When people on the street ask for a handout it feels lousy to say “no.” Yet many homeless agencies and food pantries encourage that response.

Many years ago, when our older son and I were walking towards a theater downtown, a woman told us she was hungry and asked for some money for a meal. We took her to the pizza place a block away and paid for her order of a personal pan pizza and salad. Her gratitude was substantial. That experience made a nice impression on our teenager and opened the doors to a nice conversation on many fronts.

For those of us who want to help out but NOT give cash to that person requesting cash, here are some possibilities…

• offer to take the person to a local restaurant and pay for their meal
• carry soft, easy-to-chew, snack/breakfast bars you can share
• carry gift certificates/cards to a local grocery store (ideally, designated “for food item purchase only”)

ACTION: Maybe put a few soft granola or breakfast bars in your backpack, purse or briefcase to give to folks who ask for cash. The gesture of a snack will not always be met with appreciation, but it’s the thought that counts, right?!?

Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!

Lectionary Texts for this Sunday, September 3, 2017:

• Exodus 3:1-15 and Psalm 105:1-6, 23-26, 45b
• Jeremiah 15:15-21 and Psalm 26:1-8
• Romans 12:9-21
• Matthew 16:21-28