MONEY MORAL DILEMMA: Should you give cash to the drunk homeless man?

MobadderS

I have relatives who own an upmarket clothing store...

One day a guy went into the shop and bought a £300 jacket (I'm cautious with money so wouldn't even consider spending that much on a jacket)!

After the sale had been completed the guy asked the shop assistant if he could leave the bag there and pick it up at the end of the day as he was going begging!!!!!!!!!!!!

Since then I have been determined not to give to beggars on the street although religiously I am obliged to give 25% of my annual savings to charity, I split this up between various charities so it goes to the homeless, starving children, cancer etc! My family and I also put 20p each into a "charity box" everyday (I know it doesn't seem like much but it does add up)! Because of this I don't feel I need to give to someone on the street!

Going back to the question in hand I think I would stop giving the money as I wouldn't want to be funding the alcoholism! I think I would go and buy him a coffee!

springheeledjack

I've always wondered why a lot of homeless people drink a lager called 'Tennents'

Deggsy

Must live a sheltered life cos don't have problem with beggars in my area.
However 'sad as it may seem' if man was accompanied by a dog would almost certainly donate for animals benefit.

robin_banks

MobadderS wrote: »

I have relatives who own an upmarket clothing store...

One day a guy went into the shop and bought a £300 jacket (I'm cautious with money so wouldn't even consider spending that much on a jacket)!

After the sale had been completed the guy asked the shop assistant if he could leave the bag there and pick it up at the end of the day as he was going begging!!!!!!!!!!!!

I always take this kind of statement with a huge pinch of, not because I think you're lying I hasten to add but more to do with the 'sense of humour' of the buyer of that jacket.

Working in central london for a homeless charity I have never known a beggar 'earn' over £100 a day or whatever ludicrous figure a Sun writer has selected.

Yes I know people beg some are homeless others are not, and yes some 'patches' are more lucrative than others but £100 a day, no sorry.

Straykitten

MSE_Lawrence wrote: »

Here's this week's hypothetical situation for you to cogitate on:

Should you give cash to the drunk homeless man?

Should he be free to do as he pleases with your money, or are you simply hurting him by pushing a possible habit. Would you turn down his appeal next time?

Of course he should be free to spend his money as he pleases - no nanny states, PLEASE! However, I also have the same right to choose so I wouldn't give him cash. I would give him some hot food instead, buy him a meal or at least give him a shop voucher that he couldn't use for booze.

Lovejoy_Peacemaker

Learn to give freely of all that you have.

When you give, give freely and do not count the cost.

When you give, give in the right spirit,whole heartedly and in the purest of love, and you will bring great joy and blessings to all and they will multiply and grow.

Always remember, let there be no strings attached to what you give.

Give and then forget about it!

When you give a gift, give with love and be gratefull that you have the ability and the gift to give.

Do it freely and never do it for what you can get out of it.

In this way you will find the greatest joy in everything you give, and your whole attitude and outlook will be bright and right.

When you learn to do everything to the honour and glory of Life, the ONE within the heart of all, then you will have learnt the loving art of true giving.

ADAPTED FROM EILEEN CADDY'S "Opening Doors Within" and this is today's page in the book---30 october 2008--- a book of 365 daily meditations from the Findhorn Foundation, Forres, Scotland

Flower_of_Scotland_3

How about making begging illegal? If someone is found begging the police should pick them up, find out their circumstances and get them the help they require. No more begging no more dilemma.
Same goes for people sleeping rough, pick them up and give them help.
The average man in the street really does not know how to help people who are homeless, mentally ill, drug addicts, alcoholics. A sandwich and a cup of coffee is all very well but I do not think that is what they need or that is what they are asking for.
I agree with pigletsaver we need to get the government to do something about this ever increasing problem. It’s tragic! We are supposed to be a civilised society.
The term ‘homeless’ is a very derogatory term and not an accurate way to describe people who have various different types of problems. I understand that an addict has to recognise that he/she has a problem before being able to start any recovery. We’re not helping by calling a drug addict/alcoholic ‘homeless’ I don’t expect this helps people who are just ‘homeless’ either.

GrannyJ_3

The drink will mean more to him than food and we do not know why he in this position.

moggylover

I would still give the money -and a smile, and a kind word:o .

We live in a harsh World, in which many people find it difficult to cope and to fit in. I have worked with a charity helping homeless and addicted people: and some of the life stories one hears would make even the strongest amongst us turn to drink!

I was fortunate, I was not beaten as a child, nor was I sexually abused, nor was I "sold" to men by my own mother to fund her addiction, nor was I in any other way treated like a sub-human. I am not schizophenic, nor bi-polar, nor do I have aspergers, or autism or any one of a dozen other mental illnesses that could make it very difficult for me to "fit in" with society, or organise my life, or keep myself away from addictive substances (and where do we get off pontificating a difference between drugs and drink except in so far as we comfort ourselves that drink is a less harmful drug because it is legal?)

A gift is a gift, and should be given freely and without strings and as I tell my kids when they ask "why do they live like that", it could be any number of reasons why someone has come to that point in their life, and it could be any one act of random kindess that helps them to move on.

Many years ago, I suffered a breakdown, I was very ill for a long time and had it not been for my family my bills and so forth would not have been paid and my home would have been gone by the time I recovered enough to look after myself again: had I not had any family or my family had not cared, then I could have ended up like any one of those people, so yes, there but for the Grace of God and his gift to me of a good family, go I;)

Maybe the harsh amongst us should remember the old adage about "what goes around, comes around";) - especially in view of the coming recession:D

moggylover

panlane wrote: »

I'm reminded of an occasion when I was on a night out with friends when we passed a homeless man.

One friend stopped to give them some money whilst the rest of us walked on.

When he rejoined us, another commented that the homeless man would only spend it on booze.

The friend replied, "That's all I was going to spend it on anyway."

I think I really like your friend;) .