The previous post about homeless people got me thinking. We can all agree that it’s important to help out “the least of these,” and I decided that’s what I finally needed to do. We might disagree sometimes on how to help, but I know we all want to.

I’d like to share two great Christian organizations that I think will make great use of our donations. The first is Habitat for Humanity. You can read a little about what they do here. This is a great way to spread the love of Christ, give people a place to live, and it’s all done privately.

Another organization that directly relates to the last post is The Dream Center in downtown Los Angeles. Their mission is here. They can provide meaningful help to change people’s lives and show the love of Christ.

So however you give, do it with a humble heart.

I would like to argue that giving money to pan handlers in gas station parking lots and freeway off ramps is not a compassionate thing to do. I also believe that allowing homeless people to sleep and live in parks or other public places is not compassionate.

I also think that people who hand out money to these types of people are not helping, but making that person’s life worse. Whether out of guilt, misplaced compassion, or under the umbrella WWJD?, handing out money to pan handlers and allowing homeless people to sleep wherever they want is not compassionate at all. It might make the giver feel better, but their compassion is misplaced.

I’m ready for some backlash. The evil Mr. Blarg picking on the poor! However, if that’s all you’ve gleamed from my post, then you are wildly confused. I am picking on the people that give money, not the poor people.

Ready, set, discuss!

Is it helpful, Christ-like, or compassionate to give “donations” to poor and homeless people you meet on the street?