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Post by jonathanhulewicz on May 11, 2006 20:46:12 GMT -5
Last night our team had an opportunity to hand out some tracts and do some one2one. I spoke to this guy and all seemed to be going well and I just felt something was not right (you know the feeling). He told me that he was homeless and asked me why and what I can do to help him. I answered I don't have an answer. He became angry with me and ended the conversation, so I left.
I was speaking to some other people and he came looking for me and started yelling out that I don't obey the greatest commandment (love your neighbour as yourself). Because of this I lost the two I was witnessing to.
He wanted to speak more and was quoting scripture and seemed to have some knowledge of the scriptures. He told me that I should give him money and help him out. He was well dressed (no torn clothes etc..) and his breath stinketh with cigarette smoke. I didn't want to judge him but I think I knew where my money would of gone if I gave it to him.
Just wondering if any of you have come across homeless people and how have you handled them?
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Post by ejuliot on May 11, 2006 21:31:17 GMT -5
I used to hand out money like it was candy but my friend rebuked me because many of the homeless we run into are addicts. What we do now is give them gift certificates to McDonald's so they can get food. This way I don't have to worry that I am fueling their drug addiction. If I don't have any gift certificates I might buy them some food (I always try to give a tract or talk to them as well because there is no point in feeding them and then sending them off to hell). Then there are times when I just don't have money and the only thing I can give them is the gospel, if they ask for money or food I tell them that I have nothing to give. Of course if they look like they need a sweater or something I would definitely give them mine but many of the homeless in my area make the same amount of money that I do in a week so they are usually warmly dressed. I hoped that helps a little. Liz
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Post by cervyy on May 11, 2006 21:37:53 GMT -5
I was wondering what people would say to this post. Personally, I really wouldn't know what I would do in that situation. But I do like ejuliot's response, best to give them that so they can't waste it.
Homeless need quite a lot of help, but just giving them money is just the tip of the iceberg. They need to be motivated to try and make their lives better.
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Post by josh on May 11, 2006 22:58:11 GMT -5
We get that alot in Brisbane, people coming up and asking for money. Something I have started to do is ask them if they get the doll, they all reply that they do. Then I ask them what they spent it on. Most people at this stage leave the conversation or they will honestly reply "I spent it on booze, and smokes", so I ask them what is more important, food or grog.
No one in Australia needs to go hungry, with all the hand outs from Canberra, and many soup kitchens around. Its a case of they want to buy the booze, and then get more food.
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Post by Doc H on May 11, 2006 23:21:53 GMT -5
That is true. No one here in Australia has to go hungry unless they decide to spend their welfare money on drugs, booze or cigarettes.
Good advice ejuliot. Give them the most imortant thing they need-Spiritual food, followed by a food voucher or buy them a meal.
As we all know the Bible teaches us to love our neighbour but it also teaches us to be discerning.
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Post by Josh Parsley on May 12, 2006 8:06:42 GMT -5
Yeah, I agree. Never just give them money. I usually ask them what they want the money for. One time I did that he said, "beer and cigarettes" so instead of giving him money I preached to him. Another time I seen the same man and asked him if it was for food and he said yes so I went and to the sandwich shop and let him get whatever he wanted.
Always ask them what they want it for. Then if it's something the need or really could use, go get it for them. That's what I have done.
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Post by rsmportland on May 12, 2006 15:34:41 GMT -5
Some homeless brothers hang out at a store by my house. I just hooked them up with some soda and a box of donuts, and gave 'em a tract. It's hard to say "Jesus loves you" to somebody who hasn't showered in months. While we're on the subject, be sure you know where your local rescue mission is, especially a Chrisitan rescue mission. Ask the guy if he's had a chance to drop in. Christian rescue missions have a significantly higher success rate then secular missions.
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Post by rebecca01 on May 12, 2006 22:20:20 GMT -5
I live in Florida and it seems like the homeless situation is getting worse.The contractors are buying up all of the mobile home parks and replacing them with condos.The price of housing in Florida has gone up dramatically.We bought our home in 1990 for 32,000 and if we were to sell it today we could get atleast 100,000 for it.
The insurance companies can no longer cover the mobile home parks against hurricane damage so the owners of these parks are selling them for profit.But I believe in Isaiah it says: "Woe to those who build house to house and feild to feild till there be no place that they may be alone on the earth."
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Post by jonathanhulewicz on May 14, 2006 1:52:35 GMT -5
I will make sure I have some food vouchers with me when I go out next time.
