Recently confronted while in Melbourne by someone holding a sign saying they were “hungry, poor and alone”, Compassion Australia’s MICHAEL CAUCHI looks at our response to those asking for our help…
What do I do?
My scrumptious chicken zinger burger with spicy sauce, lettuce and a sesame seed bun. Yep, all my attention was focused on dinner and the rest of the world had blurred out into a dull existence. Until a faint figure of a man approached me with a limp, dirty clothes, a somewhat dishevelled look and hands holding a sign which read, “Help me, I’m hungry, poor and alone”…
I was in Melbourne, attending a conference with the sole purpose to learn of the injustice in our world and the huge need for someone to stand up and give the voiceless a platform. When I was confronted with this situation. Talk about the irony. That day, I felt stunned, frozen and embarrassed. Not knowing how to respond or what to do, I offered him my meal, which he immediately turned down. “I’ve been eating chips all week,” he said. At a loss of what to do, I thought, ‘Michael, you need to have a response to this!’ So, my friend, I hope this blog will help prepare you (and myself) just in case you find yourself in a similar situation.
EFFECTIVE HELP? Michael Cauchi says Compassion Australia’s field experience coordinator, Andrew Merry, encourages people “…to wrestle with this issue before being face-to-face with a beggar”. PICTURE: Jon Ng/www.freeimages.com
“Giving your money can sometimes be the least helpful option, as it is a temporary solution. And the heart-wrenching fact behind all of this, is that in some cases our simple act of kindness can reinforce that begging is a supported way of life, it’s justified, and there is a future for it. I know that’s hard to hear, but unfortunately it’s a reality we face with this issue.”
What the Bible says about giving to the poor
Scripture tells us to give to those in need, and to be compassionate. Jesus says, “Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you,” in Matthew 5:42, and James says, “Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them ‘Go in peace, keep warm and well fed’ but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?” (James 2:15-16).
When donating money does more harm than good
Reading those Bible verses instantly challenges me, maybe there was more I could have done to help that man in Melbourne, by giving him a few dollars. But would that have helped him in the long run?
This whole situation took me by surprise, especially in Melbourne! I’ve travelled to several developing countries and have been confronted by the multitude of beggars, it’s quite overwhelming, but at least there is already an expectation of this happening.
In many developing countries around the world begging syndicates and human trafficking has grown significantly, where men, women and children are forced into the life of organised begging. I was able to catch up with Compassion’s field experience coordinator, Andrew Merry, who said “Sometimes they have been deliberately maimed so that they will be more effective for the criminal activity of extorting money from tourists and visitors.”
Giving your money can sometimes be the least helpful option, as it is a temporary solution. And the heart-wrenching fact behind all of this, is that in some cases our simple act of kindness can reinforce that begging is a supported way of life, it’s justified, and there is a future for it. I know that’s hard to hear, but unfortunately it’s a reality we face with this issue.
In my research I have found that there is a tension of experiencing the harsh reality of poverty and having a heart to help. It’s in those moments we need to remain open to God’s word and leading.
Personal revelation is key. Andrew Merry encourages each of us “…to wrestle with this issue before being face-to-face with a beggar.”
The importance of being prepared
If you’re visiting an area where donating cash could do more harm than good, prepare your response so you’re not taken by surprise. Most importantly, remember that a beggar is not an inconvenience, but a person who is loved by God.
“Make sure that you look the person in the eyes, reminding [yourself] that they are made in the image of God and are as worthy of love, respect and dignity as anyone else,” says Andrew.
• Pray and ask God for your own revelation.
• Be open and engage with the situation.
• Be creative – carry stamps, ribbons, hair ties, pencils and other small items that you could give to children.
• Be aware that whenever you give out anything you may attract others to you, so try and be subtle.
• Carry some extra food or gifts when travelling.
• Be aware of your surroundings, look for older “carers” close to child beggars. This could be a sign of a begging syndicate.
• Go to a nearby shop and buy some food and discreetly give it to them.
• Support local ministries that already seek to help the poor.
• Be gentle but firm with your responses.
• Be aware of organised crime in areas you are visiting.
• Ultimately, keep your heart soft. Don’t resolve to hard-heartedness on this issue. Remember they are people not beggars.
Allow yourself to be led
If I could leave you with an encouragement on this topic, it would be this: Don’t close off your heart when you’re in the situation of being asked to give to beggars. “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you” (Matthew 7:12). Keep your heart soft, and open to the Holy Spirit. Allow yourself to be challenged and moved, and, most of all, talk about it with others and seek out your own revelation.
Michael Cauchi is a communications specialist with Compassion Australia. This article was originally published on the Compassion Australia blog.
