Safety when helping the homeless?

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Called4Christ

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Backstory (optional)
Hello,
So as I was leaving Starbucks tonight, I was approached by an elderly woman who said she needed a ride to a shelter. I'm always a little scared of letting people in my car, but especially because I'm single, female, and have no one at home to call and check on me. After thinking about it, I remembered the scripture that teaches us to actually act on helping people, and to not just wish them well. I offered to call the police for her, but she declined vehemently and said that they would only take her to jail.
Despite my comfort, then, I agreed. Once she got in my car, she expressed surprise at the time, and then asked for money to stay at a housing place of some sort that was open, but required money. She said 30$ would keep her until the end of the week when her disability check came in.
I was skeptical, but you know....God gave me my job, and it wouldn't feel right to be stingy.
After I got the 40$ withdrawn from an ATM, she requested a quick stop at a gas station. Again, I relented. I mean she was already in my car and I didn't feel like I had much choice and I didn't want to make her angry. I just wanted to keep aware of my surroundings. When I finally did drop her off at the location she requested...it didn't really look like a shelter to me. Along the way, I had asked her if she knew Jesus and she was kind of dismissive and said she did. Before she got out of the car to leave, I asked if I could pray with her, and she said she didn't have time.
I'm going to go back in the morning to the "shelter" and see if it looks more legitimate in the light. I dunno..I'm wondering if I was bamboozled.

Actual Question:
 Is it right to reject helping someone out of fear for your own, physical well being? I don't want to disobey Christ, and I want to help, but letting a stranger into my car at night scares me.
 
when help poor people i usually dont think too much.. if they lie its their choice.. my part is help them.. but sometimes i have fear and uncomfortable/not peace too then I decided not to help.. I help when i have urge in my heart to help them and usually it bring peace and happy.. Let us shine and show love to the other but at the same time be smart and wise enough
 
In my town all shelters have a curfew of 6:00pm. If you are not in by then, they will not let you in. This is a way to control individuals not getting into serious trouble. Also non cost money. I am aware some towns have halfway houses that there is a cost. I will admit that I would not take a stranger into my car or to my ATM. I do not feel that is safe unless I am working at the shelter and I am with another volunteer no one would be in a vehicle with me. I personally feel you put yourself at risk. If you want to work with homeless do so through the shelters or churches. Give money to them if you have on you and can spare and you feel they are not going to use for drugs. I usually carry a care package in my car. It has clean clothes, blanket and a package of food. I also volunteer at a shelter. Yes God asks us to give and help. However he also doesn't want us to put ourselves in dangerous situations. Be safe and dont go back to the location today.
 
I like to help people, but I am always a little over cautious about it. I don't ever let strangers into my car (I guess I've watched too many crime dramas in my life) and I'm always skeptical about giving them money in case they intend to spend it on drugs or alcohol. Instead I might ask them if they need something specific, and maybe run to a store and get it for them, or if I have a couple of extra protein bars in my car I will happily give those away. I also have made care packs in the past, with just general essential things including toothpaste and a toothbrush, and food, etc that I hand out to them. But when it comes to doing things like driving them places, Idk, I value my own safety over them getting somewhere faster. I know it sounds mean, but it's the truth....
 
Called4Christ said:
Backstory (optional)
Hello,
So as I was leaving Starbucks tonight, I was approached by an elderly woman who said she needed a ride to a shelter. I'm always a little scared of letting people in my car, but especially because I'm single, female, and have no one at home to call and check on me. After thinking about it, I remembered the scripture that teaches us to actually act on helping people, and to not just wish them well. I offered to call the police for her, but she declined vehemently and said that they would only take her to jail.
Despite my comfort, then, I agreed. Once she got in my car, she expressed surprise at the time, and then asked for money to stay at a housing place of some sort that was open, but required money. She said 30$ would keep her until the end of the week when her disability check came in.
I was skeptical, but you know....God gave me my job, and it wouldn't feel right to be stingy.
After I got the 40$ withdrawn from an ATM, she requested a quick stop at a gas station. Again, I relented. I mean she was already in my car and I didn't feel like I had much choice and I didn't want to make her angry. I just wanted to keep aware of my surroundings. When I finally did drop her off at the location she requested...it didn't really look like a shelter to me. Along the way, I had asked her if she knew Jesus and she was kind of dismissive and said she did. Before she got out of the car to leave, I asked if I could pray with her, and she said she didn't have time.
I'm going to go back in the morning to the "shelter" and see if it looks more legitimate in the light. I dunno..I'm wondering if I was bamboozled.

Actual Question:
 Is it right to reject helping someone out of fear for your own, physical well being? I don't want to disobey Christ, and I want to help, but letting a stranger into my car at night scares me.
Click to expand...

Next time call the police. Homeless people are homeless PEOPLE. They are PEOPLE. Guess what? Many homeless people do need help and should be helped, and that help ought to be coming from the government. There are veterans who are homeless. There are others who suffer with mental illnesses. The government ought to help those people. But also a lot of homeless do not need such help and therefore don't deserve to be helped. They are liars, thieves, selfish.

Learn from the experience you had. Don't make the same mistake twice. Call the police next time. Or just get to your car and move on along.
 
For some have entertained angels unaware. :) Remember, angels take on ANY human form, even that of a homeless woman. :)
 
blue_ladybug said:
For some have entertained angels unaware. :) Remember, angels take on ANY human form, even that of a homeless woman. :)
Click to expand...

