I will discuss with you relevant, current homeless and homeless related issues as well as scriptural mandates concerning the homeless and indigent.
Panhandling, panhandler
The term pan and the handling of the pan create in our mind an instrument of the home and the hearth. Along with it, in the context of homelessness, come images of a wife and children in rags with empty stomachs. Our reaction ranges from rushing to their rescue to running from their plight.
But, is this the reality?
Panhandling and panhandlers are a complicated issue. Studies available today indicate that the typical panhandler is one who has recently become homeless through falling on hard times, or the opposite extreme- the professional panhandler who makes several thousand dollars a year from unsuspecting, caring people while living comfortably in a home and driving a car. Its just that panhandling is their chosen occupation.
Scripture tells us:
You will have the poor (and the fraudulent) with you everyday for the rest of lives.... Matthew 26:11, Msg.The poor are typically so due to circumstances beyond their control, as a result of bad personal decisions or a combination of both. My observation of the newly homeless/poor over the years from my vantage point at the rescue mission is that most victims of either scenario usually learn from their experience, turn to family and friends for temporary help and rebound quickly. A small percentage, however do not.
From this smaller group ultimately come the panhandlers.
In future blogs we will look more closely at the panhandler, his/her use of gifts they receive and our appropriate response to the panhandler.
I invite your comments, and I hope you will share your experiences.
panhandle
vb
US and Canada informal to accost and beg from (passers-by), esp. on the street
