Beggars
Posted by Connor on September 8th, 2006
For behold, are we not all beggars? Do we not all depend upon the same Being, even God, for all the substance which we have, for both food and raiment, and for gold, and for silver, and for all the riches which we have of every kind? (Mosiah 4:19)
Working in Salt Lake City, I frequently pass beggars on the street. They attempt to stop you as you walk by, hoping you will give them some money. They sometimes try to explain why the need the money, some reasons usually being bus fare or some lunch. A few are even frank enough to admit they want money to buy some cigarettes or booze.
One cannot walk two blocks downtown without being approached by a beggar. I see four possible responses to this encounter:
- Be honest. If you have some cash, give them some of it. If you don’t, tell them so and walk on.
- Don’t be honest. If you have some cash, lie and tell them you don’t.
- Ignore them completely, perhaps going so far as to shake your head, or simply say “no”.
- Go out of your way to approach the beggar on your own, and give them some money without their having to ask.
1. Be honest. If you have some cash, give them some of it. If you don’t, tell them so and walk on.
There is a potential flaw in this method. If you give the beggar some of your money each time you are approached, you will soon go broke. Walking to a restaurant, I might come across four or five beggars. If I give each of them a dollar, I’ve just spent my lunch money. If I do this each time I walk downtown and encounter a beggar, I will spend all my money. Surely this is not a viable option, or is it?
2. Don’t be honest. If you have some cash, lie and tell them you don’t.
Since liars are thrust down to hell, this probably isn’t the best idea. Most people probably consider this a “white lie” (and therefore justifiable in their eyes), such as when a single woman tells a creepy guy who is hitting on her that she has a boyfriend. Under this method, the approached person would lie to each beggar, and go on their merry way, cash in pocket.
3. Ignore them completely, perhaps going so far as to shake your head, or simply say “no”.
This method promotes the division of society into classes, treating the beggar as a lesser person by ignoring their existence. They are looked down upon, seen as a bothersome individual who is up to no good.
4. Go out of your way to approach the beggar on your own, and give them some money without their having to ask.
This model of proactivity uses charity as a tool to bless the life of another, by voluntary action rather than responding to a request. The beggar is not put through the humbling experience of asking for a pittance; instead he experiences the goodness of the giver’s soul.
All these being said, many people are hesitant to give money to beggars due to the popular concern that the offered money will be used for the purchase of alcohol or drugs, thus wasting what it was originally intended for. In response to this, President Brigham Young said:
Suppose that in this community there are ten beggars who beg from door to door for something to eat, and that nine of them are impostors who beg to escape work, and with an evil heart practise imposition upon the generous and sympathetic, and that only one of the ten who visit your doors is worthy of your bounty; which is best, to give food to the ten, to make sure of helping the truly needy one, or to repulse the ten because you do not know which is the worthy one? You will all say, Administer charitable gifts to the ten, rather than turn away the only truly worthy and truly needy person among them. If you do this, it will make no difference in your blessings, whether you administer to worthy or unworthy persons, inasmuch as you give alms with a single eye to assist the truly needy.
According to this principle, we are to understand that it matters not what the money is used for. We are to give of our substance, regardless. Indeed, it is a commandment to do so:
Wo unto you rich men, that will not give your substance to the poor, for your riches will canker your souls; and this shall be your lamentation in the day of visitation, and of judgment, and of indignation: The eharvest is past, the summer is ended, and my soul is not saved! (D&C 56:16)
He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes [option #3 in this post] shall have many a curse. (Proverbs 28:27)
Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. (Matthew 5:42)
And now, for the sake of these things which I have spoken unto you—that is, for the sake of retaining a remission of your sins from day to day, that ye may walk guiltless before God—I would that ye should impart of your substance to the poor, every man according to that which he hath, such as feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and administering to their relief, both spiritually and temporally, according to their wants. (Mosiah 4:26)
In summary: we should give of our substance when asked. We should not hold back, being skeptical as to what the money will be used for; we will be blessed regardless.
So often we think we are doing well in life. We’re going to church, paying our tithing, reading our scriptures, saying our prayers, etc. Of us and our situation, Amulek said:
And now behold, my beloved brethren, I say unto you, do not suppose that this is all; for after ye have done all these things, if ye turn away the needy, and the naked, and visit not the sick and afflicted, and impart of your substance, if ye have, to those who stand in need—I say unto you, if ye do not any of these things, behold, your prayer is vain, and vaileth you nothing, and ye are as hypocrites who do deny the faith. (Alma 34:28)
I invite you to prayerfully ponder this subject, and remember these things next time a beggar approaches you. I will try to as well.
