Should we give money to homeless people?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/abphoto/ / CC BY 2.0

Note: this post is in no way associated with the person pictured above other than the man
pictured says he is homeless and carries a cardboard sign asking for help.

We all have seen them. They're people God created. They're people God loves deeply. They're people who are spiritually lost and searching for purpose, and they're people who have hopes, dreams, family, friends, and purposes of their own. And we sympathize with them because we wouldn't like living the way they do, and we're sure they're looking for a little help out of their situation.

They're homeless people--the ones on streetcorners holding cardboard signs asking for money.

Now, I've been taught--more than once--that we should never pass up the opportunity to give money to these people. The lessons have come in a variety of forms: "God loves them too." "God commands us to give to the needy." "God doesn't want us to judge what they do with the money" etc.

However, I don't believe we should give money to these people. And what I'm about to say may shock you: I think giving money to them could be unloving.

Here's why. There's no way for us to know whether the person we see is addicted to alcohol, drugs, or smoking, or whether they are honest, clean people looking for help. If they're an addict, giving them money will simply fuel their addiction. Yes, the Bible calls us to be generous, but it also calls us to be wise. Fueling someone's addiction isn't loving them. It isn't helping them get into a better situation. All it does is burn up your money.

Also, if they were an honest, clean person, they might be out looking for a job instead of begging on the street (I once saw a homeless guy selling beaded keychains on a streetcorner, even).

And though God doesn't want us to judge people, God does call us to be responsible with what He's given us. He is the one who gives us the money. He commands us to give it to the needy, but He doesn't want us to fuel others' addictions or waste it. Think about it this way: for every donated $20 a homeless person spends on drugs, alcohol, or cigarettes, 6 third-world children go without shoes, one person who doesn't have a Bible has to go without a Bible for another day, and ten American families of four who are trying to feed their kids go hungry. Wow. You could really help a lot of people with the money that just bought that person more drugs.

How can we help the people on streetcorners, then? Well, if you're dead-set on giving, you can buy some food, winter gloves and hats and scarves, or other items you could give to these people (along with gospel tracts). Giving these things is still helping, but it's helping in a way that won't potentially hurt them (remember, not all homeless people are addicts...some are just unfortunate people looking for help. There's not much of a way to tell the difference.). You could also find out about rescue missions in your area, pick up some cards or brochures, and hand out the directions to the rescue mission. Those who are trying to get their life back to normal may go to the mission, where they'll get a free meal, a sermon, and sometimes even a shower and a place to sleep. Rescue missions help people get back to normal lives.

Giving someone money that they'll use to buy addiction-fueling substances isn't "helping" anybody. Giving someone a chance to get a better start on life is.