Street kids populate most intersections in Uganda’s capital city Kampala. I know many of the children by name, and when I’m stopped in traffic they regularly congregate at my car to talk and laugh with me.
As much as I care about the boys and girls, I don’t give them money; after 4 years of living in East Africa, I’ve learned that in most cases doing so isn’t helping them. Take Charles, for example. At age 11, Charles was a cute little boy. When he begged, he could make 10,000 Ugandan shillings a day (about $4.00).
Charles turned down a school sponsorship so that he could make money on the streets. As he got older, however, fewer people gave Charles handouts. His begging well ran dry and he had no education behind him to prepare him for legitimate work.
Proverbs 3:27-28 says, “Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it’s in your power to help them. If you can help your neighbor now, don’t say, ‘Come back tomorrow, and then I’ll help you.’ ” It’s natural, when a child sticks his hand in your car window and asks for help, to think, It’s in my “power to help” now by giving this young person money. But I urge you to consider prayerfully whether handing out your money would truly benefit the person. There’s a time to give freely to those in need, but sometimes helping in other ways is the greater good.
When we don’t receive something right away after praying to God, we can rest assured that He is choosing what is best to build our character and faith. God cares about us too much to offer quick fixes that aren’t in our best interest.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: 1 Timothy 6:3-21
More:
Read Ecclesiastes 3:13 and see what it says about God’s gift-giving.
Next:
What’s something you can do for a needy person in your life—other than simply to hand him or her money? Why does God sometimes not give us what we think we need?
dossk on December 12, 2012 at 12:36 am
Roxanne, What a great insight. There is a Chinese proverb which says that,”You can give money to a beggar to buy fish. It is still better, if you teach him how to fish”. The beggars in the streets of Mumbai [Bombay] has tripled in the last decade. There is very few Christian Organizations that are working for the upliftment of such beggars. There is no known Christian organization which teaches them “Crafts” so that they can be gainfully employed.
sbarclay on December 12, 2012 at 7:56 am
Thank you for this reflection, particularly during the Christmas season. I think often it is just so easy to give money and pass on by thinking that our “duty” is fulfilled when quite the opposite is true. Our “duty” is to emulate our Lord Jesus who would have given time, talent, and love. I do not want to indicate that we should not give of our financial blessing, but as or more importantly, step out and walk with your “neighbor.”
alli on December 14, 2012 at 8:05 am
sometimes as a parent you have to make wise choices. what is that baby going to do with money, buy candy to make him sick. its not being cruel not giving, there are times when God simply wants to bless but then there is wisdom. I am from african descent and sometimes get sad when i see portrayals of african children always begging etc. there is an africa that no one sees, people who have jobs families etc. but sometimes i think it makes us think poverty is a permanent condition, it is not, or it doesnt have to be. Sometimes we need to temper mercy with God’s higher goal.
mike wittmer on December 17, 2012 at 9:51 am
This is very helpful, Roxanne. I realize that I know so little about the culture when traveling that I must be careful and not jump to conclusions. I guess there is no substitute for really getting to know the person I’m helping so I can give them what they need, not merely what will make me feel better.
winn collier on December 18, 2012 at 7:42 pm
I’m sure you’re familiar with the book When Helping Hurts, I think you’d find some resonance.