Great post! Thanks for the scripture references.
Comment # 1 left by Wade on September 8th, 2006
Well done. Appropriate for my area, too (University District of Seattle).
Comment # 2 left by mistaben on September 8th, 2006
Love, love, love this post! Wonderful quotations. Years ago the words of King Benjamin in Mosiah chapter 4 changed my heart and I have never been the same since. Who are we to decide who is and isn’t worthy of our “substance”? The word our should actually be in quotation marks as well.
I brought this subject up in my GD class last week and I got a typical response: “well, if they ask you for money then it would be better to buy them a meal or a sprite because you never know what they might buy with it.” I dislike this generally approved answer because we should not hold back, be judgemental, or skeptical. Who are we anyway to stand in judgement of another’s need? Why do we think that we are better or more worthy than the beggar? Are we not all God’s children and isn’t everything we have on loan from him anyway?
“And again, I say unto the poor, ye who have not and yet have sufficient, that ye remain from day to day; I mean all you who deny the beggar, because ye have not; I would that ye say in your hearts that: I give not because I have not, but if I had I would give.” Mosiah 4:24
It is all a matter of love-not only of our neighbor but of God as well.
Comment # 3 left by K.D. Clement on September 8th, 2006
I think there is a fifth option that I seem to remember hearing as an alternative to giving them money directly — donate to the local shelter or charity that can serve them in a more long-term way. (I believe that is actually what we have been asked to do in the SL area, no?) While I usually try to drop something in their bucket because the scriptures about giving have always resounded loudly in my soul, we might consider that such donations as an option or perhaps even an alternative. I think there are possibly better ways to help than just to give them money on the spot. Welfare principles cause me to want to look beyond the moment if possible and hope that we can find ways to help them help themselves a little more. (But like I said, I still can’t walk by someone in good conscience with King Benjamin’s words ringing in my head!)
Comment # 4 left by mullingandmusing (m&m) on September 8th, 2006
I believe that is actually what we have been asked to do in the SL area, no?
Asked by whom?
I agree with the principle of teaching somebody to fish, rather than simply given one. In this post I chose only to deal with the more immediate question of what to do when approached by a beggar. As you have pointed out, one should give freely in such a situation.
That being said, there is great importance in finding other ways to help. Giving a generous fast offering, as we have been counseled to do numerous times, is one great way. There are many other organizations that provide similar services. I try to find the ones with the least (or no) overhead so that my donation can be used in full for its intended purpose.
Comment # 5 left by Connor Boyack on September 8th, 2006
That’s the point MullingandMusing. Do we follow the prophets and scripture or not? It is in “the moment” when we are truly tested regarding our love for the Saviour. The light and knowledge the Lord has given me regarding this subject has revealed to me that it is not okay to question the motives of the beggar or to turn away an outstretched hand (unless we truly don’t have anything to give). If we examine our reasons for doing such we realize that our reason are are often based in our own understanding and judgements of others and not the Lord’s.
On my mission I was with my companion and we were in a K-Mart during our preparation day. While there we passed a woman in short shorts , a halter top, and frizzed our hair was shopping with her kid. She was “fake baked” and we could see half her butt cheeks falling out of her shorts. I never said anything to my companion but I made the mental judgement of: “trailer trash.” It was just in my mind that I made this judgement. As soon as the thought passed through my brain I had a vision of this woman in temple clothes and a halo of light was around her. The spirit said to me: “K.D. she is also my daughter and I love her as I love you.” I felt chastened, ashamed, grateful, and enlightened all at once.
I share this story because I think that it is so easy to slip into “temporally focused” or judgemental frame of mind. But the Lord asks for something more from us. He wants our hearts and not just our surface obedience or doing what is culturally and commonly acceptable (even in a church setting). When a soul asks for your direct assistance it is important that we do not turn them away and hope that they will be taken care of at a temporally approved institution or organization.
Why can’t we give to charity AND give to those who ask us? That is, if we have something to give? Becoming a Zion people is about loving and thinking in a way that is completely different than the “temporally correct” way we usually think and feel. The quotation by Brigham Young in this post really explains this well. The blessings of true charity can never be underestimated for the giver or the receiver.
Comment # 6 left by K.D. Clement on September 8th, 2006
I remeber the scripture that says not to try to judge why they’re in their situation, just give if you have. I try to follow that. -
Comment # 7 left by Okie on September 8th, 2006
“Asked by whom?”
