THE GENUINELY POOR

[Buff Scott Jr.]

The Genuinely Poor
______

BUFF SCOTT, JR.
​

Three weeks ago, I went grocery shopping at one of our local stores. In the first isle, I noticed a poorly-dressed lady with no make-up toward the end of the isle counting the number of items she had placed inside her food cart. She must have been about 30-35 years old.

Immediately, I got the notion she had only a certain number of dollars to spend. A few minutes later, I saw her in another isle counting her items again. Then the third time I observed the same, but this time she took a couple items out of her cart and put them back where she got them. She had no idea I was watching.

I knew then I had to do something to help her, for my heart was getting heavy just by watching her. She did not appear to be on drugs or high on alcohol but simply a poor woman who was “trying” to buy enough food to feed her children.

I walked over near her while she was counting her cart items the fourth time. I took some money out of my billfold and said to her, “Ma’am, here, please, take this money and use it to buy what you need.” She looked surprised and replied, “No, no, I can’t do that!” I responded, “Yes you can, I want you to take this.”

To help her feel good about accepting it, I added, “I help other people as well.” I then took her hand, placed the money in her palm, and closed her hand. She said, “You’re about to make me cry.” I could see her facial expression and knew she was indeed about to cry.

At that point I had to take control of my own emotions because I, too, was about to cry. She finally accepted it and I gave her a big hug. As she walked away, I felt I should give her my ID card, so I did. She looked at it, read aloud my name, and thanked me again with a big smile. I haven’t seen her since, but when and if I do, I will make it a point to inquire about her financial affairs.

At no time did I feel she was setting me up for a “hit.” She wasn’t even aware I was around until I confronted her. If she had set me up for a “hit,” I would have received a call from her by now asking for more help. That call has not arrived.

At the same store on another visit, I observed a poor-looking Asian fellow—lonely and possibly depressed. I watched him on two other occasions as well. He did not appear to be a “Street beggar.” During this visit, however, I handed him a few dollars and his face lit up like a candle. I said nothing to him except, “Please take this and spend it.”

I am not sharing this to “blow my own horn,” but to encourage others to give freely to the genuinely poor for, as Jesus said, “You will always have the poor with you.”

That you may know, I do not hand out money to just anybody. I see healthy-looking people standing on Street corners holding “sad signs” and begging for money every time I go out. They are “bums.” Never do I give them a dime. For if they are physically and mentally healthy enough to stand for hours on Street corners begging money from the pockets of hard-working taxpayers, they are well-off enough physically to find a job and go to work.​

 

[Josheb]

The Genuinely Poor
______

BUFF SCOTT, JR.
​

Three weeks ago, I went grocery shopping at one of our local stores. In the first isle, I noticed a poorly-dressed lady with no make-up toward the end of the isle counting the number of items she had placed inside her food cart. She must have been about 30-35 years old.

Immediately, I got the notion she had only a certain number of dollars to spend. A few minutes later, I saw her in another isle counting her items again. Then the third time I observed the same, but this time she took a couple items out of her cart and put them back where she got them. She had no idea I was watching.

I knew then I had to do something to help her, for my heart was getting heavy just by watching her. She did not appear to be on drugs or high on alcohol but simply a poor woman who was “trying” to buy enough food to feed her children.

I walked over near her while she was counting her cart items the fourth time. I took some money out of my billfold and said to her, “Ma’am, here, please, take this money and use it to buy what you need.” She looked surprised and replied, “No, no, I can’t do that!” I responded, “Yes you can, I want you to take this.”

To help her feel good about accepting it, I added, “I help other people as well.” I then took her hand, placed the money in her palm, and closed her hand. She said, “You’re about to make me cry.” I could see her facial expression and knew she was indeed about to cry.

At that point I had to take control of my own emotions because I, too, was about to cry. She finally accepted it and I gave her a big hug. As she walked away, I felt I should give her my ID card, so I did. She looked at it, read aloud my name, and thanked me again with a big smile. I haven’t seen her since, but when and if I do, I will make it a point to inquire about her financial affairs.

At no time did I feel she was setting me up for a “hit.” She wasn’t even aware I was around until I confronted her. If she had set me up for a “hit,” I would have received a call from her by now asking for more help. That call has not arrived.

At the same store on another visit, I observed a poor-looking Asian fellow—lonely and possibly depressed. I watched him on two other occasions as well. He did not appear to be a “Street beggar.” During this visit, however, I handed him a few dollars and his face lit up like a candle. I said nothing to him except, “Please take this and spend it.”

I am not sharing this to “blow my own horn,” but to encourage others to give freely to the genuinely poor for, as Jesus said, “You will always have the poor with you.”

