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Can You Spare Some Change?
In the Bible, the book of Micah has a line that in some ways summarizes how we are to live. “You have been told … what is good, and what the LORD requires of you: Only to do the right and to love goodness, and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8).
This is one of my favorite mantras. The verse reminds me how I am to be in the world. I’ve been thinking about this verse alot today. At Mass this morning, the readings centered around how we to live as people of God. The response to the psalm (Psalm 15) was “Those who love justice shall live in the presence of God.” I had to ask myself: Do I love justice and exhibit this in my own life? Who are the people in my life who are suffering injustice? What does God call me to do?
One of my biggest struggles is how to respond to people on the street who ask for money. These folks are usually at the traffic light when I exit the highway or hanging out on my street block. I run into people asking for money near bus and train stations and just about everywhere downtown. I’ve lived in a number of big cities and (sadly) I’ve gotten used to seeing homeless people and people begging for money. At one level I am horrified by the abject poverty I see. At another level (I am ashamed to say) I don’t know what to do so I walk right by. Occasionally I give money or food. Now I’m better at always saying hello and making eye contact. I know there are people who object to handouts … “they’re just going to use it for drugs or alcohol.” But you know, that is a major cop-out. It is not up to me to judge or try to predict how a person is going to use the money. But it is up to me to decide if I am going to hear the call of the poor or if I’m going to ignore it and walk away. In theory, of course I want to “do the right”. But when it comes to relating to people who live on the street and/or beg for money, what is the proper response? I’m not really sure and that troubles me to no end.
Please share your insights, questions, and comments on this.
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Lurker, here. I don’t know how to respond, either. I’ve offered food before, and gotten yelled at. Most of the time, I’m living paycheck-to-paycheck, myself, and have to trust that there’s going to be enough to cover rent at the end of the month. While the “regulars” in my area are cool people, there’s another group of panhandlers who can be extremely aggressive (I had a guy yelling at me and following me down the street tonight.) I’m your average geek, and wear geeky clothes. I’m pretty non-threatening, and nondescript.
If I’m not being chased down the street, I’ll say a prayer for them. (If I’m being chased I’ll try to remember later.) Being a broke grad student, it’s the best I can do some days.
And a weird story: when I first moved out here, I wasn’t feeling very good about the decision. I was homesick–I missed the people at my old school (CalArts), and for the first time in my life I felt like I really belonged there. So I was walking home from Mass, and I’d stopped to pick up some groceries. I was passing by another church, and I heard a guy singing a song I heard often at CalArts in the African music department (Ewe, I believe.) So I stopped and asked the guy where he was from (Ghana), and said I’d recognized the song. We got talking, and he started saying a bunch of random sentences. Didn’t think much of it, until I realized he was answering every question I was asking myself silently just moments before. I offered him some of my groceries (he declined), and I went on my way. I asked around about him–wondering what happened–and nobody knows anything about a guy from Ghana.
Wow, Jen, you’ve had some pretty wild experiences. I can certainly relate to being broke and at the same time trying to respond to people’s needs. You’ve highlighted some other major things to consider. There’s the whole issue of not offending people. That is a tough one. Some people really don’t want help let alone “charity”. Then there’s the fact that many people on the streets have mental and/or emotional difficulties. Approaching a person begging is a highly unpredictable situation. And being a woman alone does heighten the safety alarm. I’ve never been chased down the street though! Cursed at and told to go to hell? Yes. I think it’s pretty cool that you had the chance to talk with the guy from Ghana and also see if he did want food. Keep doing what you’re doing and make sure you have your running shoes on!
I usually try to carry some cereal bars (soft ones for those that haven’t had access to dental care) in my work bag to offer to people who request money. So far (I work in downtown Atlanta), I haven’t had anyone decline or be rude to me.
I like that idea, Elizabeth, and appreciate your sensitivity to folks. I think I will add soft cereal bars to my work bag as well.