Leonidus

Do we have to consider anything before donating money?

There are people who live in the street, they have no money and they ask for money from the pedestrians. There are street people who beg for money to live to cover up their daily living cost and also I have been told that there are street people who beg for money to live but they actually spend that money to do drugs (illegal stuff).

So when I donate money I kind of look at the person and in my mind I question weather this man asking money to eat or to do drugs. Basically I’m in confusion. because I don’t want some one spending my money to do drugs.

When we donate should we consider:
1. Weather the person going to spend it drugs/ alcohol or actually on food?
2. Weather the person is genuinely begin for money?

If a person who begs for money has perfect healthy body, should I donate money to him? I asked this question because if he is healthy then he can find a job, at least labor work

If I consider those questions would I be committing a sin?

violet

Boanerges

Of course not all these questions are valid and point to a God given sense of responsibility. I don't generally give money to beggars but by them food instead.
The key is pray and be led of the Spirit in your giving as with all else. He will give you an answer - generally a deep down " gut" feeling to lead you in the proper response.
One more thing, I see Jesus in your hearts desire to give, encorage and love- keep it up- many blessings, Larry.

Whirlwind

It's great to donate...but beware!

There was a story on the news before Christmas that a man donated a hideous sum of money to the Salvation Army because he wanted to be known as the man who made the biggest donation ever.

According to the Word, he has received his reward.

When you donate to any cause, whether on a personal or on a organizational level, I think it's only Christian to do it secretly. Don't let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Don't stand on the street and proclaim to everybody around you that you're donated this amount to this homeless person.

Slip the money to whoever you're giving to. Make it a secret. Don't ever tell anybody. Don't take credit. Do it only with kindness in your heart - if you're feeling pressured to donate or feel as if you can't afford it...then don't. If you feel those ways, the gift isn't being given with joy.

I love to donate! Makes me feel good inside. But I'm not going to run an ad in the paper at the end of the year declaring how much I've given. I'm never going to put the amount I've donated on my taxes.

This way, our rewards build up in heaven.

Also, once I give that money to someone else, it's no longer mine. I've released it completely. They're free to do whatever they want with it. Whether that's buying alcohol (which would be a gruesome assumption on my part) or buying a hot meal. The blessing that I pass on to them can be a tool in their own lives for giving thanks to our Lord.

God bless you. I wish you the happiest new year yet!

Housesitter

I try to offer to buy them some food. I sometimes ask them what food they would like me to buy for them. Then I know that the money the Lord entrusted to me has been used wisely.
There have been times when a begger who claimed to be hungry refused my offer of food saying they wanted money. I refused to give them any as a hungry person would not refuse a gift of food.

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Ray
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Rumely

It is only good stewardship to want to know how our donated money will be spent. I think, for instance, that offering to buy food for a beggar is a good idea not only ensuring that the beggar is indeed fed, but also removes the tempation, having cash in hand, for them to buy drugs or otherwise spend it unwisely. Why, after all, should we spend God's money to enable someone's poor decisions? Or waste it on professional beggars who aren't needy at all?

I like to give to programs and organizations such as the Union Gospel Mission, Salvation Army, child sponsorship programs, etc. because I know they work with those I wish to help on a daily basis. They offer food and shelter and various programs that I know will improve the lives of the needy. Direct donations to individuals, for me, have been almost exclusively giving away specific items, rather than sums of cash.

Banarenth

This is a complicated issue. There are those that will use your sympathy to manipulate. The Bible really doesn't say to NOT let them do that, because I'm sure even back then, it was happening.

However, if you give money to someone, and they buy drugs and later become ill and die, or crazy and kill someone else, aren't the people that gave them the money at least partially responsible for those actions? I think it's better to buy them food or something. Or donate to REAL charities that have good accountability and do the right work. Or better yet, put this all back in the hands of the church like it should be.

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adonaicole

Exactly, I give as I feel led. I don't worry about what they going to do with the money, because if God has led me to give to that person, what more do I need to know?

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

Don

Whirlwind

Thanks, Adon...exactly.

I don't want to give myself any reasons for being greedy or selfish. I can't give a homeless man twenty bucks and then follow him around for the rest of the day to see what he spends that money on. And I can't assume that he's going to get drunk with the money, or I won't be giving out of the kindness of my heart.

What if Jesus came to earth as a homeless man? Just to see what happened. What if he held out his hand to me in need. What if I shook my head no because I thought he was just trying to gather the funds to get drunk on?

In my own mind, I want to be more like the man lying on the streets having his sores licked by dogs rather than the rich man burning in hell and begging for a drop of water on his tongue.

That's just my own thinking, the way I see it.

Everybody, have a great new year! Be safe! Peace! Love!

Banarenth

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

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