I haven’t been recently, so unless they’ve recently removed it, there is a sign on the wall surrounding the Salt Lake Temple near the entrance asking us not to give money to the panhandlers as there are shelters setup where they can receive assistance — and by extrapolation, where we can give to the needy in an organized way that assures their needs are met and where our generosity is neeeded.
Comment # 8 left by Jason on September 8th, 2006
I think it is irresponsible to give indiscriminately. The ill-conceived notion that you are “helping” is incorrect
As long as you contribute to panhandlers you condemn them to complacency and dependency. It’s a form of enabling. I would feel guilty donating to a panhandler knowing that I was supporting their destitution just to assuage my guilty conscience. There is a stark difference between giving of your substance to help those who are temporarily in need and desirous to get back on their feet and financing career beggars.
Comment # 9 left by Ryan on September 8th, 2006
Ryan:
And what of Brother Brigham’s quote? Are we not commanded to give anyways, and let the Lord judge? Granted, I find it far better to give the person a warm meal, or help them in some way get on their feet, but when approached for some loose change, am I not commanded to oblige? I don’t do it to assuage my guilty conscience, I do it because God told me to. The problem boils down to us not being able to really know who are the career beggars.
Comment # 10 left by Connor Boyack on September 8th, 2006
As long as you contribute to panhandlers you condemn them to complacency and dependency. It’s a form of enabling.
That was sort of what I was heading towards. I don’t think it’s always a matter of wrongful judgment. I think that there are probably better ways to help. Again, that’s not to say that I never give to those on the street — I usually do. But I don’t think it’s the best thing we can do to help those with needs. Career beggars or not, there are many ways these people can get help, and other ways besides just handing them loose change that we can help them. (I just had a thought to have the address of the local homeless shelter on a card and give them that??)
Jason, thanks for reminding me where I had heard that encouragement to donate to charities rather than give on the street.
Comment # 11 left by mullingandmusing (m&m) on September 8th, 2006
OK, I’ll do it.
I donate to the cause partly by way of a ‘generous’ fast offering. There is also humanitarian aid on the slip as well. Are we not able to help the poor and needy throughout the world through this voluntary act?
You can not help everyone on your own to their satisfaction. If not everyone then who? Our local beggers may well be in far better shape than the poor around the world. There are many who would take advantage of the generous if allowed to. By participating in welfare efforts in the ‘Lord’s Way’ we will use our available funds in an efficient way, often through an agent of the Lord who has the gift of discernment.
Comment # 12 left by Eric Nielson on September 8th, 2006
(I just had a thought to have the address of the local homeless shelter on a card and give them that??)
Should this be done with or without a turned up nose?
I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I almost completely agree with Connor here. Sure there may be cons out there, but that’s a part of life. Evil exists. Turning away from others in fear of cons only brews more evil, the greatest evil of all (as repeatedly and repeatedly taught in the BofM) is the growin gap between the rich and the poor.
One thing that I have found to be very useful is trying to take time to talk to those in need. Find out there stories. Find out who they are and what they need. Talking with them and getting to know them helps you see them as people; individuals with real needs.
On the other hand, talking to them can sometimes point out who the crooks were. I once met a lady who claimed she was in need of money for utilities. At that time I was lucky to have the means to help her out and offered to directly call and pay the utilities for her. She turned me down. I don’t know what her story was, but I could tell it wasn’t utilities. (I have since seen her on several other occasions, with different signs about different problems. Each time I could see a van in the distance with a strange-looking fellow eyeing her actions. I still wonder what was really going on and how willfully was she out begging).
Comment # 13 left by the narrator on September 8th, 2006
I understand we have to be careful how we judge as the same measure will be used against us, but the idea of just giving to beggars on the street without even consideration of the real world seems to me to be a slight abdication of our moral agency — I’ll just give a little, let God sort ‘em out. We have not been created without intelligence or agency, I say we use both.
I’m not advocating any of the options presented so far, just pointing out a principle.
Comment # 14 left by Jason on September 8th, 2006
to give food to the ten
I’ve given a lot of people food. We have a lot less begging going on here, but give food, not money.
Ok, so I’ve given a lot of money too.
But I keep thinking that I should carry more food to give away …
Comment # 15 left by Stephen M (Ethesis) on September 8th, 2006
If the context of B.Y.’s quote is as you are framing it then I disagree with him. I lived in Downtown L.A. for awhile. If I had imparted my substance to every panhandler (literally 10-5 per block) I would have been out of money in a week. Then I would have defaulted on my creditors. This would have made me a thief. I would have given away my subway fare which would make me late for work. This would make me a liar. All of this would eventually put me out on the street.
