Pandhandling and Christian Duty, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul's approach to works of mercy

Christian duty and panhandlers. What’s the right thing to do? For
a long time I’ve struggled when approached by panhandlers, people
on the street asking for money. I want to help, but I don’t want
to be taken advantage of, or feed an addiction, or endanger
myself. As a Catholic, as a Christian, I know helping the less
fortunate is central to my faith. In one of the most famous
passages from Scripture, in the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus says in
a parable ‘whatever you did for one of these least brothers of
mine, you did for me.’ ‘For I was hungry and you gave me food, I
was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed
me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison
and you visited me.’


Faith Full is a Catholic podcast hosted by Tony Ganzer. This
episode features Gary Sole, the CEO of Society of St. Vincent de
Paul in the Diocese of Cleveland, learn more at
https://svdpcle.org/ 


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 When you really think about the Gospel of Matthew, and what
Jesus says about the “least of these”…there’s no waffling here.
These are what are called the Corporal Works of Mercy, which the
US Conference of Catholic Bishops says are “found in the
teachings of Jesus and give us a model for how we should treat
all others, as if they were Christ in disguise.” But does this
mean if someone walks up to me I need to give money every time?
When working in European city centers, or downtown Phoenix or
Cleveland, I would try to have some food to offer instead of
money, but is that enough? The US Catholic Bishops say giving
alms to the poor is best done this way: “Donate money to
organizations that have the ability to provide support and
services for those in need. Do research and find organizations
that put people in need first, rather than profit.” That seems
sensible…and yet when I’m approached on the street I feel faced
with a flesh and blood person asking me for help. But do they
really need help? One reason I’m so torn on this is probably the
effect of local TV news...