I actually believe this happened to me once, but two homeless men instead of one homeless woman :p



And I kinda have some issues with the idea of not helping others for "safety" reasons, because I think sometimes people just use this in order to not worry about helping and then feel guiltless about it. Like, I was with this girl once, we were together getting a pizza, and on the way out of the pizza place, a man said he had been left in our town and needed a ride to the town over to get home, he seemed way upset, and pulled out his wallet and offered to pay for gas. She turned him down and said we had something we had to do. I didnt like that she lied to him, so I asked her why she said that. She said she didnt feel safe giving a guy a ride somewhere. Normally, I could see how that could be a concern, but I was there. There would have been two people, so I felt like I couldnt take her seriously, and she was only saying that because she didnt really want to give him a ride. This same person also lives with me, and I make pretty much all of the money in our house, but she often is the one who pays for things when we go shopping and junk. You know how the cashiers ask if youd like to donate a dollar to something like a childrens hospital or whatever? She always says no to it, and afterwards when I ask her why she did this, she says that were poor and need the money, but I earned the money, I know that we can spare a dollar. This is actually something thats been bothering me alot lately.


If you really feel that you could be in danger, then it is probly best to either leave the situation, or seek help from others for them. Someone posted joining a group that exists to help people, and this is definitely a good idea. I was /not/ talking about the OP when writing this, before anyone wants to come in and start a fight :p Im only talking about people using these reasonings to not have to worry about helping others in need.

Btw, I always carry pepperspray on me everywhere I go. I walk to work in the dark, at very very early hours, and I walk through small roads that have little light and alleyways, too, so I always keep it in my hand. Do you carry something like that, too? That would be good protection from someone who wished you harm.
 
Many are homeless do to psychological problems. My son was at work and he was alone there was a man screaming nonstop, obviously homeless on Saturday. My son offered the use of the restroom, water and asked if he could vacate the property. The young man refused and threw a rock and started screaming. He texted me, while calling the police. It took 4 police officers to get him to a car to get help. Some will say but she was an old lady. Very well lets say I am an old lady...now remember I have my Concealed weapons permit, I am a black belt, but now I am homeless and my head isn't all there. However those abilities are already in me. But I am an old lady who looks helpless!!! I wouldn't consider myself safe. GOD also gave us brains and a caring heart. However the brain needs to act before the heart, or we can put ourselves in danger. This is why I prefer to help the homeless by not allowing them in my car. After all I am still responsible to take care of myself.
 
Personally, I would never allow a random person into my car. I know you had good intentions, but you can never know who someone really is. It's just not worth the risk. But, as in many things, particularly things of this nature, we should always use discernment. Like Jeni said, you can give them some spare change if you have it(I've done that myself) or simply pray for them on your own. There's nothing wrong with refusing to give a ride and making yourself a priority in that situation, especially if you are concerned for your safety.
 
You took a calculated risk and that's cool, and there's also nothing wrong with valuing your life and being cautious, consequently.

Scripture-based answers will likely tell you to go for it. Sure, you may be entertaining angels, or you may be flirting with danger. Use your own discernment. You can help a body out without thrusting yourself into a bad situation.
 
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The fact that you took this person with you to an ATM, was especially unwise. Like BruceWayne said, you could have just given her some spare change.. or driven her to a soup kitchen so she could get a hot meal. Keep a bag of bottles and cans in your car--the next time you help a homeless person, you can give them the cans. :)
 
blue_ladybug said:
The fact that you took this person with you to an ATM, was especially unwise. Like BruceWayne said, you could have just given her some spare change.. or driven her to a soup kitchen so she could get a hot meal. Keep a bag of bottles and cans in your car--the next time you help a homeless person, you can give them the cans. :)
Click to expand...
"Got $30 I can have?"

"Well... I have this empty can of orange Fanta. Oh, wait, there's still some soda left in it!... That's okay. You can have it."
 
I would never allow a homeless person into my car, here's why...

In Biblical times, there were no real financial safety nets for people. You're a widow? You're now homeless. Job isn't doing that well? You're now homeless. You're closest friend could easily become homeless overnight, a regular ol' Joe. It gets kind of hard for people to be TOTALLY homeless in America with all the safety nets it has.

I would venture to guess that most homeless people are homeless due to untreated psychiatric/addiction problems, which makes them unpredictable and dangerous. If people are schizophrenic, there's no law that makes them get treatment. If someone has an incredible crack, heroin, or meth addiction (especially paired with an existing psychiatric problem), there is no law that treats them. They get locked in a prison somewhere untreated, given warm showers/meals, they still have access to their drug of choice, and then they are released back into society to repeat the cycle.
 
Siberian_Khatru said:
"Got $30 I can have?"

"Well... I have this empty can of orange Fanta. Oh, wait, there's still some soda left in it!... That's okay. You can have it."
Click to expand...


You do know you can redeem bottles and cans for money, right?? lol jk.. And if I give them $30 worth of cans, then yay..lol
 
blue_ladybug said:
The fact that you took this person with you to an ATM, was especially unwise. Like BruceWayne said, you could have just given her some spare change.. or driven her to a soup kitchen so she could get a hot meal. Keep a bag of bottles and cans in your car--the next time you help a homeless person, you can give them the cans. :)
Click to expand...

This is just what our "Kid's City" at church is doing tomorrow. People have been donating items, and my wife and I went Wednesday to get it all set up for Sunday morning. About 25 kids are all going to stock a "Blessing Bag" that they will keep in their parent's car. Their task this next week, will to be to find someone to bless with that Bag.

Our intent is that this will be something they will want to begin doing on their own every week, or so.
 
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