A friend of mine recently told me that he never gives anything to beggars who approach him in the streets. He then held me captive to an impassioned defense of his so-called "principle", too long-winded and elaborate for me to repeat here (or, for that matter, for me to have remembered fully).
Please share your thoughts. Thanks.
I wonder what type of principle your friend has. The principle of hard work? I have some friends also who don't give to the homeless , in conversations in the past regarding this topic. Their point was that everyone has the responsibility of caring for oneself, the spirit of "to each his own" was reiterated by this colleague of mine.
I was taken off by them, tho I do see their reasoning. For me, if we have means, why not share a little with those who are in need? By faith we are reminded that God loves a happy giver, and that He shall reward those who give generously.
There is a verse in Holy Scripture in which the Lord Jesus reminds us of the importance of helping those in need:
34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’Matthew 25: 34-40Linkback:
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