Are you kidding me?

I belong to a webgroup, a community of military wives and girlfriends mostly, lately we've been talking a lot about homeless people and giving to charity. I'm going to quote a post made their today and a couple of the responses...

If you are going to come up to me asking for money...do it sober!

This lady was walking around the King Soopers parking lot asking for money. I could tell she was on her way to me, and I got out all of the change I had (didn't have any bills) to give to her.

Then she gets within speaking/smelling distance.

She proceeded to tell me how hungry she is because she has been homeless for 2 months and hasn't eaten in days. Slurring her words. She reaked of booze. Obviously toasted. I put the money back in my pocket.

1. I'm not sure where this new trend is coming from, but the recent public
   judgements of the homeless turns my stomach. Of course we all have the
   right to do what we please with our money. But the direction and
   implications of posting about it makes me uncomfortable, "but for the grace
   of God go I," and all that.
2. WOW! What a way to bring that holiday spirit of giving and being judgemental!!

The thread goes on for two pages, and it's mostly people talking about how judgemental the original poster is and how she should have just given this drunk lady her change (or how she should have gone out of her way to get her a meal or something).

I don't get it. I just don't get it. We pay tithing and we give fast offerings. I don't often (like almost never) give money to people on the street corner and I never give to anyone who is smoking a cigarette or reaks of alcohol.

I honestly think that with the current state of the economy that more people are trying to be better stewards of their own money. I think that people know, now maybe more than they ever have before, how easily they could be on the other side and I think that people are doing the best they can to handle their money in the best possible way. If that means not enabling another person's addiction, then so be it. I don't think that anyone should tell another person how they aught to handle their own money. I mean, if YOU want to buy a drink for every beggar you see, that's okay, it's your money, but I don't understand faulting someone for being a good steward of their own family's money. I guess I just feel like charitable giving is a personal decision and that no one should feel obligated to give, especially in a situation that makes you uncomfortable.