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Post by Jeffrey Olver on May 15, 2006 8:46:06 GMT -5
I defintely rely on discernment from the Lord when talking with homeless people - especially when they claim to be devout Christians....
...But when it comes to those who say they truly follow Jesus, THIS scripture always comes to mind:
"I have been young, and now am old; YET I HAVE NOT SEEN THE RIGHTEOUS FORSAKEN, NOR HIS SEED BEGGING BREAD. He is ever merciful and lendeth; and His seed is blessed." Psalm 37:25-26
While it is good to care for the poor and destitute...God does not base His judgement of sin on a person's situation. He is impartial. A hypocrite is a hypocrite - it doesn't matter if he's wearing rags or Armani. A drunkard is a drunkard - it doesn't matter if he's drinking booze from a paper bag or a martinni glass. A liar is a liar - it doesn't matter if he/she lies through broken and grimy teeth or through botox injected lips.
Someone following Jesus, while they may not have what we consider basics (and would be considered luxuries to him/her). God still does provide for them so His seed will not be found without blessing or without bread.
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Post by Morluna on May 15, 2006 11:20:14 GMT -5
I always help hopeless people when I can. I like to carry a few cash bills with me all the time just so I have money on me if I get asked for help. (I usually only pay for things with a card, so I have to make an effort to remember to keep cash in my wallet for that purpose)
I always give people the benefit of the doubt that they need money for food etc. I continually remind myself that that could very easily be me on the streets, and wouldn't I want someone to help me? Also, I know that that life is a very lonely one... most of them wander about by themselves a lot, and so I always make a point to be friendly and talk to them. Most of the people that live in our local park are really very nice, sweet people. Very friendly, most of them.
Deutoronomy 15:7-15
If there is a poor man among your brothers in any of the towns of the land that the LORD your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother. 8 Rather be openhanded and freely lend him whatever he needs. 9 Be careful not to harbor this wicked thought: "The seventh year, the year for canceling debts, is near," so that you do not show ill will toward your needy brother and give him nothing. He may then appeal to the LORD against you, and you will be found guilty of sin. 10 Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. 11 There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land.
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Post by wkufan on May 16, 2006 2:09:30 GMT -5
I always help hopeless people when I can. I like to carry a few cash bills with me all the time just so I have money on me if I get asked for help. Please exercise caution if you do this. If you feel compelled to do this, make sure it's in the open and there's plenty of "non-homeless" around. And please never flash any more cash than you intend to give out. Some people will split your skull for a nickle. Personally I'm mixed about giving money. But I typically give them a few dollars and tell them I'm giving them the money on behalf of Christ and that I hope they'll use it to eat. I'm sure 99.9% of the time I'm being scammed, but I'm giving them money to honor Jesus (and I tell them this) as I would expect Him to want me to show some form of compassion to them. The thing is everyone of them are qualified for Medicaid and Social Security stipends. But I know from personal experience they blow this in about two days. But you can't help but not ache for them.
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Post by HDmatt on May 23, 2006 22:09:52 GMT -5
me & jed use the nutty bar evangelism approach ;D tell them silver & gold we do not have, but the gospel yes(which they hear from us) then the chawklet! Another cheap & easy alternative from your redneck evangelist friends in mississippi! Home of the homeless lol
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jed
Junior Member
Posts: 56
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Post by jed on May 24, 2006 13:14:34 GMT -5
Best thing to do is to bring some Little Debbies snacks or pb and j or sardines or something. That way if they ask for some food they are in a tight spot because they have to accept it instead of money. I have seen many people turn it down, because they never wanted food in the first place.
Don't know if I ever wrote a report about an incident 2 months ago. We went down to our favourite club to preach and the first man that we encountered walking that way was homeless.
He said the usual thing, that is, that the local rescue mission (not a mile away, but closed by 1130 at night) tried to charge him $5. I have been to this place before to ask about their policy and they seemed a little insulted that someone said they charge. He also said that the other rescue mission kicked him out for fighting and that he didn't like "those places". He insisted on help, insomuch that he said that he would help us pass out tracts!
So down the street we went. The FIRST person he met got this: Here's a tract. Thanks. Do you think you could help us with a little money?
We pulled the guy aside and asked him if he was crazy. "We don't do this for money, do not get these people thinking that!" He said that he would cross the street to go "witness" to some people he saw.
So we ditched him. Even threw our stepstool in the bushes and went home. Didn't preach. We didn't want to be associated with money grabbers.
I didn't feel bad about it. Should I?
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