What Do You Do At a Stop Light?

January 27, 2006

We’ve got a LIFE group (midweek Bible study, home group-type thing) that meets at our house once a week. We’re going through the book of James and last night we happened to be in Chapter 2. We got on the subject of giving money to the poor which led into a specific discussion about people who ask for money on the street.

Personally, I’m always conflicted when I’m at a red light and there’s someone standing outside my car window holding a sign asking for money. I generally don’t give any, not because I’m against the notion of giving money to someone who needs it, but because I wonder what my money will actually be spent on. If I was certain it would be spent on essentials like food or clothing, for example, I’d feel fine about it. But I’m not cool with it being used on cigarettes, alcohol or something else of that nature.

So, what’s my solution? I think I’m going to pick up some gift certificates at McDonald’s or some other popular fast-food restaurant(s) in our area and keep them in my glove compartment. Then, the next time I encounter someone asking for cash, I’ll hand over enough gift certificates for a few hot meals instead.

Category: Life

Comments

11 Responses to “What Do You Do At a Stop Light?”

  1. Elena
    January 27th, 2006 @ 2:59 pm

    Wow. Thank you for a great suggestion! I always want to help, but in most situations, I’m afraid cash would do more harm than good.

  2. peggy
    January 27th, 2006 @ 6:56 pm

    i have struggled with this too. but i realized that it’s not what he does with it, but the motivation in my giving. i don’t usually have the money to give, but if i do, i will. it is such a wierd problem. i’ve tried to help people who don’t want it, and passed people who really need it. but i have to answer to the lord for my actions and the other person does too.the gift cards are a good idea. i have a friend who buys granola bars and that kind of stuff and puts it in a baggie with a mission card and tract.her kids love making these up. same result. in portland it’s a huge problem, but it still boils down to our heart condition…

  3. Laur
    January 28th, 2006 @ 12:20 am

    another good thing to do is have food - like granola bars, etc - in the car ready to be handed out. :)

  4. Maiju
    January 28th, 2006 @ 10:41 am

    what a good idea! We don’t have that problem here in Finland. At least not here where I live. But when I travel this problem comes to me many times. I’ve decided that i don’t give money. I give money for poor only through organisations that help develop poor communities. We have a sponsor child through Plan etc.

    Once in Israel an arab girl aged about 5 asked me money. I didn’t give but fortunately I had a sticker to hand her. She already gave me toung because i said no but i was able to smile back at her and hand the sticker. Hopefully she felt my love for her.

    Anyway we should find the ways to help the poor! It can be done in various ways.

  5. Crissa
    January 28th, 2006 @ 2:47 pm

    Its a great idea also. Bottles of water and granola bars works best. The certificates they can sell off and then spend the money on what they want. We actually have one person here that has a sign that says “I wont Lie, I need it for Liqour” My fiance says well atleast he’s honest. He actually wont accept anything but cash. We’ve tried giving him hamburgers from Mcdonalds and what not. Very sad situation.

  6. Jennifer Gray
    January 28th, 2006 @ 8:07 pm

    I like the idea of the certificates, but I agree with the PP that they could be traded for non-food related items. Bottles of water, granola bars or protein bars are a great idea, or fresh produce. I’ve found the homeless mostly appreciate a kind word and a smile, don’t talk down to them and they will treat you nicely. I do my best to always have at least a smile for them.

  7. loriann
    February 1st, 2006 @ 11:03 am

    I agree with Peggy(Im in Portland too)’
    I struggle with this and my husband pointed out that it is Gods money, what they choose to do with it is in their hands,I make rotten choices with my money too sometimes.
    I think that a smile and dignity is also a good thing.
    I think that this is something that we will struggle with for years to come.

  8. Andrea
    February 7th, 2006 @ 1:03 pm

    A friend of ours decided he would put together little care packages and keep them in his car. You could put a variety of things inside that are fairly inexpensive: a pair of socks, travel razor, shaving creme, some snacks, etc. for women you could toss in sanitary supplies. Having the supplies we need is definitely something we take for granted…

  9. Kara Deal
    March 6th, 2006 @ 5:31 pm

    I know it’s been said already… but here I am saying it again. Jesus asked us to give. That’s our call to ministry. not to wonder or assume where the money or gift certificates or granola bars are going to “go.” HE just simply asked us to give. So if it’s money… you have some, they don’t… give. If it’s food… you just bought some/have some, they don’t… give.

    Anything you give them, they can sell and get cash for from someone. where there is a will there is a way… that goes for evil too. If you want to be decietful, you can always find a way. We are not responsible for their actions. We can minister to their hearts and talk to them. Listen to their stories. Tell them ours. But Jesus asked us to give.

    If you have it, and they need it. Give.

  10. Amy
    March 8th, 2006 @ 2:24 pm

    Great comments guys. And some good thought-provoking ideas as well.

  11. alona myers
    May 31st, 2006 @ 2:38 am

    Not to sound unspritual or anything but I used to work evenings in a bad neighborhood, and I had some middle aged guy approach my car pound on the glass and demand money in very angry tones. It was 2am and I was driving home from work alone. Now I love Jesus as much as anyone but he would have had to show up in person and open the car window himself at that point before that guy got anything from me except tire tred. I was in tukey on a missions trip and a young street kid came up to us to beg. We were 2 American female foriegners eating lunch at an out door vendor. We were told not to give money to any one because this was one of the big scams the street people cheated the tourist with, the kids are just bait and /or pick pockets. He asked in turkish and when we didn’t understand he asked in english. When we refused and before we could negociate the store owner (a tukish male) came out and back handed the kid across the face. The kid ran off and we felt bad. We didn’t stick around to long either. The shop keep went back to doing his thing as if he had just either swated a fly, or finish the lucheon show and wanted to get ready for the dinner act. In both cases the beggers “need” was money mine was a feeling of personal security. The bible tells us to be both led by the spirit and wise about the world we live in. When Jesus and the disciples delt with beggers they gave them miraculas healing never money. The poor are suposed to have the gospel preached to them. The brother (sisters) in need are the ones who are finacially supported. I think there is a world of difference between throwing money at a stranger who has placed you in an awkward or even dangerous situation, and blessing a member of your christian family whom you see day in and day out. If God leads you to bring them into the family then great they will deal with the root of the problem, but if not why expose yourself to the kind of stranger danger you warn your kids against. “I’ve never seen the rightous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.” psm 37:25

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