Later on I realized he was right. Beggars don’t have education. They don’t have the skills or the qualification to get a decent work. They’ve ran out of options when they started begging. Lecturing them won’t make them stop. Maybe before they listen to what you have to say, you have to give first, and then find a way to help them get education or government help if there’s any.
When we ourselves ran out of options, we also beg or borrow from our relatives or friends. Those who beg on the streets probably don’t have the kind of friends or relatives that we have, and their lack of education made them decide to beg.
The bible is clear about giving. In Sirach 18:15-18 it says:
15 My son, when you help someone, don't reprimand him at the same time. When you make a gift, don't say anything that hurts.
16 Your words count for more than what you give. Even dew gives some relief during a spell of hot weather.
17 Yes, kind words are more effective than the best of gifts, and if you are really concerned, you will give both.
18 It is stupid to be unkind and insulting. No one's eyes are going to sparkle at a gift that you resent giving.
If that’s not enough, here’s more:
- “Son, give alms in proportion to what you own. If you have great wealth, give alms out of your abundance; if you have but little, distribute even some of that. But do not hesitate to give alms; you will be storing up a goodly treasure for yourself against the day of adversity.” Tobit 4:8
- "Do not grieve the hungry, or anger one in need. Do not add to the troubles of the desperate, or delay giving to the needy. Do not reject a suppliant in distress, or turn your face away from the poor. Do not avert your eye from the needy, and give no one reason to curse you; for if in bitterness of soul some should curse you, their Creator will hear their prayer." Sir. 4:3-6
-Say not to thy friend: Go and come again, and tomorrow I will give to you, when you can give at present. Prov. 3:28
-"And in this matter I am giving my advice: it is appropriate for you who began last year not only to do something but even to desire to do something - now finish doing it, so that your eagerness may be matched by completing it according to your means. For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has - not according to what one does not have. I do not mean that there should be relief for others and pressure on you, but it is a question of a fair balance between your present abundance and their need, so that their abundance may be for your need, in order that there may be a fair balance." 2Cor. 8:10-14
-Do good to your friend before you die, and according to your ability stretch out your hand, and give to the poor. Before your death work justice; for in hell there is no finding food. Ecclus. 14: 13, 17.
-Sell what you possess, and give alms; make to yourselves bags which grow not old, a treasure in heaven that fails not, where no thief approaches, nor moth corrupts. Luke 12:33
-Do not withhold him from doing good who is able: if you are able, do good yourself also. Prov. 3:27
-"Let not your hand be open to receive and clenched when it is time to give." Sirac 4:31
-As in all things you abound in faith, and the word, and knowledge, and all carefulness: moreover also in your charity towards us, so in this grace may you also abound. I speak not as commanding, but by the carefulness of others, approving also the good disposition of your charity. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that being rich he became poor, for your sakes; that through his poverty you might be rich. 2 Cor. 8:7-9
-"On a man generous with food, blessings are invoked, and this testimony to his goodness is lasting..." Sirac 31:23
-He that is inclined to mercy shall be blessed; for of his bread he has given to the poor. Prov. 22:9
-Let my counsel be acceptable to you, and redeem your sins with alms, and your iniquities with works of mercy to the poor: perhaps he will forgive your offenses. Dan. 4:24
-In this present time let your abundance supply their want, that their abundance also may supply your want. 2 Cor. 8:14
-He that shows mercy to the poor shall be blessed. Prov. 14:21
-Whosoever shall give to drink to one of these little ones a cup of cold water only, in the name of a disciple, amen I say to you, he shall not lose his reward. Matt. 10:42
-"Alms atone for sins. He who does a kindness is remembered afterward; when he falls, he finds a support." Sirac 3:29b-30
-Blessed is he that understands concerning the needy and the poor: the Lord will deliver him in the evil day. The Lord preserve him and give him life, and make him blessed upon earth, and deliver him not up to the will of his enemies. Ps 40 in the DR is Ps. 41:1-2
-Help the poor because of the commandment: and send him not away empty-handed because of his poverty. Lose thy money for thy brother and thy friend, and hide It not under a stone to be lost. Place thy treasures in the commandments of the Most High, and it shall bring thee more profit than gold. Shut up alms in the heart of the poor, and it shall obtain help for thee against all evil. Better than the shield of the mighty, and better than the spear; it shall fight for thee against thy enemy. Ecclus. 29:12-17
-"For kindness to a father will not be forgotten, and will be credited to you against your sins; in the day of your distress it will be remembered in your favor; like frost in fair weather, your sins will melt away. Whoever forsakes a father is like a blasphemer, and whoever angers a mother is cursed by the Lord." Sir. 3:15-17
- Honor the Lord with your substance, and give him the first of all fruits; and your barns shall be filled with abundance, and your presses shall run over with wine. Prov. 3:9-10
- He who sows sparingly shall also reap sparingly; and he that sows in blessings shall also reap in blessings. 2Cor. 9:6
- "Give alms from your possessions. Do not turn your face away from any of the poor, and God's face will not be turned away from you.” Tobit 4:7-11
- “Almsgiving frees one from death, and keeps one from going into the dark abode.” Tobit 4:10
-“ Amen I say to you, this poor widow has cast in more than all they who have cast into the treasury. For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want cast in all she had, even her whole living.” Mark 12:43
-“Eat thy bread with the hungry and the needy, and with your garments cover the naked.” Isiah 58:7
-“ When you do an almsdeed, sound not a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and In the streets, that they may be honored by men. Amen I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you [give] alms, let not your left hand know what your right hand [is doing], that your alms may be In secret; and thy Father, who sees in secret, will repay you.” Mat. 6:2-4
-“ Everyone give as he has determined in his heart, let him give not with sadness or of necessity [compulsion]: for God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Cor. 9:7
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