GIVE ANYWAY – Why I Ignore the Voice that Tells Me to be Greedy
*This article contains affiliate links and we will receive a small commission if you purchase through the links provided, though there will be no extra cost to you. Read our full disclaimer here.
“They’re just going to use the money to buy drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, etc.”
“They probably make more money out here begging than hardworking people with jobs.”
“They probably aren’t even homeless and it’s just a scam.”
There are so many reasons we can give ourselves for why the person standing at the intersection with the homeless sign is not actually deserving of our contribution – why we should drive away without a glance and not give them a penny of our hard-earned money. But I say we should do it anyway – we should GIVE ANYWAY.
I try to give something, no matter how little, to EVERY homeless person I pass, and I often feel grief at the times I am without any cash and am unable to help. It makes me feel as though I missed an opportunity to share a kindness. I know there are so many people who would say I am wasting my time, that the money would be better spent in other ways, but I say that kindness is never wasted!
I’m not an idiot. I am FULLY aware that some, maybe even most, of the money I have given has been used for things that are hardly essential. I realize that there are probably people who have scammed me out of money who didn’t really need it.
I have always said that I seem to be a magnet for people needing money. I can’t tell you how many times I have been out running errands and someone approaches me directly, out of a store full of people, to ask if I have any money to spare. Do these people ask me because I look gullible? Or is it maybe because I look kind?
I have realized that what these people do with the money I give really isn’t the point. The kindness is the point. Being a cheerful giver is the point.
I believe that God blesses us for our kindnesses bestowed, regardless of whether the person receiving was really “worthy” of such a gift.
I am only responsible for myself, for my own heart – be it generous or greedy – and it isn’t up to me to worry about the motives and actions of others.
Another HUGE reason that I try to always give is that I have four children, and children are always watching!
I want my children to see a mother who always gives, not one who looks away and drives off, not one who tells them that those people are undeserving. I want them to learn generosity and the power of the widow’s mite in giving even when we feel we don’t have much to give.
I have heard other children say that we shouldn’t give money to homeless people, that they’ll probably use it to buy beer. Clearly these words are straight from the lips of their parents, and this is NOT the lesson I want my children to learn. I want them to learn to be kind to everyone – even those the world may deem unworthy.
We all know there is power in giving and that it often feels better to give than to receive, so I could almost say that I now give to the homeless selfishly. I feel as though I have succeeded when God gives me an opportunity to give and I take it. I feel joy at being able to help someone, even in a small way, and I feel empowered to be able to share that lesson with my children.
As I said, there are times that I do not have any money, as I often fall victim to our cashless society, but in these moments I have learned the power of a simple smile. I read a book years ago written by someone who had spent a period of time being homeless, and I will never forget one particular lesson.
He said that when you are homeless, people go out of their way to avoid looking at you, and they especially don’t want to make eye contact. Because they don’t want to give of their money, it is easier to just pretend that they don’t even see the person there, to disregard their existence completely.
He said that this feeling of invisibility, of worthlessness, was perhaps the most humiliating thing about being homeless. He explained how much he grew to love the simple smile – the person who didn’t look away in disgust, but instead would acknowledge his existence, his humanity. For some, I’m sure this is sometimes worth more than the spare dollar in our wallet.
So the next time you’re passing by someone homeless, I hope the dialogue in your head will be different. I hope that your first thought will not tell you that they are undeserving. I hope that if you have always been one to pass by, that maybe you will stop instead.
I encourage everyone to learn the power of giving to those they see on the street, even if it is only a dollar. Learn to not just pass by, but to reach out. And learn the power in a simple smile when it is all you may have to give. It is worth far more than you might think.
~ Jennifer ~
