Deuteronomy 15:7 If among you, one of your brothers should become poor, in any of your towns within your land that the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart or shut your hand against your poor brother.
2 Corinthians 9:11 You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.
Recently have seen an influx of younger people who live under bridges, parking lots, behind shopping centers, etc. While God does command Christians to give and be generous with those that are lacking. I have come to see that these people are not necessarily lacking because of economic difficulties, but because they choose to live as vagrants because local cities have allowed this. In the state I live in, drugs and alcohol are readily available. Most stand at intersections with signs asking for money, food, and clothing, and sometimes for substances. Some even bring their entire family to gain sympathy.
While I have given food, water, and clothing, I refuse to give money. After seeing all of this, I wonder when does helping someone stop and we begin to enable them to live this way? Is that within itself and contradiction to God’s commandment? I am finding myself being less willing to offer anything. The trash that is left, the constant intoxication, makeshift shanties, I find myself becoming quite angry at all of it. Again, when as a Christians are we supposed to say, “ Much has been done for you, and now it’s time that you do something for yourself and start being a part of a productive society” ?
2 Corinthians 9:11 You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.
Recently have seen an influx of younger people who live under bridges, parking lots, behind shopping centers, etc. While God does command Christians to give and be generous with those that are lacking. I have come to see that these people are not necessarily lacking because of economic difficulties, but because they choose to live as vagrants because local cities have allowed this. In the state I live in, drugs and alcohol are readily available. Most stand at intersections with signs asking for money, food, and clothing, and sometimes for substances. Some even bring their entire family to gain sympathy.
While I have given food, water, and clothing, I refuse to give money. After seeing all of this, I wonder when does helping someone stop and we begin to enable them to live this way? Is that within itself and contradiction to God’s commandment? I am finding myself being less willing to offer anything. The trash that is left, the constant intoxication, makeshift shanties, I find myself becoming quite angry at all of it. Again, when as a Christians are we supposed to say, “ Much has been done for you, and now it’s time that you do something for yourself and start being a part of a productive society” ?