That you may know, I do not hand out money to just anybody. I see healthy-looking people standing on Street corners holding “sad signs” and begging for money every time I go out. They are “bums.” Never do I give them a dime. For if they are physically and mentally healthy enough to stand for hours on Street corners begging money from the pockets of hard-working taxpayers, they are well-off enough physically to find a job and go to work.​

Well done. Well said.

Numerous are the occasions when poverty (or immigration, mental health, or some other current societal concern) is being discussed with other Christians who disagree with me and I inquire with something, "Share with me what it is you're doing in your personal life to support what you're saying." Sometimes there is an answer where the person is active in a manner consistent with their own belief, but I cannot recall of the top of my head when the last time was that occurred. If it happens on Facebook the responses are often vitriolic .

Giving is sometimes a challenge. I noticed the mention of concerns about drugs and/or alcohol. Does/would that matter? I'm sure you left content out, but you noticed the woman counting, thereby indicating something important to you regarding your own prospective generosity. It's commendable but also a curious thing because most folks count (they simply do so silently) and many are the financially poor among us. Then there's the matter of the gospel. It was acted out in gracious giving but did the recipient know that? It's been my experience many among the poor know the gospel and know about God. A lesser number, but still many, know Christ (or report to do so). There are a lot of financially "poor" people in this country (the US, where poor here is still better than poor in most other countries) but a lot more spiritually destitute. Neither you nor I cannot meet the material needs of all the poor - not even all of the poor God brings intersecting our respective lives . It's better to go to heaven materially impoverished than hell spiritually impoverished. Here in the US, most municipalities have extensive resources for meeting the material needs of the poor and many of them are administrated through local congregations. Even when the impoverished refuse those resources, the opportunity to have a conversation about one's need can be of greater value than whatever money is provided. Few things in life are more powerful than feeling heard. When that happens among the poor, the poor feel human again.

 

[makesends]

To me, it is a matter of conscience. What I dislike is people in hours-long discussions (like Sunday School class) debating what is universally right or wrong about this. Why not give what money you can to whomever even appears to need it? Why look for excuses NOT to give it?

 

[Buff Scott Jr.]

Well done. Well said.

Numerous are the occasions when poverty (or immigration, mental health, or some other current societal concern) is being discussed with other Christians who disagree with me and I inquire with something, "Share with me what it is you're doing in your personal life to support what you're saying." Sometimes there is an answer where the person is active in a manner consistent with their own belief, but I cannot recall of the top of my head when the last time was that occurred. If it happens on Facebook the responses are often vitriolic .

Giving is sometimes a challenge. I noticed the mention of concerns about drugs and/or alcohol. Does/would that matter? I'm sure you left content out, but you noticed the woman counting, thereby indicating something important to you regarding your own prospective generosity. It's commendable but also a curious thing because most folks count (they simply do so silently) and many are the financially poor among us. Then there's the matter of the gospel. It was acted out in gracious giving but did the recipient know that? It's been my experience many among the poor know the gospel and know about God. A lesser number, but still many, know Christ (or report to do so). There are a lot of financially "poor" people in this country (the US, where poor here is still better than poor in most other countries) but a lot more spiritually destitute. Neither you nor I cannot meet the material needs of all the poor - not even all of the poor God brings intersecting our respective lives . It's better to go to heaven materially impoverished than hell spiritually impoverished. Here in the US, most municipalities have extensive resources for meeting the material needs of the poor and many of them are administrated through local congregations. Even when the impoverished refuse those resources, the opportunity to have a conversation about one's need can be of greater value than whatever money is provided. Few things in life are more powerful than feeling heard. When that happens among the poor, the poor feel human again.

Josheb, regardless of how we explain it, there ARE genuinely poor people out there who need help. Hardly a day goes by but that I see a few.​

 

[Buff Scott Jr.]

To me, it is a matter of conscience. What I dislike is people in hours-long discussions (like Sunday School class) debating what is universally right or wrong about this. Why not give what money you can to whomever even appears to need it? Why look for excuses NOT to give it?

Very good, makesends.

 

[Josheb]

Josheb, regardless of how we explain it, there ARE genuinely poor people out there who need help. Hardly a day goes by but that I see a few.​

????? Did I not say as much?

............................ It's commendable but also a curious thing because most folks count (they simply do so silently) and many are the financially poor among us. Then there's the matter of the gospel. It was acted out in gracious giving but did the recipient know that? It's been my experience many among the poor know the gospel and know about God. A lesser number, but still many, know Christ (or report to do so). There are a lot of financially "poor" people in this country...............

Why does alcohol and drug use matter?

Since there are so many (financially) poor among us and hardly a day goes by when a few among the poor are not seen, how do you discern to whom to give and not to give? What do you read scripture to say on the matter?

