3 Reasons You Should Still Give to the Poor (Whom You May Not Like)

I often hear many times that as Catholics we must help others who are needy, such as beggars. I want to be specific that the help here is material things (money, food, etc).

The practice is nothing new.

In Deuteronomy, Moses wrote like this,”If one of your kindred is in need in any community in the land which the Lord, your God, is giving you, you shall not harden your heart nor close your hand against your kin who is in need.” (Deuteronomy 15:7)

David also encouraged us through Psalm,” Blessed the one concerned for the poor; on a day of misfortune, the Lord delivers him.” (Psalm 41:2)

Even Jesus said that if you give, everything will be clean for you. (Luke 11:41)

However, do you still help them if you find out that they don’t use our help for their good? Let’s say that you find out that they use the money to smoke, or to do things that don't make sense.

Will you still feel empathy for them?

I experience that dilemma, too, whether I should give or not give.

I have been in both situations, when I chose to give and when I chose to not to.

It was hard, then, to decide which action was the wisest. Also, for me, it does not feel right when I give someone help only to know that they wasted it.

However, after going through experiences and prayers and learning scriptures, I want to encourage you to give despite the fact that they may not use it the way you want because of these 3 reasons:

1. It’s none of our business to ask that person.

If they want to use our help for something that doesn't make sense to us, it’s their business with GOD.

Our part is to be God’s blessings to them and NOT their parents. We don’t have authority to decide for them which one is right or which one is wrong.

We don’t need to judge them, even if they are wrong in our sense.

Why? Because there are many things we don't know about them.

Maybe they actually need to buy cigarettes so that they can warm their bodies. Who knows?

I don’t have the ability to know that instantly.

Unlike God who has known us much better, I am not God who knows instantly about the beggars, their problems, their struggles.

And thus, I cannot judge them.

It’s God’s right to judge.

Just like what St. Paul said. (1 Corinthians 5:12-13). He does not have authority to judge those outside the church.

He did not want either to be involved, for the outside will be judged By God.

2. It’s better to Give than to receive

Yeah, it’s true.

if we give, we will be more blessed!

St Paul said in Acts that we have to help the weak, and he quoted that Jesus also said that it is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35).

One day I only had a little amount of money in my wallet, just enough for dinner that day.

I remembered how many times I had almost emptied my wallet due to giving money.

However, God didn’t let me lack food. I remembered that my need was always fulfilled.

If I look back again, actually God enriched me when I decided to give my possessions to others.

St. Paul also said that those who give more shall be given more, and vice versa (2 Corinthians 9:6).

Plus, God Loves those who give with joy (2 Corinthians 9:7).

Isn’t that amazing?

Let me quote the next verses:

Moreover, God is able to make every grace abundant for you, so that in all things, always having all you need, you may have an abundance for every good work (2 Corinthians 9:8).

Wow, you can read more how blessed are those who decide to give.

3. Maybe there is someone watching your good deed and they also learn to glorify God from you.

What if there are kids who watch you on the far side?

Imagine if you can show the kids how to glorify God by giving help to the needy.

It’s beautiful if we can give a good example to others.

Jesus himself said that our light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father. (Matthew 5:16).

It doesn’t mean that you seek other attention first before giving (just watch your motivation).

The Cleansing of the 10 lepers.

Last but not least, I want to present a story about Jesus cleansing the 10 lepers (Luke 17:11-19).

They first shouted to Jesus,” please have mercy on us, Master!” Then, Jesus saw them and said,” Go show yourselves to the priests.”

And you know the rest of the story that all of them were cleansed as they were going away.

Yet, only one man returned to Jesus to thank Him.

Now, where were the others? Gone?

Well, there is no story that tells where they went. No one knows.

But, one thing we can learn is that Jesus kept on doing God’s works.

He did not really bother himself with the other 9 men.

He kept working miracles, healings, and so on.

So, let us learn from Jesus that what matters is doing what God wants.

Doing the good works.

That way, we can glorify God and His name will be lifted higher through our good works.

God bless you.