Within the
last week I drove by an entire family along the road near Wal-Mart in Fairfield.
They had a very neatly printed sign asking for help.
It set up a
moral dilemma for me. Let me see if I can explain. I like to think I am a
giving, caring person who is compassionate and grateful for my blessings. But I
did nothing to help the family. I drove
right past them.
Since then,
I have had four independent sources tell me this is the third time this family
has toured Fairfield….the home of friendly people. We are a good Christian
community known for our generosity. I saw people drop off food and gas cards to
the stranded family because they wanted to help.
The
Fairfield Police have their hands tied on matters like this. If the beggers use
a sign to solicit help, it’s considered a free speech issue. If the road is
someway blocked or private property is violated, police can intervene.
Otherwise they can’t stop this type of commerce.
Panhandlers can’t solicit you verbally for
money. If they do, the cops can intercede. But that was not the case with the
family near Wal-Mart.
There will
be some who consider my comments to be at conflict with my professed Christian
values. To them, I stand defenseless.
I give to
other charities where I am certain of the destination of my funds. You see, I
grew up near St. Louis and have experienced panhandling at its highest level.
To me, a destitute family standing near the biggest store in town, displaying
small children as props, and doing it like it’s a reoccurring summer
tour…..smells.
I won’t be
part of it….because I won’t be used.
Luke 6:30. A destitute, homeless family has to keep their children with them. They are not props. Did you stop to consider that they may be "touring" because they only get enough donations to get a cheap motel room for one night? Did you even bother to talk with them to find out their situation? Or did you just assume they were throwaway people? You are correct, you stand defenseless.
ReplyDeleteMariann May: Unless you know the EXACT circumstances of this - on any other homeless - family, you are speaking out of turn. Unfortunately, those in genuine need and who are in distress have their cause blunted by “cheaters”. They pose as dire homeless, yet are common panhandlers preying on fine people who are conditioned to serve a perceived need. I grew up in Fairfield but moved away long ago. Stories such as this still tug at my heartstrings but I have to constantly remind myself of the plethora of beggars - not all really as such - working the intersections of my nearest large city, Charlotte North Carolina. Early in the spring, a TV station caught some shabbily-dressed “homeless people” - complete with a child as a selling point - packing up after a successful day of fleecing innocent, good hearted people and walking a block and a half away and getting into a year-old Lexus.
ReplyDeleteBet Luke 6:30 doesn’t cover such a circumstance.
Wouldn't the same be true for someone who just drove by and assumed they were scammers, then decided to talk about those people? They'd also be speaking out of turn.
DeleteLuke 6:30 does cover that exact circumstance. It doesn't say "Give to someone who asks of you, but only if you can prove they actually need it." The very next line is, "do to others as you would have them do to you." If you would like even more clarification, here is the next paragraph:
32 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. 35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful."
We're supposed to be kind and giving even to people who might not deserve it. That's true mercy. That's true kindness. That's God's Love.
Wow. Granted you cannot give to everyone, however to write a blog damning this family because of their situation and accusing them of using their children as props is a dick move. Don’t profess to be a Christian, because you’re not.
ReplyDeleteYou know what a "dick" move is Irene? It's calling a person a name like a "dick" in public media. Perhaps you could channel your aggression into helping the people you are so fervently protecting instead of acting penile yourself.
ReplyDeleteThis is not any different than Facebook. I think he has been called a dick or penis on there (or something like it) many times. Who gives a crap? Everyone wants a reason to fight in public I guess.
DeleteI am one of the helpers. I have the authority to call a fool out on his aggression. Make no mistake, he is an aggressor and an unabashed bully.
ReplyDeleteOnly a bully would make these persons the subject of his small town fodder. A real journalist would have stopped, asked questions and maybe address the issue of homelessness and poverty in this county. Instead he is lazy, doing the most cowardly and least amount of work by sitting on his brains and typing out regurgitated slop so the sheep can chew their cud.
Interesting ..., what was your degree in? I’m not a Christian , but think I would’ve stopped to at least talk to them . Find out what their situation was/is. It much easier to listen to all the good gossiping Christians of Fairfield who to me seem that they like to judge , rather than practice what their Jesus preached. I’m sure your God will bring this up to you again when you face him Upjohn your judgement day. Good luck in the meantime.
ReplyDeleteDr Christopher Brown
Dr. Brown, you have a good point.
ReplyDelete