During this season of generosity, I’ve been wondering how far we should go in our giving. Specifically, the topic of street beggars has been on my mind. You know what I’m talking about: the person with the cardboard sign on the side of the road. They’re at Babcock and 410 all the time, along with other locations across the city. My children have asked on several occasions why people stand asking for money, and like any parent, my behavior models for them how to respond.
Let’s consider two sides to the argument:
1. Some say you should not give to street beggars. The argument: Giving enables them and encourages them to continue begging rather than seeking true help. It’s better to address the complex underlying issues that lead people to beg – lack of affordable housing, job shortages, mental health problems, etc. Besides, you never know how the person on the street will spend the cash. They might turn around and buy drugs, perpetuating a cycle of unhealthy choices.
As biblical support for this point of view, some turn to 2 Thessalonians 3:10: “If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.”
2. The other point of view is that we should give to them. Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:42: “Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.” Those who advocate giving to street beggars might argue that it’s not our responsibility how they spend the money. Our job is to be compassionate and generous. The rest is between God and that person.
I smiled at a story in a Christianity Today article about C.S. Lewis: “One day, Lewis and a friend were walking down the road and came upon a street person who reached out to them for help. While his friend kept walking, Lewis stopped and proceeded to empty his wallet. When they resumed their journey, his friend asked, ‘What are you doing giving him your money like that? Don’t you know he’s just going to go squander all that on ale?’ Lewis paused and replied, ‘That’s all I was going to do with it.'”
In addition, the point could be made that our refusing to give won’t drive street beggars to seek help for the underlying conditions. They won’t abandon their post at the intersection because you or I don’t roll down our windows. They’ll just wait for the next person who will give to them. So why not err on the side of grace and help out a person in need?
Both viewpoints are interesting to consider. In some ways, not giving may seem wiser and more prudent in the grand scheme of things. In other ways, giving to street beggars may seem like the more compassionate thing to do.
So, how do we respond to street beggars? Here are some ideas:
–Safety first. If you don’t feel safe around a street beggar, follow your gut and avoid any possible danger.
–Be prepared with non-cash gifts. In the past at Shepherd, we’ve assembled Blessing Bags with non-perishable foods, water, toiletries, and a Bible verse inside. You might consider keeping a stock of such items in your car. One person recommends socks as a practical thing to give to a street beggar.
–Pray for the person. Every time you drive by a street beggar, ask for God to provide for all of that person’s needs. For the deeper underlying issues, God is the only true source of healing and help.
–Follow the lead of the Holy Spirit. If God prompts you to give, go ahead and give. Listen to the urges God places in your heart. If He nudges you to part with a few dollars for someone in need, so be it.
As for the proof texts cited earlier, each is best understood in context, not in isolation. In 2 Thessalonians 3, Paul was writing to a Christian community in which some individuals had stopped carrying their fair share of the load. They most likely weren’t homeless but were being lax in their duties toward the rest of the community.
In Matthew 5, Jesus is encouraging radical grace. Turning the other cheek. Going the extra mile. Giving to one who begs. Then He talks about loving our enemies. He’s not prescribing the precise mechanics of caring for the homeless. He’s teaching broad principles about loving people with a surprising love that comes from God.
These verses teach us important lessons about diligence and grace that can be applied in a variety of situations. Neither one is an exact formula for responding to street beggars.
In the New Testament, there are occasions when Jesus and the disciples encountered beggars. I wish I could respond as they did – with a miracle of healing for whatever is ailing that person! “I have no silver or gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, stand up and walk!” (Acts 3:6) Alas, I don’t have the ability to do miracles like that. But I wish I did.
In the end, how to respond to street beggars is like any type of giving: It’s a personal choice, ultimately between God and you. Each of us has to strive for actions that give us peace in feeling that we served God in the way He wants to be served.
Ready for more tough questions? Check out my book, Jesus Said What?
Pastor Chris Kennedy 
It’s a difficult subject whether to give to Beggars or not. One Pastor I knew of would never give them money but would give them a note to take to the Salvation Army Hostel where they could get a meal and the Pastor would pay the Hostel. He had a “running account” with them. That made sense to me though I never had the opportunity to follow his example. Another thing I remember was my small Granddaughter asking me “Nana. Why do all the Beggars in Town have dogs?” A wise question from a very small child. Why indeed if they can’t feed themselves how could they feed a dog? I don’t get out much so I don’t come across Beggars but I like the idea of having packets of edibles in the car or even warm socks & gloves in the cold weather. Jesus said “The Poor will always be with you” and as Christians we have a responsibility towards them. Our way of helping is contributing to several of the Christian Charities who work with people who’ve fallen on hard times. The Lord has been kind to us and we can afford to share some of our good fortune to help others and trust that the Organisations we support will do their best with what they’re given from people like us.
