We have all seen them, they are everywhere: street corners, intersections, outside of the local supermarket. Some of us pretend we don't see them. Some of us spare them a few dollars from the change we got at lunch, and some of us go as far as to give them disdainful looks or even express our loathing for them. What do you do?
Deuteronomy 15:11 says, "For the poor will never cease from the land; therefore I command you, saying, ‘You shall open your hand wide to your brother, to your poor and your needy, in your land." There will always be those who are less fortunate, God tells us that. No matter how much Welfare we give out, no matter who becomes President, it doesn't matter. There will always be poverty. God commands us to help them, to open our hands to them. Notice that He doesn't say "some" or "those you deem worthy"; He says to your poor and your needy in your land.
If I see someone in need I give them what I can, whether it be a few dollars or a snack that I hadn't opened yet. Yes I am aware that some of the money I have given away has gone to drugs and alcohol and other unnecessary things, but here's how I see it- once I have given that person the money, I have done right by them and by God, it is now up to them to do right by me and by God as well. I can't decide for them what they will do, nor can I predict it.
I know that another argument against giving to those in need is that if they need money so bad, they should get a job. I get that, I do. I agree completely. I don't believe in handouts. However, I do believe that people can be down on their luck and not in control. For all I know they could have a job and still aren't able to make ends meet. They could be looking for a job with no luck. I have to step back and realize that not everyone is as fortunate as I have been growing up with an education. It is nearly impossible to get a job nowadays without a high school diploma or GED unless you are still in school. How does that affect those who haven't been fortunate enough to receive an education?
I know that some people are probably reading this and thinking that I am a complete idiot, and that's okay. You're entitled to that opinion. And to be quite honest I really don't care. At the end of the day I care about the decisions I made that day and how they affected myself and other people. Sure you could give to the wrong person, so your alternative is to not give at all. But what happens when you don't give to the person who needs it the most? So I leave you with this- next time you find yourself in this situation, contemplating whether or not they are worth it, ask yourself, " Who the hell am I to judge?"
