The appearance of panhandlers on a city street may prompt many — including Christians — to dismiss them as bums who have brought hard times upon themselves.
But while even some Christians may shun those who are out of luck, we are different in God’s call that we should help others. Religious educators and those involved with social work argue that while the final decision to assist panhandlers rests with each individual, there are factors Christians should consider.
Craig Galloway, associate professor of divinity in the chair of Methodist Studies at Beeson Divinity School, said people should not always assume those asking for a handout are in control of their circumstances, stressing some may truly be in need.
“It’s not possible for us to judge who those are — to distinguish (them) from a brief look on the street,” Galloway said.
“One kind of perception or judgment that comes up … is, ‘this person must not have worked hard,’ ” he said. “In many cases, it’s just flat out untrue.”
Relating how panhandlers could be found everywhere when he lived in New York, David Gushee, Graves Professor of moral philosophy at Union University in Jackson, Tenn., said he and his wife struggled with the issue.
“I think, biblically, an option that is ruled out is a cold-hearted or angry rejection of the person himself,” Gushee said.
While such individuals should not be totally ignored, Gushee cautions against going in the other direction and indiscriminately giving money to anyone who asks.
Gushee said he learned in New York that many panhandlers not only beg for money to support a drug or alcohol addict, but some make a living solely from it.
“In either case, you are not ultimately helping them,” Gushee said.
While there have been many studies on the homeless, Dennis Culhane, an associate professor of social work at the University of Pennsylvania, said there is not as much information on panhandlers.
“But trust me on this,” he said, echoing Gushee’s comments, “there is still a considerable amount of people whose only route to get money is begging.”
Culhane said such individuals include the unemployable no longer receiving government checks because of welfare reform, the physically and mentally disabled trying to stay under strict income limits in order to qualify for federal aid and ex-convicts who just finished prison terms but haven’t been trained in how to join the work force.
While most people have a moral impulse to be compassionate to the poor, Gushee said they also should be wise in discerning how to best help such individuals. “The ideal response is to know who the best social service providers are.”
He suggests carrying telephone numbers of social service.
“You are sending them to someone who really has the power to provide the help they need,” he said.
Culhane said people bothered by panhandlers should pressure their politicians to start programs that would eliminate the need to beg.
Galloway noted that those who lean toward helping panhandlers — in any fashion — should weigh their assistance against what has been done for them.
“Remember the generosity of God to us,” Galloway advises.
(RNS contributed)
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