I think most of us can tell a BS'er...If I think they're legit...I'll help...if not I just say sorry...no cash...

This is what Josh usually does.

I have offered to buy a few food and or gas... All they have wanted is cash... I have never been taken up on the offer.... A few times I step out carrying...they see it and make their way the opposite direction rather quickly...

I don't give period unless I feel good about it, which has been few and far in between.I travel between GA, Al, and MS all the time.I usually determine giving by one simple question to myself. If I was in their situation what would I do? My answer to myself almost always differs from what they are doing.

Sorry but after being carjacked you would allow agree with my current philosophy

Just depends. Sometimes I feel lead to, sometimes not.

This^^^^^

I have offered to but food and gas for people but have never been took up on it. I won't give cash. Had guy approach us one night outside a club in bham. We turned him down on g iveing him cash. One of the guys that was hanging out with us told him he would give him a ride. I told him that was a bad idea. The buddy told us but he plays the piano at the church 2blocks from hear.we tried to tell him but he didnt listen. Called about an hour later. Guess what he gave the guy a ride. When he dropped him off the dude robed him. Took his wallet and a few outher things. Luckily he got to drive away in harmed

Ok. I'm the guy with the not so pretty story.

Several years ago, my wife and I were on our way home from Hattiesburg Ms. We stopped to gas up and stretch our legs for a moment.

While I was standing outside the store, a guy walked up and asked me if I could spare a few bucks, because he had not eaten in two days, and he was headed back to his home town where he had family. My wife was coming out of the store and I motioned for her to get in the truck and then I looked him in the eyes and told him that I will NOT give him money so he could go buy alcohol with it. He just said "Yea, I guess not". I said a few other things along the same lines that I don't think I will share here. Then I got in the truck and drove off.

As I was leaving, I knew that it just didn't feel right. The look from my wife confirmed it and it made me feel embarrassed and ashamed. The guy didn't smell like alcohol. He had spoken politely through the whole encounter. He looked a little scruffy but not any worse than I usually did when I returned from the hunting club. The way I talked to him was very much out of character for me. I had just kicked the man that was already down. Even if he had been a out and out bum trying to scam people, it was not the right course of action for me to take.

So, almost in tears myself, I whipped the truck around and went back to the store. After searching the store and the surrounding area, and then hanging around a while to see if he showed up, we went on our way.

I had completely failed in handling it in a Christian way. I had even failed in handling it in a way that a decent human being would have. I can never apologize to him or offer to buy him some lunch and sending him on his way with a full belly and maybe some food for later.



Don't be like I was.

Something good has come of it though. I got on my knees and asked for forgiveness right there in the store parking lot. I have made it a point to make sure that never happens again. I vowed to let the good lord guide me in such things from now on. I believe he may have been placed there to see if I responded with compassion, or reacted with being a jerk. Of course the jerk came screaming out that time.

I have given money to people and realized seconds later that I have been conned, I have told needy people to pack sand and felt like a total POS later, you gotta do what feels right. Jesus taught that you should give to the poor, not the deserving.

Very good post metal. Obviously some good did come out of your situation. Good for you for bring humble and sharing your story.

I look at it like this. I've been given far more than I deserve, materially speaking and certainly spiritually. I've been in some very tough spots when it comes to money and I know first hand that some kindness goes a long way. I buy gas and food when asked. I keep McDonald's gift cards to give people that need food. I just feel like I need to help when I can. I've watched people take my cash and buy booze when they said they needed it for something else, so I know I'm getting burned sometimes.

Every morning an old friend of mine posts a verse on his FB...This mornings verse fits this...
Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good?
But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats.
Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it.
But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ.
1 Peter 3:13-16

I certainly appreciate all of you compassionate people and I want to be compassionate myself. More so, I want to actually help people improve their situation. Unfortunately, most of the time we help people like this we simply enable them to continue bad behavior. When we do, we are responsible in part for their situation because we temporarily removed the pain that would cause them to change.

I understand the dilemma you guys face when agonizing over a decision as to whether or not to help someone. I too am seeking answers about this and I too want to get it right in God's eyes. It's not an easy situation to understand and react to.

My Sunday school class is studying this area and we just finished a great book that opened my eyes on this matter ... it's called "When Helping Hurts" and its a good starting point for those that seek understanding in this area.

I don't have the answers, just pointing out a good resource and starting point if you are interested.

In the mean time, until God opens my eyes and shows me how He wants me to respond, I will never give them money but I will offer assistance in the form of my time, food, or other material resources.

I will not give them money. However I will offer to buy them a burger, put gas in their vehicle, or let them work for the day. You will be surprised how often they will pass if it's not cash. Beggars will be beggars. You can not change them.

I was cornered at a gas station when I was 19 or so. It was a man and his wife he asked if he could have some money for some food,they were hungry.. I told him sure.. I told him to go pick out what ever his wife and he wanted and that I had to get a few things and I would meet them at the register.. They did. I asked him did he need any gas while I was there he said no that the food was good enough. I felt as if God was working thru me. The man and his wife got in the car and left and thanked me for the food. Another time I was at a red light in Pensacola, it was a beautiful day. For some reason I looked over and saw a homeless woman. Something came over me and told me to give to her. I looked down and saw a $10 bill in my cup holder. I motioned her over and gave it to her later that day she was not at the intersection. Who knows I could have helped her off the street or she could have been buying a dime sack of meth The way I look at it some people may really need it and some may just want to smoke/drank it up. I did my part by giving it wheather I could afford it or not. I believe in Karma. What they do with the money is between them and God I did my part by giving.

I can always see it on their face from a mile away. I ask them if they have any money before they can ask me.

BPS, The one legged guy has been hanging out at the Cottondale station for at least 2 weeks now. I have been on 2-10 shift for 2 weeks now, he has been there every night when I get off. He seems sincere to me, I gave him a some the first night, said he needed to pay his car insurance. He gave the story about just losing his leg and disability hasn't started yet. I will see if he is there tonight.

I had a guy come up to me in walmart parking lot two days ago. The first words out of his mouth were "Are you a christian?" I said yes I am. Then he starts begging for a few dollars for food and motel room because he has a tumor. I offered to call the local church because I know they have a program where they will feed him and possibly put him in a motel room for the night. He just says "That's ok" and heads toward someone else using the same Are you a christian line. There is no greater feling of satisfation than helping someone who is truely in need but I just had a gut feeling that he didn't really need help as soon as I saw him. Trust your gut it is usually right.

WOW! Very small world I guess. You know I have given to some shady people and was pretty sure I was getting screwed but I had it to spare. His situation was totally different and he didnt seem to be high or anything but appreciative of my help. My son was with me that day. Due to all the gear in the truck, I guess he could tell we were preparing for hunting season. He told my son that he hoped he killed a really big buck this season. I didnt feel like I got screwed with him.

Now if he's been hanging out there for 2 weeks, maybe he is telling the truth. The way our government works it could take months for him to get approved and finally get a check. I'm not sure how long it takes to get the ball rolling on disability.

Crazy that I'm not the only one who has encountered him. You know if I had it to do over again, I would ask him some questions. Ask about why his leg was removed to begin with. If the whole thing really turned out to be legit, I have some connections that maybe could help him a good bit more than just me.