When coming home last night and getting gas in Cottondale, a guy pulls up behind me in an older, little rough car and says something to me. I initially thought he was asking directions or something. As I walk up to the car he asks if I could "spare some money because they just cut my leg off". WHAT?? As I walk up to the car I clearly see his right leg is cut off just above the knee and it looks like it was done recently. It was kinda swollen and just looked like it was taken off in the previous month or so. He said he had been off work for several months and his family couldnt help him. The whole situation caught me off-guard and I didnt think to ask why "they" cut his leg off. But I pulled some money out and gave it to him and he seemed very greatful. It was different than any other time I have been asked for money. Surely it was a medical procedure or something.

I used to tell the gas station people "in need" that I couldnt help them. I just figured they were looking for drug money or something so I had no problem telling them no. 3.5yrs ago I found myself in a hard spot needing gas in an emergency with no money. My wallet was 20 miles away in my buddies truck where I had forgot it after getting the call from my dad that the nurse had called for all the family to come to the hospital where my mother had been getting treatment for cancer. We knew she was terminal and I knew that day or call was coming and I had only hunted 1 time because I didnt want to be 100 miles away deer hunting when that time came. The only reason I was down there is because my last conversation with her was her fussing at me for not going hunting because of her. So here I am needing gas and turning around was no option. I am now "that guy" thats going to have to ask or beg someone for some gas money. I couldnt believe I had talked myself into going hunting when my mom was dying in the hospital. I go to exit 45 because they had 2 gas stations and I felt I had better odds of landing some help. I pulled up to the shell station and ran inside to the cashier and asked her if she could help me with some gas. I had some checks but since it was out of county check she could not take it. I'm humiliated but pretty much begging for just some gas. About this time a guy taps me on the shoulder and asks if I needed some money. I said, buddy I just need some gas. $20 should do it. He then said are you sure that will be enough. Quickly thinking that I had to make it to St.Vincents, I didnt want to get to downtown and have to stop and beg again. I said man if you could spare $30 that should get me where I need to be. He said no problem. I thanked him and went outside to pump the gas. I was so grateful as it had been fairly easy for me to get what I needed. As I'm pumping gas the guy walks out and asks me what I had going on. In my mind he deserved to know as he had just done me a really big favor. I told him my Mom is dying in the hospital. He showed me sorrow and asked where I lived. Once I told him, he said thats where he lived. Here I am 80 miles from home and it turns out he lived about 3 minutes up the road from me. That made it easy for him to verify my story and for me to pay him back once all the dust settled but he told me not to worry about paying him back. We shook hands and he told me to be careful. Well leading up to this moment, for months, I didnt want to be there when my Mom passed. Call it fear but I just wanted to get a call that she was gone. I loved her so much and just couldnt fathom being there when she took her last breath. After being blessed with a man willing to give me $30 for gas, I felt that was Gods way of telling me I needed to be there when she took that last breath. I set the cruise at 90 and wouldnt answer the phone if anyone called. I didnt want to hear that I had missed her passing. I got to the hospital and walked in the room where the family was circled around her. Everyone looked at me with such sadness. My first glance was look at the machines hooked up to her which I had learned to read (somewhat) to see if she still had a heartbeat. Thankfully she did. I had made it. She took her last breath 30mins later. It almost seemed like she was waiting on me to let go.

I get emotional telling this story and seemed to have hijacked my original post.

Well ever since the day that random guy (Jason) who loaned me some money when he didnt have to, I have not said NO to anyone who asks me for money at a gas station if I had some cash to spare. Even though they may appear to be a little fishy, they may truly need help just as I did January 23, 2011. I'm not telling this story just to say that I am the greatest giver ever as I most definitely am not. But the next time someone asks, put yourself in their shoes. $10 is probably not going to break your bank. I know that there are professional beggars that probably make a fortune off of it. But that is not for me to judge unless I have reason to.

This thread got a lot longer than I originally intended but how do you handle a gas station beggar?

Tough story man, sorry for your loss, but I am glad you made it when you had to.i try to feel sympathetic for most folks and help when I think it is going toward a good cause. I usually give if the person doesn't look like a crack head or a drunk. I usually try to buy them the food or gas if that is what they are asking for to make sure it goes for what they say it does.

We were in Knoxville for a tn home game a few years back and there was a guy there asking for money for food on the street. Just so happens we were in front of a McDonald's so I asked him what he wanted to eat and I would go get it. He asked for money only and got pissy when I told him I would go get it. I looked under the bench next to his bag and he had a bottle of whiskey in a bag and a bag full of burgers already. That incident changed the way I thought about people asking for money.

I will try to help someone unless I can tell they are just a con. You just have to let the Lord lead you. Sometimes it can be dangerous. Just use good sense and be on your guard.

Thanks for sharing that. So many of us are so scared of being fooled that we won't help anyone. I know I've been fooled before but all I was out was a few dollars and maybe a little knock to my pride. I also know I've helped people who really needed it and that knowledge is worth way more than the money I gave.

