I live in Grand Rapids, MI It is a region of about 250,000 people and like many cities of its size and bigger, we have a number of people at random corners looking for a handout at the stop signs.
I am always torn about what to do. I have no idea, if I give them any money, where they will spend it. If I stop, maybe they have a buddy who is ready to rob me, etc. But, my heart goes out to them and I want to help. However, often, when you give people something for nothing, that behavior is encouraged and I may actually be hurting them instead of helping.
So, I was in a quandary. What to do? I want to help, not hurt.
My solution was to have a roll of quarters with me in my car at all times. So, when I pulled up to a stop sign, I could flip them a quarter to ease my conscience then be on my way.
I know 25 cents isn’t a lot of money. They can’t even buy a cup of coffee with it, but they also can’t buy drugs or alcohol with it either. The good thing is that most of them are thankful and I get the customary “God Bless You, sir” when the metal coin is delivered successfully.
I feel better than just driving off leaving them empty handed and they have a little more than they did before. There is no way they will get rich off my 25 cents either.
It reminds me of a story King Solomon told his son many years ago when he said, “He who shuts his ear to the cry of the poor will also cry himself and not be answered.”[1]
Because I am out and about throughout the day, I often have seen the same people on the same corner and now we even have a little relationship developing. They see me coming and we exchange a smile, pleasantries and I flip them a quarter.
It may not mean much, financially, but we all need a cool sip of water in the desert of life. A smile, a kind word of encouragement and yes even a small gift of 25 cents is a little spark of hope and encouragement that lets them know there are people out there in this world who are generous, who do care and don’t have an ulterior motive.
The truth is, I get more out of it than they do. I am somewhat obsessed by it now. I give for me, not for them. Whatever I give people will never be enough, the biggest impact on their life will be what they decide to do on their own, not what I do for them.
I encourage you to explore the “Magnificent Obsession” and “Pay It Forward” in some small way. I can guarantee you that it will change your entire existence.
[1] Proverbs 21:13
