One of the discussions I occasionally have with other Christians, and you may too, is, What to do when you see someone begging on the street corner.

There is no question that a person that has come to the point of begging on a street corner needs help. But what kind of help? Are they just trying to get money to buy drugs or alcohol? Are they actually homeless? Is there really any way to know in the short time we may be sitting at the traffic light? It is so easy to judge the person by looking at the new tennis shoes rather than looking at their despair.

There are lots of good ideas, like making care packs with useful items along with notes showing locations of shelters, soup kitchens, and churches, or grabbing an extra burger at the drive through and taking it back, or giving them the leftovers you are bringing home from a dinner out.

What does the Bible say? First, Jesus says “You will always have the poor among you.” so we will always have this mission. Proverbs 19:17 says, “If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord and he will repay you!” and Proverbs 21:2 “People may be right in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their heart.”

Paul says in Hebrews 13:2, “Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!” and Matthew 6:3-4 “But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you.”

My takeaway is that we need to look at these people with love and compassion and do what we feel the Spirit is guiding us to do. Whether that is a smile and wave, an encouraging comment, a tract, bible, care pack, five bucks, burger, or stopping and learning about their situation, I think what is in our hearts and what we do about it is what matters. And always say a prayer for guidance and for God to help that person.

Dear lord, help us remember that all people are our neighbors and need your love through our love. Give us the wisdom and guidance to find the way to show your love to those in despair so that we may help bring them to you and ease their suffering. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.