Some clients from work took me and some others to St. Elmo's a few weeks ago. It was great and the portions were enormous. I had enough left over for another meal so I took them with. On the way to the car a very persistent guy with no teeth asked us if we could help him get some dinner. It was interesting to see how everyone reacted. I told him "not today", which seems to go over pretty well with most people. But I considered giving him my left-overs. Instead I gave them to my pregnant wife who promptly ate it loving every bite. But I keep reflecting on the moment wondering if I should have done something more. This isn't the first time I've been in this situation, but I don't remember ever actually giving anything to people begging for food. Mostly I'm told that money won't go toward food, but in this situation I had food to give and I didn't even offer it. I've heard that steak doesn't digest well if you don't have the teeth to chew it, but it's probably better than nothing.
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I remember in Chicago, Gabe had just picked up a carryout pizza for us. Right next door, a man asked him if he could help him out and give him money for food. Gabe offered him a whole pizza instead, but the man said he just wanted money. You never know, but I think in this case giving it to this man or giving it to Kristy was selfless in that you could have saved it for yourself, but you gave it away. Way to go for making someone's day =).
oh I meant to say that right next door to the pizza place, was a liquor store. So after Gabe offered him the pizza and the man didn't want it but continued to ask for money, Gabe knew that he only wanted to go to the liquor store.
It is a hard decision. No teeth, no way to chew. No teeth, because of drugs, disease or no hygiene. If in doubt, pay a little extra in your fast offering. Your dad offered to buy beggars a fast-food meal, if they accepted, they got food; if not they got to be sober a little longer. I have seen some very well-dressed beggars in your part of town--they don't get my money. It is a business for some people.
I will almost always help someone out. I guess it comes from watching Dad when we were growing up. Last Christmas the kids and I were downtown doing some last-minute shopping and this grungy lady came up to me with her sob story. At first I wanted to tell her no because I felt like she had plans for the money other than paying her Salvation Army rent (do they really charge rent?) but Theron piped up and told her "It's Christmas eve! Santa's coming tonight." So I handed over $10 and she swiftly disappeared. At the same time I was having some issues about helping someone provide for her baby when I knew all the money she earned went to cigarettes, liquor, and other items for herself while the baby had nothing warm to wear. I was wondering if I should be helping her, like maybe I was "enabling" her or something. Anyway, after the homeless lady disappeared and I wondered what she was really doing with my money it came to me that we will be accountable for the help we give to others, they will be accountable for what they do with that help. I guess what I'm saying is that the Lord wants us to help everyone, they are the ones that have to worry about what comes next. But there's no reason to dwell on what you did or didn't do, just listen to the spirit and follow the promptings.
Maybe I'm getting cynical in my old age but I think the only thing really useful you could have given him was directions to the nearest Salvation Army (or homeless shelter or whatever they have downtown Indy). Then make a monetary donation to that organization.
Papa
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