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August 16, 2005
No My Brotha...
You gotta get your own.
This morning, a "homeless" man approached me. He looked really strange and it scared me, so I locked my door and pushed the windows up. This guy had to be about 6'5. He was skinny & had long "Zulu" style braids on his head. He ear rings in his nose & ears. The brotha looked like he just stepped off the continent of Africa somewhere. He was wearing an all black outfit (cape included) & "snow like" boots to add for shock value. He definitely looked like he could've been an extra for "Shaka Zulu".
Anyway...Brothaman approached my window saying, "You got any change to spare so a homeless man can get some coffee?"
Before I could say anything, he spotted another person walking up the street and he approached them. I got out of my car & went into the photo store. I had to take photos of my car & the damage done to it by another car hitting it on Sunday. I dropped the camera off & I left the store.
When I left the store, I decided to go next door to get an Iced Latte from Dunkin Donuts. Brothaman was outside again. This time he keeps his distance. I'm glad he kept his distance because had he approached me, he probably would've gotten chin-checked. I would've been like, "Yo...Don't be walkin up on me like that son!"
Anywho...he kept his distance and asked, "Can a homeless man spot .50 to get something to eat?" I noticed that he was holding a little gray object in his hand. I inched a little in his direction to get another look and I was shocked by what my eyes saw.
This cat was bobbin his head to the tunes coming out of his IPOD. Yes...I said IPOD! I'm not sure if he purchased it himself or if he stole it, but the fact that he had an iPod in his possession tells me that he's not that pressed to eat. I said aloud, "You gotta be joking me man." This guy walking past me started laughing. Brothaman again asked me for fifty cent.
I wanted to say, "Heck naw man. Hungry men don't own iPods. If you're that hungry, then you better sell that joker."
Instead, I said, "I don't have it." Which in reality, I didn't. I usually feel guilty when I don't have money on me when homeless people ask for it. This morning, I did not. I actually glad that I didn't give him the money. I have no problem giving money to the homeless, but I do have a problem when act of begging for money becomes a habitual habit. They don't appear to be trying to help themselves. People like that try to get by in life without working hard. 2 Thessalonians 3:10 says it best "...If a man will not work, he shall not eat."
Posted by Timi at August 16, 2005 12:32 PM
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Comments
somebody prob felt guilty 'cuz she didn't have fifty cents. so she gave him her iPod.
bless the bleeding heart liberals. and the conservatives who help perpetuate the problem by ignoring it.
actually, as if the situations in haiti, darfur, and niger weren't enough, check this out: http://www.thematthewshouseproject.com/culture/onemanstrash.htm
Lord, Jesus, help us all.
Posted by: j.sun at August 16, 2005 1:43 PM
Haha! Yea right...I HIGHLY doubt that. Somebody didn't have fifty cent and gave up and iPod. lol...you are a comedian.
Posted by: Timi at August 16, 2005 2:00 PM
what was she gonna give him? her platinum card? fifi, her toy poodle? y'know, there's nothing quite like a guilt-stricken rich liberal, esp a white one. maybe she got an epiphany of a social conscience. (why am i assuming it's a female? i don't know. oh, because y'all are domesticated, that's why!)
ttyl, girl.
Posted by: j.sun at August 16, 2005 2:14 PM
You should have told him to pawn that ipod...have all the starbucks he want!
But seriously, question to everyone, How do you separate the ones who are truthful, from the ones who are trying to hustle you? I get the people that take the bus/train somewhere, and can't get home...to me, if you cant get both ways, stay home!
I don't mind helping the homeless, I think as a Believer in Christ, we should show compassion...but I'm not trynna get hustled out of my .50! I work hard for them two quaters!
Peace and Blessings!
Posted by: B.I.C at August 16, 2005 3:11 PM
yeah, b. i. c.
there's not an easy answer to that. i've known of people who follow literally Jesus' command to give to everyone who asks without questioning. but i think that that needs to be understood in the light of everything else that Jesus mentioned and lived in the context (the son of man has no place to lay his head... if someone strikes you on the one cheek, turn to him the other also... if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off...) not that we shouldn't take him at his word. it's just that kingdom living, i think, is extremely revolutionary and so contrary to our ways of life that we hardly know where to begin. except to seek first His kingdom and then expecting that all these things be added on to us.
anyway, whole 'nother blog. sorry. think it's fascinating myself, but my thoughts aren't quite formulated.
but this is some of what i try to do, B.I.C., give in terms of sustenance, if you can. esp. if he/she says he/she's hungry. often i've had someone tell me that they're hungry, buy them a burger and then have them change their story.
refuse to give out money. (how many times i've broken this rule, even when i knew perfectly well that they were going to buy drugs. tell-tale sign, "ummm... can i get some solids for this change?")
be involved in something where you know that your efforts and money go to supplying needs - spiritual, emotional, physical, social, etc.
(by the way, i'm not trying to order you around. just suggestions, right? and ones that i struggle with.)
but, overall, one of the most important things to remember is - that as Christians - it isn't our money. we're responsible to God for it. and he wants us to treat the least of these as himself.
Posted by: j. at August 16, 2005 7:31 PM
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah!!!!
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Posted by: Adam at August 18, 2005 10:36 PM
in the same sentiments as Adam *ahem*
HAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHAHAHAHAAAAA, yo *I* dont even have an IPOD!!!! HAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAAAA!!!!
Wow, sis, I swear you come accross the most audacious and unusual people. Maybe that's God's calling on your life...to knock some serious sense into these people's lives and spirits.
Posted by: Christine at August 21, 2005 6:35 PM
told you, sis. you're a meanie pants.
Posted by: j. at August 21, 2005 8:30 PM
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