By Vernalee
All of you have probably seen or been confronted on the streets by individuals asking for money and assistance. What do you do when they ask? Do you give, ignore, or pretend that they are not there? Do you question their legitimacy? While at a McDonald’s drive through window, I saw a young man soliciting help who was an old family friend. OMG! My heart started to bleed! He had fallen on hard times. Life happens; bad circumstances can befall anyone! I remember on another occasion, I was riding with a friend and a gentleman had a sign that read, “I need food.” Of course, I was touched, but my friend said. “ We aren’t giving any money!” Instead, he drove to a nearby fast food restaurant and brought back a sandwich and gave it to the gentleman. There is no easy answer. There is also an element of danger when you let your car window down. Safety and good judgment always come first. So here again, what path, if any, should we take? We were taught - “It’s better to give than receive.” A look at the need and not the person is the best view to have as the saving grace is compassion. How shall you contribute?
Maybe, your assistance can be a charitable donation. Perhaps, you may desire to allocate your resources to a worthy cause or organization. Clothing donations, volunteering, meal preparations in homeless shelters, and canned goods giveaways are avenues to help. There as so many ways (that are environmentally safe) to help. As Matthew 25:40 says “… Whatever you did for the least …. you did for me.” Photo credit: www.indybay.org
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