The other day we took the kids out to buy some toys with the money they had earned. As we walked out of the store, a homeless guy was waiting and asked for some change. I had a couple dollars in my wallet and I also encouraged the kids to give them some of their money, which they did.
He tried to refuse their money, but I insisted as I wanted to teach the kids the lesson so beautifully taught by King Benjamin in the Book of Mormon:
And also, ye yourselves will succor those that stand in need of your succor; ye will administer of your substance unto him that standeth in need; and ye will not suffer that the beggar putteth up his petition to you in vain, and turn him out to perish.
Perhaps thou shalt say: The man has brought upon himself his misery; therefore I will stay my hand, and will not give unto him of my food, nor impart unto him of my substance that he may not suffer, for his punishments are just—
But I say unto you, O man, whosoever doeth this the same hath great cause to repent; and except he repenteth of that which he hath done he perisheth forever, and hath no interest in the kingdom of God.
For behold, are we not all beggars? Do we not all depend upon the same Being, even God, for all the substance which we have, for both food and raiment, and for gold, and for silver, and for all the riches which we have of every kind?
It also reminded me of this video of being civil to ALL people…not just the ones we are comfortable with:
I’ll have to admit that I’m not always as generous as I should be and I’m judgmental a lot of the time when I see homeless people-especially when I’m in a rush or in a sketchy part of downtown. Fear and selfishness keeps me moving on rather than stopping and trying to get to know them and help them.
I’m curious. What do you do when you see a beggar or homeless person?
Grace for Grace 
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October 10, 2014 at 7:18 pm
Cal
The Book of Mormon makes a good point—we’re all beggars!
GraceforGrace asked, “What do you do when you see a beggar or homeless person?”
Sometimes I give something; sometimes not. I always wonder what I should do. My wife’s son says some of them are professional beggars who make a lot of money at it.
One time a beggar in . . . I think it was Boston . . . told me he was from Canada and needed something like $60 for a bus ticket to get back there. When I told him I was a Christian, he said he was, too, but as he told me his story of how he got himself stranded in Boston, a man behind him was slowly shaking his head back and forth. I knew then that his story was a farce. Still, because I had told him I was a Christian, and because I wanted to leave him with the impression that Christians are generous, I went ahead and gave him 5 bucks.
I went away wondering, though, “Did he think I was a sucker?”
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October 18, 2014 at 9:25 am
Cfaig
I try to follow the spirit. I have made it a point in my life to do so. Sometimes I feel compelled to give, sometimes I get a clear message, no. Most times I get nothing. In those situations, if I have some cash I’ll give a couple of bucks. Very simple. But I feel good about it. I’ve taught my childen to do the same. I have a hard time walking by someone begging without giving something, unless a get a clear “no.”
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October 22, 2014 at 8:45 pm
vivian
I have noticed for myself personally that when I am drawing near to our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, I am able to connect with the needs of others more easily. I seem to be more sensitive to the spirit’s promptings because I am in a place of balance spiritually, physically, mentally. It makes me feel good to know that I am being of help to others by showing love and kindness!! “It doesn’t cost one cent to show kindness” I LOVE that!! “Treat others as you would want to be treated..” YES!
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October 23, 2014 at 5:47 am
Cal
So true!
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November 7, 2014 at 11:39 am
Anna
I saw a beggar once he had no legs and was dragging himself. He was dirty.He looked at me with hope and i hand no money to give him, I could only shake my head. I couldn’t help him. H e was sitting there hungry, no legs, no food, no home and there I was 2 legs, a home and a full stomach (I had just been in a restaurant).There I was wasting food, I had not eaten it all, and here he was starving to death. I felt so guilty, as I just walked away. Another time I saw a woman and her child, both homeless, they lived on the side of a hill and she was begging for money to feed her child. I didn’t have any money and walked away. All of this and more happens in developing countries,I wish I could do something to help them.
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November 7, 2014 at 11:43 am
Anna
Am I a bad person for walking away?
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November 14, 2014 at 6:19 am
Jean
In my city we have an amazing homeless shelter called Haven For Hope. They have housing for families as well as individuals, preschool activities, help with job training and job hunting, medical services, and a detox facility, among other things. I often keep HFH’s contact info in my car so when I come across someone panhandling, I can tell them about it and help them make a phone call there. Sometimes I keep a couple bag lunches in the car to hand out the window (most of my city’s homeless camp out at major highway exits.) I don’t like to hand out money, especially when there are 3 or more men working all areas of the same intersection. I prefer to provide food and resources.
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