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I would like to know from the people who visit Christian-forum. net about their view on what constitutes compassion. Here is a short story with two questions. Feel free to answer them as you are led.
There is a well known addict who roams a particular neighborhood everyday begging for alms. One morning he walks up to a young man who resides in the neighborhood and begs for money. The young man talks to the addict for a while, but he refuses to give the addict any money and continues on his way. Some time later another young man who is on his way to work walks by. The addict walks up to him and begins to beg once again. The young man reaches into his pocket and gives the addict some money. The addict takes the money and goes on his way. That evening he is found dead from an overdose.
Now I have two questions.
Question #1 Who killed the addict ? Question #2 Which one of the two men showed compassion?
Whose Compassion
MultiQuote
#3 Guest_lovingHIM_*
Posted 08 October 2005 - 06:14 PM
Is there a right or wrong answer here? 
I would say: The addict killed himself. Neither showed compasion. Why, because they both new he was an addict, giving him money you know it was going to go to his habit. Although, this man did take the time to speak to him. And the other man who gave him money did not take the time to speak to him and only handed him money for his addiction.
There was a situation I was in like this a few years back. There was a well known drug addict who would take her young daughter through parking lots with her and ask for money so she could get her daughter something to eat. Everyone knew that was not the case. It always went to drugs. She approached me one day. I talked with her for awhile and offered to her and her daughter out to or shopping for some food. SHe refused. She wanted the cash. I almost begged this woman to go out for something to eat but she just wouldn't go. I felt terrible but I knew if I gave her the money she would have used it for drugs.
I would say: The addict killed himself. Neither showed compasion. Why, because they both new he was an addict, giving him money you know it was going to go to his habit. Although, this man did take the time to speak to him. And the other man who gave him money did not take the time to speak to him and only handed him money for his addiction.
There was a situation I was in like this a few years back. There was a well known drug addict who would take her young daughter through parking lots with her and ask for money so she could get her daughter something to eat. Everyone knew that was not the case. It always went to drugs. She approached me one day. I talked with her for awhile and offered to her and her daughter out to or shopping for some food. SHe refused. She wanted the cash. I almost begged this woman to go out for something to eat but she just wouldn't go. I felt terrible but I knew if I gave her the money she would have used it for drugs.
#4
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Posted 08 October 2005 - 06:19 PM
lovingHIM, on Oct 8 2005, 06:14 PM, said:
Is there a right or wrong answer here?
I would say: The addict killed himself. Neither showed compasion. Why, because they both new he was an addict, giving him money you know it was going to go to his habit. Although, this man did take the time to speak to him. And the other man who gave him money did not take the time to speak to him and only handed him money for his addiction.
There was a situation I was in like this a few years back. There was a well known drug addict who would take her young daughter through parking lots with her and ask for money so she could get her daughter something to eat. Everyone knew that was not the case. It always went to drugs. She approached me one day. I talked with her for awhile and offered to her and her daughter out to or shopping for some food. SHe refused. She wanted the cash. I almost begged this woman to go out for something to eat but she just wouldn't go. I felt terrible but I knew if I gave her the money she would have used it for drugs.
I would say: The addict killed himself. Neither showed compasion. Why, because they both new he was an addict, giving him money you know it was going to go to his habit. Although, this man did take the time to speak to him. And the other man who gave him money did not take the time to speak to him and only handed him money for his addiction.
There was a situation I was in like this a few years back. There was a well known drug addict who would take her young daughter through parking lots with her and ask for money so she could get her daughter something to eat. Everyone knew that was not the case. It always went to drugs. She approached me one day. I talked with her for awhile and offered to her and her daughter out to or shopping for some food. SHe refused. She wanted the cash. I almost begged this woman to go out for something to eat but she just wouldn't go. I felt terrible but I knew if I gave her the money she would have used it for drugs.
Loving,
I am with you. I have had similar situations as well. When I asked a man who everyone knew was a professional begger if he wanted a job, the answer was no - he made more money begging than working! I was amazed. That man moved on later after that answer was given to one too many people. I think the addict killed himself, not the two people who talked to him.
JESUS CHRIST is the LORD, my SAVIOR, and my FRIEND.
Blessings in the NAME ABOVE ALL NAMES, JESUS CHRIST
Blessings in the NAME ABOVE ALL NAMES, JESUS CHRIST
#5 Guest_lifeinhim61_*
Posted 08 October 2005 - 06:20 PM
Appy, you're so right... there is no way of knowing. I think they both showed compassion... God does not expect us to know what the person is going to do with the money they are given. If they are Christian and begging, they are to be good stewards with whatever money they are loaned. If they are not, how are we to know?
How about another example... like those who were victims of Katrina from N.O.... they are given credit of 2000. Nobody knows how they are going to spend that money... they could buy drugs, alcohol or gamble it away... let's hope not! But if they bought drugs, overdosed, or bought a gun and shot themselves... I mean, the list goes on... they bought too much greasy food and had a heart attack! Geesh, I mean, if someone is BEGGING for money, unless you ask them what they are going to buy with the money, or just buy something FOR THEM that they need to bless them, that money will go to buy ANYTHING that the person wants.
Maybe the answer lies in our being more discerning of where the money will go once it is given away as 'alms'... we are supposed to do this in all the charitable givings we provide... like our church programs, our local police, fire department, etc. Why not with the people that are begging on the streets? Just my thoughts ;-)
How about another example... like those who were victims of Katrina from N.O.... they are given credit of 2000. Nobody knows how they are going to spend that money... they could buy drugs, alcohol or gamble it away... let's hope not! But if they bought drugs, overdosed, or bought a gun and shot themselves... I mean, the list goes on... they bought too much greasy food and had a heart attack! Geesh, I mean, if someone is BEGGING for money, unless you ask them what they are going to buy with the money, or just buy something FOR THEM that they need to bless them, that money will go to buy ANYTHING that the person wants.
Maybe the answer lies in our being more discerning of where the money will go once it is given away as 'alms'... we are supposed to do this in all the charitable givings we provide... like our church programs, our local police, fire department, etc. Why not with the people that are begging on the streets? Just my thoughts ;-)
#6 Guest_lovingHIM_*
Posted 08 October 2005 - 06:24 PM
Loving,
I am with you. I have had similar situations as well. When I asked a man who everyone knew was a professional begger if he wanted a job, the answer was no - he made more money begging than working! I was amazed. That man moved on later after that answer was given to one too many people. I think the addict killed himself, not the two people who talked to him.
I don't think either men actually killed him. But who had more compassion? I was very stuck on that one. Not sure what to say but figured there had to be some kind of answer. I was just guessin'.
I am with you. I have had similar situations as well. When I asked a man who everyone knew was a professional begger if he wanted a job, the answer was no - he made more money begging than working! I was amazed. That man moved on later after that answer was given to one too many people. I think the addict killed himself, not the two people who talked to him.
I don't think either men actually killed him. But who had more compassion? I was very stuck on that one. Not sure what to say but figured there had to be some kind of answer.
I was just guessin'.