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Beggars have dogs for the same reason everyone else does — because the dogs protect them and provide companionship. When you’re sleeping on the street it’s good to have a dog with you. Some people like to kill street people while they’re sleeping — set them on fire or shoot them. A dog can alert them to danger.
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I’m told to respond to your text. Some are beggars but they have a lot to bless us with. Some of them are there purposely to bless others to be rich financially and spiritually, remember, some of them can be an Angel of God . We are told to help strangers because some people have helped strangers that were angel without them knowingly , God’s children that are poor also have something to boast of…
Some people are afraid to help because they are afraid of evil attacks on their material possessions but they are forgotten that we were all once possessed by evil spirits and we are sharing the word of God today just by the Grace of almighty . Anyone that is eager to good for the glory of God shouldn’t fear anything because the eyes of God is on you and his ears are on attentive for your request and moreover you are not with them to fear them .. look , help anyone if you’re blessed to do so and even help your enemies because your enemy today can become your savior tomorrow . Let’s use the word of God to help everyone that is in need of our support eg let the the needy know that you’re told by your lord Jesus Christ to support him or her and the needy will be revealed to you by the spirit of God .. you’ll know if he or she is with God spirit if only the name Jesus is mentioned by a true servant of the lord Jesus Christ .
May the word of God be the integral part of our lives sir . God bless you
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Its pretty obvious what pure religion is. And the consequences to the passer by. When we consider our state as beggars and stinky compared to Jesus Christ, as we avoid others, he will say, who are you? He was asked what as a condition of salvation, and his story was the good sanitarian story. But what would Jesus know about grace vs. Works. He must have his theology wrong.
The worst about it is, there are lots who lost jobs, lost families dove deep into a bottle or depression or mental illness, and don’t you just love those who kick them, run the bus over them and tell them to be responsible and get a job. They are the same people who won’t take their parents in when they are Old and who actually give a buck in the jar to avoid actually doing anything meaningful.
IF God and he will, judges the world on this matter, you will be able to hear a pin drop at the pearly gates. … Nope, don’t know you. Nope, I thought I knew you.. nope, Oh, I remember you , mr. luke warm wishy washy, Nope cant really remember you either. Jesus gave his life for others. Those who skip that part will be skipped. Phil 2, James1, 2 Luke 10:25,Matthew 7, Acts 2, prov19:17 1 John 4
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Thanks Chris, I have this conversation 2-3 times a week, I think I will just print copies and hand them out.
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Our city council people are pleading with us not to give money to those who are begging in the street when cars are stopped at red lights. They refer to the traffic hazards this kind of behavior presents as well as the fact that giving is not really helping.
Instead, they are encouraging us to give to organizations that serve the homeless. In the future I’m going to take our city representatives pleadings to heart. I’m going to do an experiment and count the number of beggars I see in a week and give that number or a multiple of that number to an agency on the front lines working for the homeless.
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I am cool with giving THINGS, FOOD, PRAYER and so forth instead of money. But I am against being against giving money. If you have it to give, give. If you have something else, something better, give that.
Better yet, be hospitable. Take that person HOME. They are homeless. Homeless people need… A HOME.
Heb. 13:2, Matt 25:31-46, Luke 24:13-35, Rev 3:20
And/or throw a party for the poor who cannot repay! See Luke 14:13-14.
It’s worth the invite. A lot of bums will turn it down. That’s on them. But there is so very much adventure in faith to be had when they accept.
Think about it.
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Thank you for this. I too struggle with the decision to give or not. I usually end up giving as God does ask us to love each other and take care of each other. I don’t have control on what is done with the money. But I like your message to pray asking God what they need.
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Choices can be hard. Either way.
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Great answers I never thought of.
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Jesus: For I was hungry, and you didn’t feed me. I was thirsty, and you didn’t give me a drink. 43 I was a stranger, and you didn’t invite me into your home. I was naked, and you didn’t give me clothing. I was sick and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’
Instead of giving Money, ask if they want something to eat or drink. because you should feed them, by ignoring them it’s as if you didn’t feed Jesus. However, it’s hard to do it to every homeless you pass by. Some areas there are many many homeless back to back.
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Thank you for this beautiful comment .This opened my heart ❤️ to know God has given me life and blessed me therefore it teaches me to share and bless others. Bless each and every beautiful individual on this page.
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I feel terrible. I’m on holiday I Bologna, Italy. Had my family outdoors eating at Maccas. A bigger came up asking for food and money. I felt threatened so ignored him. Staff soon came out and moved him on. Apparently he frequently asks the people there for food and money. It’s so difficult to know how to respond in Biblical way. If he begs for a living should we support that?
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