whatever the Lord asks me to give, but NO money.

My greatest regret was telling him that I hated him. I was 16, and the kids at school teased me for his behavior. He died 2 weeks later...I never had the chance to tell him that I hated what he did, not him.

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adonaicole

Hebrews 13
2Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

I believe that I have entertained angels...

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Love one another, for that is pure, undefiled religion.

Don

thesuperjag

Personally it can varies in what situation...but we must need discernment of their fruits as well...I personally would rather give money & food to the poor people who truly needs help...not to those who rely on alcohol to live longer in the flesh, as drunkness will not inherit the kindom of God.

I Corinthians 6:9-10 - Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

Galatians 5:19-21 - Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

Quite frankly, look at this world today. Nobody really cares about the poor people, the orphans, the handicapped etc. Only if I have money to use that for YHWH in Yahshua's name.

Jag

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Put on the whole Armour of God... Breastplate of righteousness; Belt of Truth; Feet to spread the gospel; Helmet of Salvation; Shield of Faith; and the Sword of the Spirit...which is the word of God. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. ...that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (Eph. 6:11-12 + 14-17)