On my way to Seattle today I stopped by a man who was holding a sign proclaiming that he was an unemployed veteran in need of help. I gave him some money and a bottle of Diet Coke. Did I just enable an addiction? Was I scammed by someone who makes more money standing on a corner than holding down a job? I don't like having to second guess myself about kindness. When I got home I took this picture. Foolish or not, I often find that my heart is on my sleeve, I don't have an answer.
I know how you feel. I give money or food to lots of people who I think might look like they really need it. But like you, I am never sure I am not providing a way for them to get drunk. Other times I just walk on by. Something is telling me "no not this time." When that happens, I like to think that maybe God is helping me in my decision to help or not.
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