Please don’t be offended at my analogy. We routinely have people come by the church looking for handouts. They usually say they are homeless and need food. They often come because they have received cash handouts before. Who can resist giving a hungry person food? Here is the thing. With all good intentions, you are teaching people that they can come by a church for handouts of money…not food. They often say they need food but when offered food, they get to the point, and they want cash. It could be for bus fare or a meal…or crack or beer. The point is we encouraged them to come by the church and look for vulnerable people who will give them cash. Our logic says they will just go away if someone says no to their request because they do not have any cash. Someone thought the bears would just go away when they found out you did not have ham sandwiches and cookies…but they were wrong. You will do what you feel led to do…I understand that. You may unintentionally be putting others at risk. As a rule, we do not keep cash at JIBC. Our staff is directed to never give out cash or even imply that we have cash on the property. We do not keep cash on campus, so we cannot give cash handouts if we wanted to…which we don’t. If I give out cash to the homeless, what may happen when they come by and the secretary is here alone? This may sound less than charitable. Sometimes our helping can hurt. So let me share with you how we do help.
First, if you are approached by anyone who is homeless, in recovery or living at the transition house asking for money here is a positive option. Tell them they have to see one of the Pastors, Elders or Celebrate Recovery leaders. It is wonderful if you feel led to help them. Just tell them you will give the money through our recovery program. That may help keep you and others one step away from a potentially dangerous situation. Let our leaders handle the request. Don’t make the mistake of thinking because you feel safe, the next person they approach will be safe. Second, when I am approached for money, regardless of the need (my father died again, I need food, bus fare, etc), I tell them I have no cash on me and we do not keep cash on the church property. Cash is not a possibility. I quickly tell them I will help them. I guarantee I will help them. It might not be the way they want to be helped…with a free handout. But I will help them. For the hungry, we get them immediate food. We feed homeless friends almost every Sunday night. We always invite them to come get a hot meal on any Sunday night at Celebrate Recovery(and feel free to stay for a great program) and on any Wednesday night. We are also prepared for their immediate needs. I have given out many protein power bars and bottles of water from my office closet. We keep enough food in our church pantry to last them a few days until they can get to James Island Outreach for more in depth and sustained help. Because our church family is generous in their giving, I can almost always offer them several hours of work so they can earn the money they need. When I say we have shovel ready jobs, I actually mean it! Actually it is “rake ready”. Soon, our JIBC security team will be up and running. You will be able to immediately lead them to one of the security team members as well as a Pastor, Elder or CR leaders.
Does that make sense? It is not an emotional response that ends up hurting the people we try to help. It is a Biblical response, showing love and friendship. We are happy to build relationships with those in need and help them find the long term help they need. Be safe and act wisely not just for yourself but for others as well. Thank you for being such a loving, generous family of God. I love being a part of JIBC.
Pastor Tom