It seems hyperbolic but I think the recommendation that we give to every beggar we see is a bit of an overkill as well.
Comment # 16 left by Ryan on September 8th, 2006
err what I meant was “10-15 per block”
Comment # 17 left by Ryan on September 8th, 2006
Should this be done with or without a turned up nose?
Good grief. It was just an idea — trying to point someone to a place that offers more than just a dime or two. I don’t believe in turned up noses, but I do believe in trying to figure out what makes the most sense in trying to help. If the Church has asked me (in the SL area) not to give to panhandlers, then maybe there’s a reason for it.
That said, I think giving to someone on the street, even if it’s not always the best choice, is more for me than for them. It helps me not feel so selfish, because they may not know why I walk past them even as I donate elsewhere, ya know? I want them to know and feel someone cares, even if they are doing something they shouldn’t do. And yet, I’m still not sure that is the right or best thing to do because I don’t want to enable behavior that harms them; I want them to find a way to get off the street corner and do something that will help themselves feel better and get out of the situation they are in (whether it be honest need or dishonest taking advantage of others’ goodness). Frankly, I don’t think there are easy answers for this issue.
Comment # 18 left by mullingandmusing (m&m) on September 8th, 2006
I’m with Eric on this one.
I see nothing dishonest about saying to a beggar, “I have nothing for you right now.” Of course you have money. You just don’t have money for them. There are lots of deserving people and places and causes that I don’t have money for.
Am I somehow less moral because I give money to the poor indirectly? Why is personally handing cash to a person in need more moral or more in line with King benjamin’s admonition? The people at the Bishop’s storehouse are every bit as grateful and every bit as derserving as that beggar on the street.
Comment # 19 left by Bradley Ross on September 8th, 2006
The people at the Bishop’s storehouse are every bit as grateful and every bit as derserving as that beggar on the street.
And I have a great deal of trust in the Church in how it distributes the funds for the sake of the poor — not just close to where we live but throughout the world.
Comment # 20 left by mullingandmusing (m&m) on September 8th, 2006
Perhaps a good alternative to always carrying food (impractical) or always giving cash (allowing the person to feed addictions) is to offer food, and if they take you up on it, give them a McDonalds gift card.
Comment # 21 left by Ariel on September 9th, 2006
Connor,
I applaud you for the compassion and concern expressed in this post. I disagree, however, with two things:
1) The statement: “We should not hold back, being skeptical as to what the money will be used for; we will be blessed regardless.” I think the point Alma was making (34:28) is that there is no personal righteousness when all of one’s focus is on oneself: “…for after ye have done all these things, if ye turn away the needy…your prayer is vain, and vaileth you nothing, and ye are as hypocrites who do deny the faith.” Ryan argues here that not holding back is reckless; whether that is true or not doesn’t change the fact that giving to a beggar so that the giver can be blessed is selfish.
2) I think the quote from Brigham Young was used out of context. After reading his talk, which was on fault-finding, I think he was using the talk about beggars as a parable. The paragraph immediately following the one quoted above reads:
So I wouldn’t be surprised if BY’s actual teachings on beggars were quite different
Comment # 22 left by BrianJ on September 9th, 2006
I give food. I luckily only run into a beggar about once a week. I do not feel comfortable giving nothing, and I don’t feel comfortable giving money. So giving food feels better and I think gives a better example for my children. I don’t think its healthy to raise them to ignore the people around us so blatently. I keep quart size ziplocs in my car with a juice box, granola bar & misc other items in there.
My husband sees 5 beggars a day and does not give money to them (we didn’t have an extra $10/month when we first moved here). I would like us to start donating to a shelter (now that our budget isn’t as tight as it used to be). I think that it might be good for him to know he is helping those people in some way.
Comment # 23 left by JKS on September 10th, 2006
JKS, I think that’s a great idea - to carry around bags of food and such. I’ve thought about doing some $5 gift certificates for local businesses. That way, one can assure that their money is being used for something of worth.
Comment # 24 left by Connor Boyack on September 12th, 2006
[...] his reading of Mosiah, the second Giver believes that he should give to all who ask him, without judging their need. He carries dollar [...]
Comment # 25 left by The Four “Givers” of the Bloggernacle « Various Stages of Mormondom on November 27th, 2007