Would Jesus Give to Panhandlers?
By Leaurie Noordermeer
Spare change is easiest, but other gifts can be a greater blessing.
I do not have a simple answer for those who ask for our spare change. Many people hope that a Christian like me who works in an emergency shelter would have one but I don’t.
However, I do know my homeless friends long to be treated with respect and dignity. They no more want to be lumped together than you or I want one media-defined image of “church” or “Christian” to stand for all of us. Homeless people long to be listened to and really heard, as the rest of us.
More people are homeless than most of us imagine. Every night thousands of Canadians have no other option than to stay in an emergency shelter. Even more disturbing are the large numbers of people who are sleeping on the streets or “in the rough.”
What would Jesus do? We know that Jesus had special care for the poor. He even kept a special money box with funds for the poor. If the poor were of concern to Jesus, they should be of concern to us. If you want to show Christ’s compassion for the poor, find out what resources are available in your local community and generously support them.
Be ready to help someone navigate his way through the bureaucracy to get the help and support needed. Do give money to individuals, if it makes sense. Or take the time to buy a cup of coffee or a meal. Remember that transportation is always difficult, so a bus ticket may be even more appreciated.
You can also advocate for changes with city, provincial and federal politicians—changes that will deal not just with the symptoms but the real issues of inadequate funding for those on social assistance and the lack of safe, affordable housing. Ask politicians to show care for those who are vulnerable in our communities.
Many Canadians look at homelessness and want to blame the victims rather than see the strengths of those who are surviving. There is an alarming trend towards criminalizing a variety of street activities and classifying certain individuals as the “unworthy poor.” You can ask politicians to resist attempts to criminalize the poor and the homeless. Fines and jail are not good answers.
The issue of homelessness is complex and overwhelming to most of us. When it personally intersects our lives—when someone asks us for money—we want to do the right thing. We want to do what Jesus would do.
Jesus broke through all stigmas and stereotypes. Jesus defended the vulnerable. Jesus gave with generosity, preserving the dignity of those He gave to. Jesus treated everyone equally and with respect.
Would Jesus give to panhandlers? At least He would not have simply passed by or looked the other way. He wouldn’t have seen a “panhandler” at all, but a unique, precious child of God. He might even have recalled the words of the prophet Micah, who summarized the Lord’s requirements this way: To love mercy, to do justice and to walk humbly with our God.
Originally printed in Faith Today September/October 2005. Reprinted with author’s permission.
Leaurie Noordermeer directs Rotholme Women’s and Family Shelter (www.missionservices.ca/rotholme.html), part of Mission Services in London, Ontario.