 

[Josheb]

Why not give what money you can to whomever even appears to need it?

Everyone who needs money?

Why look for excuses NOT to give it?

??? Just covering that base or genuinely implying someone is looking for "excuses" not to give?

 

[Buff Scott Jr.]

????? Did I not say as much?

​

​

​

Why does alcohol and drug use matter?

Since there are so many (financially) poor among us and hardly a day goes by when a few among the poor are not seen, how do you discern to whom to give and not to give? What do you read scripture to say on the matter?

I understand, but I wanted all other readers see this note.

 

[Josheb]

I understand, but I wanted all other readers see this note.

Great. Still not answering my questions. How is alcohol and/or other drug use (AOD) relevant to giving? How do you discern whether to give or not? What do you read scripture to say on the matter(s)?

 

[Buff Scott Jr.]

Great. Still not answering my questions. How is alcohol and/or other drug use (AOD) relevant to giving? How do you discern whether to give or not? What do you read scripture to say on the matter(s)?

I don't think I dealt with the consumption alcohol and drugs, did I, in my post? Perhaps one other reader did allude to them.​

 

[Josheb]

I don't think I dealt with the consumption alcohol and drugs, did I, in my post? Perhaps one other reader did allude to them.​

The op states,

I knew then I had to do something to help her, for my heart was getting heavy just by watching her. She did not appear to be on drugs or high on alcohol but simply a poor woman who was “trying” to buy enough food to feed her children.​

So.... yes, you did "deal" with it in some way to some degree. You appraised she wasn't using. Good. Great!

So what?

• How is alcohol and/or other drug use (AOD) relevant to giving?
• Aside from AOD use, how do you discern whether to give or not?
• What do you read scripture to say on the matter(s)?

.

 

[Buff Scott Jr.]

The op states,

So.... yes, you did "deal" with it in some way to some degree. You appraised she wasn't using. Good. Great!

So what?

• How is alcohol and/or other drug use (AOD) relevant to giving?
• Aside from AOD use, how do you discern whether to give or not?
• What do you read scripture to say on the matter(s)?

.

Sorry, Josheb, I overlooked the mention of both. But I used them in a casual way - not too directly.​

 

[Josheb]

Sorry, Josheb, I overlooked the mention of both. But I used them in a casual way - not too directly.​

That's okay. The questions are still valid and their answers worthy for the discussion of this op.

1. How is alcohol and/or other drug use (AOD) relevant to giving?
2. Aside from AOD use, how do you discern whether to give or not?
3. What do you read scripture to say on the matter(s)?

1. Some Christians may consider giving to those dependent of alcohol or other drugs a reason for compassion. Others may take the opposite view, believing their generosity will be used to support the addiction and, thereby, be money wasted, money not positively effecting the poverty the generosity is hoped to address. I happen to know a little about this particular matter, having been an addict, having been homeless, having worked professionally in a residential drug treatment facility, and having several decades experience in various ministries serving the poor in various ways (grate patrols, soup kitchens, food banks, prayer walks, clothing distribution, etc.).
2. Whatever personal metrics are thought relevant should never contradict scripture. Continuing on, for example, with the first question, I happen to know that AOD us is less among the homeless than it is the poor who are housed. Depending on other circumstances, AOD use among the housed poor can be anywhere between 10 to 25% higher than the homeless and between the poverty level and it's double the likelihood of AOD use doubles. In the social sciences AOD use is considered a "primary diagnosis," a condition that must be treated first before success in any other arena is likely. I, therefore, do not give to anyone when the occasion to do so arises if the other person is high... unless I believe God is leading me to do otherwise. I am also much more inclined to buy someone groceries, a meal, possibly sit with them while eating sharing the meal amidst investigative conversation, offer them work, and almost always to accompany all generosity with the gospel.
3. Scripture provides diverse direction regarding giving to the poor. On one hand caring for widows and orphans (and by extension those among the poor for other reasons) is part of the religion God honors (Jms. 1:27), but God also directed Paul to unequivocally state a person should not expect to eat if they do not also work (2 Thes. 3:10). That was written in the context of his (and the other apostles') own need and those "leading an undisciplined life, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies." The scriptural precedent was to first give within the body, but never at the expense of those outside of the body of Christ because scripture also connect such generosity toward our enemies (Rom. 12:20). standards set forth in scripture are fairly simple and can be reduced to two easily remembered metrics: giving should be a) cheerful and generous, b) according to one's ability and God's enabling, c) based on real need, and/or the leading of the Spirit.

That's a start. Your answers to the questions asked? Anyone else?

 

[Buff Scott Jr.]

Thank you for your explanations, Joseb.