Why Not Cash?

LakeRidge United Methodist Church, Lubbock, TX

This is not a great picture but you can tell that I like it since I am posting this scripture again even though it's in my header.  Just a little reminder......Act justly and love mercy. 

So if you scroll down you'll see I'm discussing interaction (or lack thereof) with folks that appear to be homeless.  In my previous post I recommended that we should never give them cash.  I know that seems counter-intuitive.  They say they are homeless.  Meaning they have no money.  Meaning they must be hungry.  Meaning the've fallen on hard times and need us to give them money so they can go to McDonald's and buy dinner.  They are asking for money so they must really need it, right?

Well.....maybe.  But maybe not.  Don't criticize me because I sound like a cynic.  There will always be exceptions to every rule, of course.  But a certain percentage of those working the street corners are either: a) homeless because they want to be, -or- b) not really homeless, -or- c) have a decent enough income from disabilities, unemployment, etc.,  considering they don't have a full-time job, their own place to live requiring rent payments, upkeep, etc.,
-and- d) may be using deception and manipulation for survival.  

 Carpenter's Church in Lubbock, Tx is one of the best resources for learning to treat those in need with respect and understanding.  They provide a variety of services for those living on the street, from a day shelter and classes that can help move them toward a better life, to sustainable housing. I will write about them in more depth later, but quoting from their site:

Don't Give Cash:   We never give cash to people at Carpenter's or on the streets, no matter how compelling the story.  If you want to help, try to meet the need directly, i.e., instead of giving cash, buy a meal, fill up the tank with gas, etc. There are two primary reasons for this: One, because even with the best intentions, carrying cash around is a big temptation for most folks: and two, often there are organizations who have long-term experience and relationships with the people you want to help who are better equipped to meet the need.  When you give money to someone on the streets, at Carpenter's or at Wal-Mart, you're contributing to a system in which materially poor people do not have to work or seek real help; you teach them to beg.  Educate yourself ahead of time so that when someone asks you for money for food or general help or whatever, you can say, "You know there's a free meal just down the street at ______."  or "So-and-so organization helps with food vouchers.", etc.  Most of the time, the people you see panhandling outside Wal-Mart know more than you do about where to get help, and in our experience, are largely there for reasons other than food, shelter, gas, etc.

In future posts I'll discuss other ways to help those on the street.

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