You just have to go with your gut feeling. If they misused the money that's on them but if they needed it and you turned your back then that would have been against everything Gods word teaches.

I help all weather I believe they need it or not. Who know maybe someone really is in need and I don't help. My wife says I just to easy but I can't change.

I always ask the person that they need. If they are asking for gas money I offer to put gas in their car, money for food I'll offer to get them food, etc etc. You can tell the difference between who really needs help and who wants drug or booze money. Somebody really in need will never turn down gas or food. Somebody wanting something else and just the money will always insist on money.

This^^^

I have filled up gas tanks for people before and bought drinks and food...the second someone says no I'd rather have the money, that tells me that there is another motive in their head for it.

Great story, BPS. It's always good to keep things in perspective.

I had a guy last year when I was stopped at a gas station in Athens ask me for some cash to buy gas. He was in a fairly new SUV and had on nice clothes and shoes. I thought it was strange that he needed some help and looked like he did. He told me he had an emergency in Birmingham he had to get to but didn't have enough gas to get there. He totally caught me off guard. He walked straight up behind me and my car so I was a little uneasy about the situation.

I told him I would give him a few dollars if he filled up right here right now. He said he needed it for later. I then told him he was to close to me and please step back and I would think about it if he told me more about his emergency. He then got in his vehicle and drove around to the other side of the station and started asking everyone for gas money. Don't know if he got any or not.

Fast forward a year before that. Same thing different town. I was in Prattville and a guy walked up to me and said he was homeless and hungry. I told him I would buy him some food in the store if he liked. He said he rather have the cash instead so I asked him if he was going to buy liquor. He said no. I said you promise. He said I promise I'm not going to buy liquor . So I gave him some cash. I then pulled over to the side of the store and backed in to a parking space to do some work before I traveled to my next stop.

As I set there I watched him ask several others for some money. He then went inside the store. He then came out and walked behind the store and another guy joined him. He opened up the bag and pulled out a six pack of beer and a bottle of wine. After about thirty minutes I walked back in the store to use the bathroom. I walked over to where they were and said "you lied to me." He then told me to go F myself! I let it slide. Went inside and used the bathroom and got in my car getting ready to leave and this maniac starts walking towards me waving a 2x4 about five foot long he picked up cussing and yelling at me. I'm Like what in the hell is he going to do! He starts telling me to get out of the car because he's going to beat my ass! I knew he was drunk and harmless probably but he done pissed me off now! I should have just drove off but I didn't. So I roll down my window and tell him that I'll arm wrestle him for the rest off his beer and wine. He didn't know what to say then! After a few minutes he then starts laughing and telling me he was sorry for being such an ass hole. I said no problem! I learned a lesson here. He said " what is that?" I said think about the threat before I shoot a dumbass such as yourself. He didn't say anything after that and I drove off.

So now I just tell beggers no or I can call an LEO if there is an emergency they need to get to.

^^^This.

I just tell them that if they have anything they can sale or collateral I will but I just can't give money away anymore

I always give it to them if I have cash, never more than a dollar or two. Had a guy come up to me in a gas station in eutaw one night, spoke with a british / english accent....... yes......thats what I just said. Said he was in a bind and if I could please spare a couple of dollars. I only had a 20 and told him id give him some after I bought some ice. As I was leaving I handed him 2 dollars. He looked at me and said the following..... "I dont think you understand my situation" I bit my tongue for my first thought that crossed my mind to say and ended up saying something about rather than critiquing my generosity you would probably be better served in the future saying thank you.

In general, I try to be polite but I'll ask a few simple questions.

When this happens at a gas station and they are asking for gas money I will offer to put a couple of gallons in their car.

If it's at a food store and they as for food money I'll offer to but them some food.

I don't hand out money because too many people want it for beer or dope.

I kick em in the nutts, then take their wallet.

I won't lie...it usually depends on how they look. If they are rough looking I try to beat them to the punch and ask if I can borrow some money from them. Can't say I've ever had a clean cut person approach me asking for money. You can usually tell a persons true intentions pretty quickly.

I use it as witnessing tool.I tell them sure I can spare a little money but you have to listen to me first.Then,I share the gospel with them.I have done this several times and was able to share with them each time.

If there in need of gas or food, I'll spend some on that, but very rarely will I just give them cash.

Greats responses by everyone. Seems we all have somewhat of a giving heart to those in need. I think what sums it up is giving to someone asking for money it like tithing. Even though you are likely not going to have any say so in how it is spent. But the book says you will be blessed 100 fold so you will get it back in one way or another.

Thanks Yek, its ashamed that there are people out their just looking for a handout. Thats what makes people not want to help anyone at all. But like 300gr and Bill said, if they have bad intentions with your generosity then its on them and def not on you. I cant promise that I will never say NO again, but unless I have reasons to think they are trying to pull one over on me, I'm going to try and help them out.

Like others I have offered to buy them gas or something, never have had one take me up on it.